As one of the top public universities in the United States, UC Berkeley offers abundant opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Capital investments clubs are especially popular among Berkeley students who want to gain financial industry experience. By joining these student-run organizations, students can network with alumni working in investment banks and asset management firms, attend career development workshops, and participate in stock pitch competitions. This article will introduce some of the key capital investments clubs at UC Berkeley and highlight their offerings for members.
The UC Berkeley Investment Group provides hands-on investing experience
Founded in 1991, the UC Berkeley Investment Group (BIG) is one of the oldest and largest student-run capital investments clubs at Berkeley. The group manages an equity fund with over $300,000 in assets under management. Members are involved in every aspect of managing the fund, from identifying investment opportunities, analyzing companies, to executing trades. This hands-on experience allows students to gain real-world investment management skills. BIG also hosts resume and interview workshops, company information sessions, and brings in alumni speakers working at top financial firms to share industry insights. The club’s strong network and professional development resources make it a great choice for Berkeley students interested in asset management and investment banking careers.
The Berkeley Finance Club connects students with alumni mentors in the finance industry
With over 750 active members, the Berkeley Finance Club is one of the most prestigious capital investments clubs on campus. The club holds networking events throughout the school year where students can interact with alumni and finance professionals. Mentorship programs like the Alumni Speaker Series and Resume Roundtables connect members to UC Berkeley graduates working at leading financial institutions. There are also educational events on topics like cryptocurrencies, quantitative trading, investment banking, and fintech. Members have access to online recordings of past workshops and events. Joining this club allows students to expand their professional network and get advice from industry veterans.
The UC Berkeley Student Investment Fund teaches professional money management
The UC Berkeley Student Investment Fund (SIF) operates similarly to BIG, but with a greater focus on teaching members about portfolio management and security analysis. As Berkeley’s first student-run investment fund, SIF has over 20 years of experience training students in hands-on investing. Members are actively involved in researching equities, evaluating risk, constructing portfolios, and executing trades for a fund valued at $300,000. The fund’s managers are elected through a rigorous application process, allowing top students to gain leadership experience. SIF also holds dating workshops and mock interviews to prep members for applying to jobs and internships in asset management, hedge funds, and investment banking.
Women in Business clubs provide support for female students entering finance
UC Berkeley has two major student organizations dedicated to empowering women in business and finance: the Women in Business Association and Undergraduate Women in Business. These clubs work to close the gender gap in the finance industry by providing mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities tailored to female students. Popular events include alumni panels, resume workshops, negotiations seminars, and conferences like the Annual Women in Leadership Conference. Members can meet successful women role models from top investment banks, private equity firms, hedge funds, and Fortune 500 companies. Joining one of these inclusive organizations helps prepare and encourage women to take on leadership roles in capital investments and finance.
In summary, UC Berkeley provides a wealth of student-run capital investments clubs that allow members to gain practical experience in investing and asset management, expand their professional networks, and develop the skills needed to succeed in competitive finance careers. By actively participating in these organizations, Berkeley students can access invaluable resources and connections to prepare for internships and full-time positions at investment banks, hedge funds, and asset management firms.