Real Dollars, Real Impact: Student Investment Fund Powers Careers and Connections

On Tuesday, April 29, students in the Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), led by Associate Teaching Professor in the Accounting & Finance department, Michael Radin, delivered their end-of-semester presentations, sharing detailed analysis and real-time portfolio strategies. Since its launch in Fall 2018 with $75,000 in seed funding, SMIF has grown to over $700,000 in assets—thanks to strong investment performance and generous donor support.

The objective of the Student Managed Investment Fund program is to provide a real-world, practical education where students apply investment analysis and portfolio management techniques to a live portfolio. This course equips students with a competitive advantage and opportunity for enhanced placement and/or upward career mobility within their current organization, as well as a jump-start in CFA exam preparation. 

This semester’s event featured a robust networking reception attended by 63 alumni, many of whom were former SMIF participants. The evening highlighted the power of experiential learning, as current students connected with alumni now working across the finance industry, gaining insights and building professional relationships.

Members of this exclusive MSU alumni community have launched successful careers at prestigious financial services and manufacturing firms such as Goldman Sachs, Prudential, Barclays, Bank of America, Jaguar Land Rover N. America, BMW N. America, among others in areas such as asset management, fixed income analysis, real estate finance, venture capital, investment banking, fintech and corporate finance.  The common element among these successful MSU alumni is the preparation they received in the Student Managed Investment Fund class