In this episode, Ben talks with David Hawthorne, Director of the Financial Markets Institute at Michigan State University, about how FMI identifies top talent early and builds the technical, professional, and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in competitive Wall Street recruiting.

Episode 45 | March 30, 2026

Ike, a University of Michigan senior who earned a full-time offer at TD Cowen, shares how early preparation, including the Adventis Financial Modeling Certification® Program, helped him succeed in recruiting, and he breaks down what his internship was really like inside a leveraged finance and private credit group.

Episode 44 | March 16, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From golf course conversations to a private equity associate role, Demetre’s story offers a step-by-step playbook for landing top finance internships. Hear how he leveraged networking, case competitions, and the Adventis Financial Modeling Certification® Program to turn early curiosity into career success.

Episode 30 | October 27, 2025

Breaking into finance isn’t always a straight path. In this episode, Ben sits down with Brian, a Miami of Ohio graduate, to reflect on what he wishes he had known before starting his career in private credit. From the power of networking to the importance of hard work and flexibility, Brian shares candid insights and lessons that every aspiring finance professional should hear.

Episode 28 | September 29, 2025

Landing a finance role takes more than technical skills; it requires persistence, networking savvy, and the discipline to excel in every detail. In this Coffee Chat episode, Ben and Indiana University student Kaushal discuss what it really takes to stand out in competitive recruiting.

Episode 27 | September 15, 2025

Breaking into investment banking without a target school name on your résumé is possible. In this episode, Miami University student Nik shares how he leveraged the FMC® Program, strategic networking, and a focus on regional markets to carve his own path into investment banking.

Episode 24 | August 4, 2025

In this episode, we dive into the essentials of recruiting success. From narrowing down firms and cities to crafting a consistent narrative, to balancing technical prep with networking, this episode breaks down the step-by-step approach students can take to position themselves for multiple offers.

Episode 22 | July 7, 2025

Ben sits down with Chun from the University of Illinois to discuss the art of cold emailing, networking, and preparing for investment banking interviews. With real-world examples and actionable frameworks, this episode equips aspiring bankers with the confidence to connect effectively and stand out in the recruiting process.

Episode 21 | June 23, 2025

Heading into your summer internship? In Episode 20 of the Coffee Chat Podcast, Ben and guest Will (UCLA ’26) break down how to prepare: covering technical prep, building professional habits, and navigating the soft skills that help secure a return offer.

Episode 20 | June 9, 2025

Landing a job at a top firm requires early preparation, technical mastery, and the discipline to “do the work when no one’s watching.” In this episode, Indiana University’s Ryan shares his path into finance and his best advice for students aiming to break into big firms.

Episode 18 | May 12, 2025

On Episode 15 of The Coffee Chat, Samantha shares how serving tables prepared her for the intensity of investment banking. From juggling orders to managing multiple live deals, her story shows why soft skills matter just as much as technical ones, and how Adventis helped her build both.

Episode15 | March 31, 2025