My Story: From Kentucky To Columbia

hertzThe stock we chose—Hertz Global Holdings, the rental car company—ended up being the winning stock pick for the challenge, and we received the top prize of $100,000. This was an unbelievable experience that I’ll cherish for years to come. However, it’s just one of many highlights I can point to and say, “Columbia did this for me.”

To me, Columbia Business School means appearing on CNBC as the Next Generation of Great Investors; being co-president of the Columbia Student Investment Management Association (CSIMA),the largest student club on campus; gaining instant access to respected practitioners throughout New York City; and building connections with classmates, faculty, and professionals that will last a lifetime.

Because of Columbia, I somehow even found myself face-to-face with Warren Buffett. The Heilbrunn Center of Graham & Dodd Investing sponsored a trip to Omaha to attend a Q&A with Warren Buffett at his office, and the next thing I know I’m drinking a root beer float and talking about life with the world’s greatest investor. I’m almost certain I’m the biggest Warren Buffett fan there is, so to have the opportunity to sit and talk about Kentucky basketball was simply a dream come true. Because I’d followed him my whole life, it was as if I was speaking to my best friend.

Now that I’ve completed the MBA program, I’ll carry each of these experiences with me when I re-enter the business world as a business development associate for Koch Industries. And thanks to the Pershing Square Challenge, I’m able to do it with a little less tuition debt.

DON’T MISS: My Story: From Cornell To The Bank Of America or My Story: From Morgan Stanley to Afghanistan