"The Securities Analysis Center is putting together the programs that we like to see people go through. What the students are doing is exactly what will prepare them for the investment business."
-Jeff Savage, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Corporation
Applied Projects - Rolling up the sleeves in Real Time
The Strategic Planning Project (SPP) is at the heart of the SAC's commitment to Experiential Learning. Occurring in the Fall and Winter quarters of the second year, the SPP provides two separate opportunities for students to collaborate closely with industry on a value-added project, occurring in real time. Project ideas are supplied by our industry partners, shaped by the Securities Analysis Center into an 11-week format, guided by the SAC faculty, and challenge our students to apply their skills and energy towards resolving a current business issue. Skills are applied, connections are made, and Securities Analysis Center students acquire the deep experiences and focused expertise that sets them apart from their peers.
Projects are typically undertaken by a team of two or three Securities Analysis Center students and opportunities come from many corners of industry:
- A Private Equity firm wishing to discover and evaluate candidate firms for acquisition (Portland, Oregon);
- A technology firm needing to evaluate alternatives for the global manufacturing and distribution of its products (Bologna, Italy);
- An investment manager evaluating the portfolio benefits of implementing Socially Responsible Investing on behalf of its clients (Boston, Massachusetts);
- A food products company optimizing its international product distribution mix and pricing strategy in order to maximize its profit margins (Salem, Oregon);
- A prominent financial services firm wanting to assess the current state of the hedge fund marketplace in the wake of 2008, and determine the best use of alternative investments within its wealth management business (Minneapolis, MN).
"The Securities Analysis Center is one of the ways the OMBA delivers on its mission of experiential education. Not only is the curriculum strong and balanced,but the chance to work on consulting projects and network with players in the financial services industry is invaluable. My Strategic Planning Project gave me the opportunity to analyze, evaluate and recommend a go or no-go action on a new venture for a private equity firm. This consulting project demonstrated the challenges of working for a client and managing deliverables according to a constantly evolving timeline." Jim Sever, MBA 2009