Zachary’s path to investment banking did not begin in finance. As a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in applied exercise science, he initially planned to pursue a career in medicine. “I came into school thinking I wanted to become a doctor,” he said.

That changed after gaining exposure to finance through a search fund internship and conversations with peers. Once back on campus, Zachary joined Apex Trading Group and began seriously exploring investment banking. However, like many students coming from a nontraditional background, he quickly realized he needed to build technical skills from the ground up.

Through focused preparation, networking, and the support of Adventis, Zachary secured a 2027 investment banking summer analyst role at UBS in New York.

Student Success Story: Building Technical Confidence with Adventis

Zachary first learned about Adventis through a friend who had successfully navigated finance club recruiting. At Michigan, joining top investment clubs as a sophomore can be highly competitive, often requiring a strong technical foundation before even stepping on campus.

“They expect you to have the technical knowledge needed for investment banking,” he explained.

Following his friend’s advice, Zachary enrolled in the Financial Modeling Certification® (FMC®) Program early in the fall semester.

The impact was immediate. The FMC® Program helped him not only prepare for investment banking interviews but also succeed in club recruiting.

“It really helped me with not only investment banking technical prep, but also my club recruiting prep.”

Making Technical Concepts Click

For Zachary, one of the most valuable aspects of Adventis was how it brought together concepts that previously felt disconnected.

“When you’re reading guides, it’s sometimes hard to see how everything actually connects together and clicks,” he said.

Through hands-on modeling and structured instruction, the program provided clarity. “I thought the FMC® Program was very beneficial in that aspect,” he added.

By working through a full financial model and understanding how each component interacts, Zachary developed a deeper, more practical understanding of the material. This allowed him to move beyond memorization and confidently apply concepts in interviews and conversations.

Standing Out in a Competitive Process

Zachary’s journey also highlights the importance of differentiation in investment banking recruiting. Coming from a science background, he leaned into his unique perspective to stand out.

“I was a science major with no background in finance,” he said. “So the angle I took was being really interested in healthcare.”

He advises other students to find a specific angle that reflects genuine interest and helps them stand apart.

“A lot of candidates are very similar,” he noted. “You have to find a way to stand out.”

With a clear narrative, strong technical foundation, and consistent networking, Zachary positioned himself as a compelling candidate and ultimately earned his offer at UBS.

Advice for Students Starting from Scratch

Zachary understands how overwhelming finance recruiting can feel for beginners. Reflecting on his own experience, he emphasizes the importance of building a foundation before diving into complex materials.

“If you go through everything at once with no prior knowledge, you’re going to be very lost and confused,” he said.

Adventis helped bridge that gap by providing a structured, intuitive introduction to financial modeling and technical concepts.

By starting with the Financial Modeling Certification® Program and layering in additional resources, Zachary was able to accelerate his learning and approach recruiting with confidence.