Name: Seth Neckritz ‘17
Title: Financial Analyst
Employer: Morgan Stanley
Major: Economics B.A.
What do you enjoy most about your current position?
I really enjoy working with intelligent, hardworking, and collaborative people on a daily basis. The learning curve was especially steep for me since I had an economics background and jumped headfirst into finance, but having a great team that openly answered all my questions made the transition easier.
What is a typical day like?
I work in balance sheet daily reporting as well as quarterly disclosures that are then reported to the Feds. So a typical day for my daily reporting is running files in the morning and then analysis of movements in the afternoon. For quarterly disclosures, I'll reach out to controllers for sign-offs on their respective lines which then I will consolidate and analyze. The nature of my reporting requires plenty of ad hoc adjustments and reaching out to different teams so I never feel siloed.
Which undergraduate experiences did you find most helpful in preparing you for your current position?
I was part of the FBLA finance/budget committee as well as an intern with Kaulkin Ginsberg Research Fellowship. Both were similar in that they helped develop my soft skills like presentations, communication within a team, and overall professionalism. These soft skills were much more relevant to me as I entered my job since they are harder to pick up than skills like Excel.
How has your coursework helped you in your current position?
My econometrics class helped with my quantitative skills and also communication skills since we frequently worked in a team. Also my communication class helped with public speaking which comes in handy when giving presentations to upper management. Job/internship advice:
1. Don't be afraid to apply for jobs that seem out of reach/outside your comfort zone.
2. Go to all networking events offered on campus by the ECON department.
3. Practice your interview skills at the University Career Center! Going in cold and unprepared to an interview is a wasted opportunity. Do plenty of mock interviews and resume critiques. Other tips for undergraduates to make the most of their time on campus: Use all the resources you can from UMD in order to put yourself in a great position when pursuing your job and make sure to get started early
