On November 6th, Saint Anselm economics and business students traveled to New York City for their annual finance trip — one of the signature experiences offered by the department.
Ten students joined Prof. Jennifer Kelber `01, chair of the department, and Prof. Paul Marmora to immerse themselves in the financial capital of the country. They were graciously welcomed by alumni, friends and business leaders who gave them invaluable insight into the finance world. Some of the places they visited include the New York Stock Exchange, Brown Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Intensity, J.P. Morgan, and Wells Fargo.
“The trip provides students the opportunity to explore some of the career paths available to them upon graduation and to learn first-hand about what these paths entail,” Kelber said.
Business and finance double major Noah Gutierrez `25 said the experience has completely shifted how he sees a future career in finance. Connecting with industry experts and watching them in action showed just how creative, fast-paced, and rewarding this field can be.
“Seeing their passion and expertise was so inspiring. We didn’t just listen to lectures—we got to engage directly with professionals, ask real questions, and observe how they bring their strategies to life. It made everything we’ve been learning in class feel so much more tangible and exciting,” Gutierrez said.
Kelber says it’s wonderful to see her students interact with alumni who were once ambitious students just like them. There have been many trips when a student who attended one year then hosted the group from their office in New York the following year.
As they witnessed how reputable financial businesses operate, students also experienced real-world scenarios of working in a city. “It is one thing to read about a particular career, and another thing entirely to be able to navigate the subway, visit a trading floor, hear the opening bell ring on the NYSE, and to network with alumni,” Kelber explained.
According to Ella Gordon ’25, a marketing and business administration double major, one of the many great aspects of this trip for students is seeing life beyond Saint Anselm and all of the possibilities they are well-prepared to pursue.
“I felt that this trip would give me the chance to meet with very successful people and learn more about the decisions and paths taken to get where they are,” said Gordon. “As someone who would like to work in Boston someday, I felt that alumni and professionals in NYC would have connections to other offices in Boston.”
Gordon said she learned many interviewing techniques from alumni that applied to some of the most successful companies in the country. Her most memorable experience was visiting the New York Stock Exchange. “We got to see the opening bell and even witness active trades on the trading floor. It was even cooler than I had imagined! In such a high stress and hectic environment, it was amazing to see how well everyone worked together.”
The annual visit to the Big Apple has been going on for decades and Prof. Kelber said she learned a lot during her trip when she was a student at Saint Anselm. She says spending several days down there helps to broaden students’ understanding of how to best position themselves for success after graduation.
Gutierrez said one of the biggest lessons learned was a reminder of how important it is to stay adaptable and always keep learning.
“I came back from this trip not only with a deeper understanding of marketing but also with a renewed excitement for what’s possible in this industry — and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity!”