I attended the Colab Connects Career Forum in NYC on October 9–10. Panels and intimate chats opened us up to the alternative-investments ecosystem, how credit, PE, and IR teams work together, and why clear storytelling and disciplined judgment matter alongside returns. Most importantly, this wasn’t a technical bootcamp. Professionals focused on practical advice and industry Q&A, giving us the tools and confidence to succeed in the industry. They walked us through their journeys, and gave us motivational speeches on our potential to change the finance landscape. Further there was conversations on how to craft a concise “why,” turn a brief chat into a relationship, and build credible market views. I appreciated the forum’s explicit mission to increase diversity in alternatives and open the space up to more people. I learned of the many different pathways through mentorship, warm introductions, and inclusive recruiting.
The ideas of slowing down and preparing purposefully really stuck with me because these are such simple concepts but they can make a huge difference. This experience connects directly to my internship and campus roles and emphasized being decision-oriented, having thoughtful follow-ups, and maintaining consistent relationship building, all process I will continue developing and carrying onto Spelman’s campus. I left this conference more intentional about my future and committed to helping open doors for others, too.
- Kennedy Johnson
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