Finance Unboxed: An Insider's Take On The Undergraduate Experience
- econunitedteam
- Jun 30
- 7 min read
For many high school students interested in majoring in finance, the journey to college may feel exciting and overwhelming. To offer some first-hand experience, we asked Wafeeq Shekoni, a current undergraduate Finance major at the University of Illinois Chicago, who's navigating internships, college life, and career planning firsthand. In this interview, Wafeeq shares what inspired him to pursue finance, what the college experience is really like, and his advice for teens considering a similar path. Whether you're aiming for Wall Street or want to enter a world full of stocks and spreadsheets, Wafeeq's journey offers valuable lessons and honest advice.
Choosing a college major is a big decision and for Wafeeq it came down to a mix of passion, curiosity, and long-term goals. In this section, he breaks down what drew him to the world of finance, how he discovered his interests, and what ultimately led him to commit to this dynamic and versatile field:
What made you choose finance as your major, and how has your understanding of the field evolved throughout your studies?
Wafeeq: Money is 1 of the 3 most important things the world revolves around. I picked finance because it's an integral part of how our world operates, and being able to learn the ins and outs of it will open doors, help me with my own finances, and give me the knowledge to help others as well.
Which finance-related classes have been your favorite so far, and why?
Wafeeq: My favorite so far has been FIN 423: Financial Analysis in Modeling because the class revolves around using Excel, which is an important tool, to build financial models to help forecast different things. It gives you a solid foundation in important subsectors of finance.
Have any specific professors or courses had a significant impact on your career aspirations in finance?
Wafeeq: 1 professor who has impacted me is Paul Rodriguez, a professor at UIC, because in his class, he helped all of us overcome our fears of connecting with people and holding conversations. The class was an improv class to help us mimic business conversations. He helped me unlock confidence that I can become a leader in finance.
How have you balanced your coursework with extracurricular activities or internships?
Wafeeq: Firstly, I had to figure out what workflow worked best for me. Such as, Am I more task-based or time-based? For me, I am more task-based. Setting up the foundation on what works best for you before you take on more activities will definitely lead to success!
Can you discuss a particularly challenging project or assignment you’ve worked on during your time as a finance student?
Wafeeq: In FIN 330, I had to do a case study project since it was a statistics for finance class. It was very detail-oriented, which made it difficult. What helped me overcome this difficulty was looking at what I had to do and working on it without looking at the time.
Wafeeq is already thinking several steps ahead. In this section, he talks about where he hopes his degree will take him, the industries that excite him most, and how he's preparing now for a successful future after college:
What specific area of finance are you interested in pursuing as a career (e.g., investment banking, corporate finance, financial analysis, wealth management, etc.)?
Wafeeq: The 3 I’m most interested in are Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Risk Management, & Investing Analysis.
How have your classes and experiences prepared you for your desired career path?
Wafeeq: The professors who have taught me share their real-world experiences, which allows for the classes I’ve taken to be a test run for what I will do in various fields. My experiences, such as my internship with the Springfield Urban League, weren’t the most technically difficult, but they helped me experience what it is to be in a professional setting like which prepared me for how to do certain tasks.
Do you plan to pursue any professional certifications (e.g., CFA, CPA) after graduation? If so, why?
Wafeeq: I plan on getting a CFA. Mostly because I hope I can use that as a final stamp on everything I learned in school, to keep myself sharp, and help myself be more relatable to people I will be working with. A CFA will allow you to be a Chartered Financial Analyst will distinguish you to be distignusiehd from others and show your dedication & mastery.
What do you believe are the key skills needed to succeed in your chosen career path within finance?
Wafeeq: The spirit to practice (keep yourself sharp) and having amazing communication skills (communicate great and effectively, be able to get across your point), both these skills will also help you network.
What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Wafeeq: My short-term goal is to be able to get a job before graduation. My long-term goal is to be a senior analyst at any firm, and maybe even start my own firm or go into the public sector. In order to achieve these goals, I need to make sure I apply my financial knowledge even outside my future jobs and outside of the classroom.
College can look very different from what high school students imagine. in this section, Wafeeq gives an inside look at his daily life as a finance major, from classes and clubs to challenges he has faced and the surprises along the way:
What have been the highlights of being a finance major? What do you enjoy most about studying finance?
Wafeeq: At UIC, there is an annual Finance Reception where the Business College comes together at the end of the year to celebrate the accomplishments of students and professors.
How has your understanding of financial markets or corporate finance impacted your personal financial decisions, if at all?
Wafeeq: They didn't really impact my personal financial decisions, but they did allow me to visualize them better. This helps me when I have to make financial decisions for someone else at a job.
How do you stay updated on current trends or news in the finance world?
Wafeeq: Morning Star & J.P. Morgan’s Quarterly Reports
Have you had any internships or work experience in finance? If so, how did they contribute to your academic and career development?
Wafeeq: Yes, at Ladder Up Chicago as an advanced tax intern. It allowed me to advance my career prospects by allowing me to advance my skills, such as communication. Being able to talk to people from multiple backgrounds helps you be able to communicate with anyone effectively and adapt to your environment.
How do you plan to differentiate yourself from other finance majors in a competitive job market?
Wafeeq: Real-world experience. I’ve been lucky to have many internships and obs that have allowed me to be in real-world settings and with actual clients, which may be different than traditional internships where interns work on their own independent project for a couple of weeks. I was able to fill out paperwork, talk to clients, and learn what real financial advisors do. Now I have a more well-rounded perspective of what my future career path is.
No college journey is without its hurdles and studying finance is no exception. In this section, Wafeeq opens up about the obstacles he's faced along the way:
What are some of the most important soft skills you've developed as a finance major? How do you apply them to real-world scenarios?
Wafeeq: A soft skill I’ve developed is being able to talk to people spontaneously. The seminar classes I took as a transfer student allowed me to feel confident in connecting with people on LinkedIn randomly, which has allowed me to create a network of people who can connect me to any different opportunities. In the job market, the most successful people used the people they knew rather than the knowledge they had.
How do you handle stress, particularly when dealing with deadlines or high-pressure situations?
Wafeeq: I usually just schedule time to get away from all of the work. You have to give yourself time where you can recharge your brain and take a break. I usually do other activities of chores like going out on a ride in my car, going out to eat, reading a book, etc. Overall, find whatever works for you in general. But make sure the break doesn't turn into a hiatus.
Can you describe a time when you worked in a team to solve a financial problem or complete a project? What role did you play in that experience?
Wafeeq: In one of my classes, I had a final group project where we studied a sector of the S&P 500. We each had to study a certain stock. My role was to study a company that was in debt.
What would you say is your biggest strength, and how do you see it contributing to your future career in finance?
Wafeeq: My ability to understand people’s feelings. This will help me know how to navigate the workplace and handle different dynamics since I understand how people operate.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering a major in finance?
Wafeeq: Learn as much as you can about the field and broaden your scope. Talk to as many people as you can who are also interested in finance. Starting your network in high school can really give you a boost for your future career and college life.
Thank you again to Wafeeq Shekoni for taking the time to give his amazing insight to our organization. Speaking of connections, you can connect with Wafeeq Shekoni on LinkedIn, Wafeeq is a hardworking student and an amazing connection to have! His honesty about the challenges and passion for finance offer valuable guidance for any high school students considering a future in finance. Whether you're already set on a finance major or still exploring your options, Wafeeq's insight proves that with curiosity, determination, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone, anything is possible.
*UIC stands for University of Illinois Chicago
*FIN symbols that it is a Finance class
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