The Coffee Chat Podcast
Looking for something specific? Explore episodes by category or topic to find insights most relevant to your finance journey.
Securing Highly Competitive Internships and Earning Return Offers
In this episode of the Coffee Chat podcast, host Ben interviews Bentley student Sante about securing a highly competitive sophomore-year investment banking internship at Bank of America, plus how he earned a return offer. Sante shares actionable advice on preparation, technical skills, and taking ownership of your career development.
Episode 43 | March 2, 2026
How a Liberal Arts Student Landed an Investment Banking Internship
A psychology major and college football player, Braedan shares how networking, repetition, and earning the Financial Modeling Certification® Program helped him land a junior-year investment banking internship from a liberal arts background.
Episode 42 | February 16, 2026
The Truth About Recruiting from Non-Target Schools
Recruiting from a non-target school isn’t about standing out on paper; it’s about building focus, earning advocacy, and showing banks you’re worth the investment. In Episode 41 of The Coffee Chat, we break down what actually works.
Episode 41 | February 2, 2026
The Hard Lessons of a Career in Investment Banking
In Episode 40 of the Coffee Chat podcast, Ben chats with Christian to unpack real stories from investment banking, lessons learned in private equity, and how the Adventis Financial Modeling Certification® Program helped Christian launch his career. Christian shares actionable insights for undergraduates navigating early recruiting and building the mindset needed to thrive on Wall Street.
Episode 40 | January 19, 2026
Breaking Into Banking, Private Equity & Corporate Development
Learn how Jay broke into investment banking from a non-target school, transitioned into private equity, and now leads M&A in corporate development, all through early technical preparation, strategic networking, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Episode 39 | January 5, 2025
Expert Resume Strategies for Breaking Into Investment Banking
In this episode, host Ben sits down with Stephanie Hockman, who has reviewed more than 5,000 resumes across 35 years in finance, to share proven strategies for building a standout investment banking resume. From formatting fundamentals to showcasing experience when you “don’t have any,” this episode breaks down exactly what recruiters look for.
Episode 38 | December 22, 2025
How to Master “Tell Me About Yourself” in Finance Interviews
In Episode 37 of The Coffee Chat Podcast, Ben and Stephanie break down how to craft a memorable and strategic response to “Tell me about yourself.” Drawing from 35 years of industry experience, Stephanie shares practical tactics (reflection exercises, structural frameworks, and key pitfalls) to help candidates differentiate themselves in competitive finance interviews.
Episode 37 | December 15, 2025
How to Network Your Way Into Finance (Even as a Freshman)
In Episode 36 of The Coffee Chat Podcast, host Ben and guest Stephanie Hockman, a former investment banker and executive coach, discuss the mindset, tactics, and pitfalls every student should know about networking. From building authentic relationships to asking the right questions, this episode is your guide to mastering one of the most important skills in finance recruiting.
Episode 36 | December 8, 2025
How to Prepare for Technical Interviews in Finance (Beginner to Advanced)
Former Amherst College Program Director Stephanie Hockman joins us for an in-depth conversation on how universities can elevate students’ technical preparation for finance recruiting. From program design to the power of hands-on learning, Stephanie shares insights on what truly helps students stand out, and why Adventis’s Financial Modeling Certification® Program has become a cornerstone of Amherst’s success.
Episode 35 | December 1, 2025
Navigating HireVue with Expert Insights
AI is reshaping the investment banking recruiting process. In this episode, Ben and expert guest Stephanie Hockman explore how tools like HireVue have changed the game, and what students can do to stand out in a world where interviews are evaluated by algorithms.
Episode 34 | November 24, 2025
Join student leaders, faculty, finance professionals, and Adventis-certified students as they share insights on recruiting, interviews, career development, and industry trends. Whether you're a freshman exploring your path or gearing up for summer internships, each episode offers practical advice to help you get ahead.
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