There is a reason Cornell Financial Engineering Manhattan (CFEM) brings students to New York City for a full semester: to get them close to the people and the work of the financial industry. This fall, the annual CFEM Alumni Round Robin transformed a student lounge in the heart of Midtown into a hub of finance industry career advice and conversation.
More than 20 CFEM alumni from the classes of 2011 through 2025 sat throughout the room, grouped at tables by type of work they do. Students rotated among the tables, speaking with professionals in systematic equities, credit trading, CLO investing, derivatives, model risk, data science, and macro investing. In one evening, they could compare roles, hear how careers take shape, and get candid advice from recent graduates as well as senior industry leaders.
Peter Emanuel (CFEM ’22) proposed the Round Robin idea several years ago. Launched last year, the event grew this fall under the leadership of CFEM Alumni Council members Peter and Evelyn Shen (CFEM ’24) in collaboration with CFEM leadership. “Where else can students hear, in one room, from people who were in their shoes just a year ago and from leaders who have spent decades in the industry?” said Victoria Averbukh, Director of CFEM. “Students leave with a clearer picture of the roles they might pursue and practical advice for their next steps.”
The informal format of the event puts CFEM’s alumni network to work: students gain a broad view of the industry through personal conversations, while graduates help shape the experience of those following them.
“It was really rewarding to help organize the event and connect with current CFEM students,” said Shen. “I benefited a lot from the support of Cornell alumni when I was a student, so it was especially meaningful to now have the opportunity to give back.”
Roselle Bajet is the program coordinator at CFEM.
