The Center for Excellence in Investment Management serves as the hub of student, faculty and alumni engagement, particularly for those interested in asset management on the “buy-side” and the research, sales and trading areas of the “sell-side” of the finance world. The Center offers numerous experiential co-curricular opportunities and workshops such as the Fundamental Investing Practicum and Mentorship Program. The Center also partners with MBA Career Services, Undergraduate Business Career Services and other entities within UNC Kenan-Flagler to provide our students with unparalleled career support that enhance employment outcomes.
A number of interactive sessions such as Finance for All and Financial Services 101 are hosted from July to September to help students better understand financial services career paths, including investment management, private wealth management, investment banking and corporate finance. Practitioners demystify the structure, roles, daily life and inner workings of financial institutions and corporations. Students from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to attend as no prior finance or business knowledge is required.
Taught by alumni leaders in the investment management field, the Fundamental Investing Practicum is a multi-part series intended for first-year MBA students, but open to all MBA students and select UG students with a strong interest in investment management, including public equities, research, private equity and hedge funds.
There is a heavy focus on equity analysis and credit is also addressed. Students considering other finance career paths (e.g. investment banking and private wealth management) as well those considering non-finance career paths can also find value in this offering. No prior finance or business knowledge is expected.
The series builds critical thinking skills through valuing companies and understanding the capital markets. Investment management professionals provide mentorship via the Fundamental Investing Mentorship Program. The series also provide excellent preparation for the Alpha Challenge and other investment competitions.
The series offers a deep dive into the following topics:
Enrollment is limited and participants are chosen through an application process. Applications are due in early July; the class begins in mid-July and runs through mid-October. To be considered for the series, students must be available to attend all sessions.
“The Fundamental Investing Practicum has been the most impactful experience of my MBA journey at Kenan-Flagler. The curriculum builds a strong foundation in financial statement analysis while developing a deeper understanding of business models, valuation, and investment research. Through stock pitches, rigorous analysis, and continuous feedback, I gained the confidence to evaluate companies, communicate investment ideas, and defend my investment thesis. The preparation for the Alpha Challenge and recruiting process was invaluable, and I truly realized the extent of my growth when interviewing and pitching stocks in professional settings. The skills and confidence I developed through the practicum played a significant role in helping me secure my summer internship with William Blair. For anyone serious about a career in investing, this course is one of the most valuable opportunities at Kenan-Flagler.”
– Paraag Megharaj, Class of 2027
William Blair MBA Intern
“FIP was easily the most impactful and most enjoyable class I took during my first year at Kenan-Flagler. As an international student, I had constantly heard that landing a summer internship in Investment Management was next to impossible. UNC’s highly structured investment pathway anchored by FIP and the Alpha Challenge, was the single biggest reason I was able to do exactly that. This class is for everyone, regardless of finance background. The first semester builds the foundation and makes you recruitment-ready while the second dives deeper into the weeds. The learning is second to none, and the impact on my growth and thinking as an analyst has been transformative. If you want a career in Investment Management, FIP is essential.”
– Athreya Ramkumar, Class of 2027
William Blair MBA Intern
“Coming from a non-finance background, I wanted to make the most out of my education at UNC Kenan-Flagler where I knew I wanted to pivot into investment management. This class was, by far, the most paramount and impactful experience I’ve had so far. You are challenged to think like an investor and come to appreciate that the learning never stops. If you are even remotely interested in investment management, I highly recommend taking this course.”
– Joseph Alp, MBA ’23
Senior Private Equity Associate, Hamilton Lane
“After the first day of the Fundamental Investing Practicum, the first thing I did was call my friends and family and tell them ‘I know I’m at the perfect school for me.’ It only continued progressing for me from there. This class allowed me the weekly opportunity to think like an investor, from learning how to value a company, to learning questions to ask management, to learning how to pitch a stock. It was the most impactful part of my first year curriculum and directly prepared me for the Alpha Challenge and placement at my first year internship.”
– Davis Morrison MBA ’23
Senior Associate, Private Credit and Equity, SharpVue Capital
“The Fundamental Investment Practicum allowed me to think more like an investor. Faculty allowed us to pick their minds and the minds of a variety of portfolio managers in the industry, enabling us to think more strategically about opportunities and what to actually look for when evaluating a stock. This class allowed me to analyze stocks from a value and growth perspective in ways that I never thought about before. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of capital markets and investments.”
– Shannon Wulff, MBA ’24
Senior Research Associate, William Blair
Taught by experts from Training the StreetTM, the FDP supplements the academic curriculum with the requisite practical skills for successful careers in finance, including investment management. The program, which runs from early August through November, includes both live in-person sessions as well as a self-paced online format. There are eight separate course modules, which can be taken individually or collectively, covering topics such as financial modeling, Excel, corporate valuation, deal structures, interview preparation, and other topics.
Learn more about Training the StreetTM >
The MBA Career Services team’s experts in career management, leadership development and employer engagement work exclusively with MBA students, providing support tailored to help you achieve your goals. Customized career coaching and workshops will get you ready for market; deep connections and job search resources will get you hired.
Learn more about Career Services for:
Full-Time MBA students >
Weekend Executive MBA students >
Evening Executive MBA students >
Charlotte Executive MBA students >
The Undergraduate Business Career Services team is available to help undergraduate students in any phase of you career journey, from career exploration straight through accepting your first job.
All UNC undergraduate students are able to connect with University Career Services (UCS). UCS is a full-service career office that offers, among many things: on-campus interviews, career events, career counseling, assessment and mock interviews.