This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
By giving students a sneak peek at potential careers, externships are a valuable way for students to determine what careers may be a good fit. Over the winter interim, Alexandra Davies-Lazarte ’09 (College Station, Texas) had the opportunity to go inside the world of securities trading.
She served an externship under the guidance of American studies graduate Craig Kaisand ’91, an institutional equity trader at BMO Capital Markets. Davies-Lazarte worked in the New York City office of the international financial services company.
“The whole purpose of an externship is to sit in our shoes for a day and either put it on their list of job possibilities or take it off,” says Kaisand.
Starting with a 7 a.m. staff meeting and a quick overview of what the day would hold, Davies-Lazarte and Kaisand quickly headed for the trading floor, where Kaisand works fast-paced 10-hour days buying and selling securities.
“It was very hectic in there,” Davies-Lazarte says.
She also spent part of the day with economics and business graduate Jim Hindenach ’80, who discussed his job working with high-yield debt.
Davies-Lazarte describes her externship as an “absolutely amazing experience,” and is interested in pursuing a career in international finance. She believes being a double major in international affairs and Spanish will help her on that path.