Hadley approached investment banking recruiting with curiosity and determination early in her college career. As a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she quickly realized that breaking into investment banking required more than interest. It required technical mastery and a clear understanding of financial modeling.

Through Adventis’s Financial Modeling Certification® Program, she built that foundation and gained the confidence to stand out in a highly competitive recruiting process. Today, she is set to join Bank of Montreal in Chicago as a 2027 Investment Banking Summer Analyst.

Student Success Story: Building Technical Confidence Early

Hadley first discovered Adventis through her involvement in a case competition at her school’s investment banking club.

“The seniors and juniors in that organization all recommended we look into Adventis and get our certifications prior to the Investment Banking Academy recruitment.”

She attended an Adventis boot camp during her freshman year, then completed the FMC® Program over the summer. At the time, she had taken only one accounting course and no formal finance classes, making the program especially impactful.

Through the program’s hands-on approach, Hadley developed a deep understanding of financial statements and how they connect within a model.

“The FMC® Program really helped me understand how all the financial statements link and how changes on one impact the other.”

That technical clarity became a key differentiator as she moved into recruiting.

Turning Knowledge Into Interview Advantage

With her certification on her resume, Hadley was able to speak confidently about real modeling experience during interviews. Recruiters asked about the program, giving her an opportunity to demonstrate both initiative and technical ability.

“I got a lot of questions about it. Most of them asked what it was and what the difficulty level was.”

Rather than describing theoretical knowledge, she could point to practical experience.

“It was great to explain that I actually had to build a model.”

This ability to articulate real skills helped her stand out among candidates and reinforced her readiness for investment banking roles.

A Strategic Approach to Recruiting

Beyond technical preparation, Hadley credits her success to maintaining an open and strategic mindset throughout recruiting. By exploring different firms, locations, and team dynamics, she identified the right fit for her goals.

“You’ll find where you fit, where you have the best conversations, and what office culture you enjoy.”

That approach ultimately led her to Bank of Montreal, where she found a balance of international exposure and strong deal experience