At liberal arts institutions like Brown University, structured finance training is often hard to come by. But Nora saw that gap as an opportunity. As an Applied Math major surrounded by peers pursuing economics and business-related paths, she carved her own way into investment banking—and eventually private equity—by taking initiative early in her undergraduate journey.

Nora discovered Adventis during her sophomore year and credits the Financial Modeling Certification® (FMC®) Program with giving her both the technical foundation and confidence to succeed. Her story exemplifies how Adventis can help students from non-traditional finance programs stand out and break into elite firms like Morgan Stanley and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).

Student Success Story: Nora’s Jumpstart into Finance

Nora didn’t arrive at Brown planning to go into finance. But as she took more math and economics classes, she became intrigued by investment banking. What she quickly noticed, though, was the lack of any formal coursework in financial modeling or Excel.

That’s when she found Adventis.

“I signed up for an in-person Adventis boot camp with a friend sophomore year. It was one of the most engaging and useful experiences I had at Brown. It wasn’t just videos you watch passively—you had to really prove that you retained the information.”

Adventis helped bridge the gap between theory and application. “There were no classes that really introduced us to financial modeling,” she explained. “I learned how to build models, but also how to talk about them and apply that knowledge in interviews—that was huge.”

Why Adventis Made a Difference

For Nora, Adventis delivered more than just technical skills:

Structured, Retainable Learning:

“I had tried online videos before, but Adventis made everything click. The in-person structure, constant testing, and immediate feedback helped me retain and understand what I was learning.”

Confidence in Interviews:

“Most interviewers asked about Adventis, and I always brought it up in my story. It wasn’t just a line on my resume—it showed I was serious about finance and had the skills to back it up.”

Leveling the Playing Field:

“Coming from a liberal arts school, I didn’t have the same background as students from more traditional target schools. Adventis helped put me on par with those candidates, and gave me something tangible to point to that proved I could model and speak the language of finance.”

From Brown to Morgan Stanley–and Beyond

Nora successfully landed an investment banking internship and later a full-time offer at Morgan Stanley. She credits Adventis with helping her feel prepared from day one.

“Having that baseline of modeling and Excel skills meant I wasn’t playing catch-up. When you’re new on the desk, first impressions matter. Adventis helped me hit the ground running.”

That strong foundation continued to pay dividends when she transitioned into private equity. “PE interviews are very modeling-heavy. Adventis gave me the broad-based understanding I needed to pass those tests and perform well in interviews.”

Now, as a Private Equity Associate at CD&R, Nora sees Adventis as an inflection point in her journey.

“If you’re serious about finance, this program is a no-brainer. It’s not just a certification—it’s a real skill set and a huge confidence booster. For students without access to formal finance training, Adventis can close that gap.”

Pay It Forward

During her time at Brown, Nora became a Campus Leader for Adventis, eager to share the opportunity with more students.

“I wanted more students to have access to this. It really helped me tell my story and show that I went out of my way to build the skills I needed. It’s something every student serious about finance should consider.”