Student-led organization opens doors to high finance careers

By Ashley Sewall 04-23-2026

Landing a job at a top hedge fund or private equity firm is no easy feat, but the student-run Canes Finance Association (CFA) is helping students secure positions at competitive finance institutions.

CFA is the largest student organization at the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, giving students the resources they need to excel in a finance career through speaker events and mentorship.

Senior finance major Dina Bengelsdorf joined CFA as a first-year student and now serves as its president.

"The value of the Canes Finance Association is that it creates a direct bridge between students and the finance industry that goes beyond what students typically get in the classroom," Bengelsdorf said. "While coursework teaches technical concepts, our organization focuses on real exposure to the people, firms, and career paths shaping the industry today."

CFA takes professional development beyond résumé and cover letter workshops. Earlier this semester, they assembled a Miami Movement Private Equity Leadership Panel with more than 100 students in attendance that featured a discussion on how students can break into the field.

"We have direct access to finance leaders in different fields," Bengelsdorf said. "We've brought professionals from private equity, hedge funds, investment banks, wealth management, and private banking. We really have something for everybody here, and that's what we kind of pride ourselves on."

Two investment banks extended internship offers to a handful of student attendees after one of their events.

Rachel Van Rhein, a sophomore majoring in finance and computer science, found her current internship as an investment banking analyst at Kingswood U.S. through CFA.

"I heard about the Kingswood internship when a current board member shared it in the communication channel and encouraged students to send in their résumé," said Van Rhein. "That ended up leading me to my current role at Kingswood. I'm really grateful for CFA because I honestly wouldn't have known about the opportunity without them."

CFA is continuing to become a pipeline for students to earn positions in high finance, including with a private tour of JPMorgan Chase.

"CFA brings real-life experience and guidance into the meetings [when] professors and professionals present their backgrounds, skills, and opinions to students," said Andrea J. Heuson, faculty advisor of CFA and finance professor at the Miami Herbert Business School. "Anytime we can bring successful professionals into the student setting, we are showing off the talent at UM and preparing our students for work outside the classroom."