From the Bluff to Wall Street: Inside LMU’s NYC Career Trek

New York City doesn't ease you in. It pulls you forward.

For more than 30 LMU College of Business Administration (CBA) students, that momentum became real during Wall Street Week, a three-day Career Trek held March 2-4 as part of the college's Centennial celebration. Organized in partnership with Career and Professional Development (CPD), the experience featured two concurrent NYC Career Treks - one focused on business and the other on arts and entertainment - with several shared events that brought students together. Together, they traveled from the bluff to the heart of global commerce, immersed in the pace, pressure, and possibility of the world's most influential industries.

Students were joined by CBA Dean Dayle Smith, Associate Dean Josh Spizman, Assistant Dean Skylar Van Dam, and faculty members Laurel Franzen, Hai Tran, and Kala Seal. Over three packed days, participants stepped inside companies such as Bloomberg, Paramount, Mizuho, J.P. Morgan, Rudin, and Charlesbank, where they met alumni, toured offices, and gained firsthand insight into careers spanning finance, media, and real estate. What once felt abstract became tangible.

"One of the pillars of a CBA education is creating transformative experiences," said Dean Smith. "What better place to explore careers, purpose, and possibility than in the heart of global commerce? This city teaches you that scale is possible."

That sense of possibility was everywhere - from early-morning subway commutes to conversations with executives who once sat in LMU classrooms. For Zachary Van Ysseldyk '19, now a banker at J.P. Morgan, the experience came full circle as he reflected on his own Career Trek to NYC as a student, this time welcoming the next generation to the city he now calls home.

Zachary was one of several LMU alums who welcomed students into their organizations, along with Maliek Reed '20, relationship manager at Bloomberg, Kedric Dines '86, managing director at Mizuho, and Katie Kinney '12, VP and head of marketing at Rudin.

"We are so grateful to our alumni hosts who organized really impressive and impactful company visits," said Associate Dean Spizman. "Students not only got to meet these successful alumni, but they got to experience entire programs and panels full of industry insights. The time, effort, and energy our alumni had for our students was really special."

The trip wasn't just about company visits. It was about connection. LMU President Thomas Poon and university leadership also traveled to New York for a special reception at 30 Rock, hosted by LMU Regent Emma Carrasco '82, SVP of Corporate Affairs at NBCUniversal. The evening brought together alumni, students, and friends of the university, highlighting the strength of the LMU network across industries and coasts.

Another defining moment came under the bright lights of Times Square, where participants gathered for a group photo in front of a CBA Centennial billboard, a larger-than-life reminder of how far they had come and how far they could go.

The experience culminated at one of the most iconic stages in global finance: the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Students were captivated by a historical overview from the NYSE archivist, witnessed Pfizer ring the closing bell, and attended a private reception with cake and champagne.

They were also treated to a special Paul A. Grosch Lecture moderated by Dean Smith and Professor Franzen. The fireside chat featured UGI Corporation executives Tameka Morris and Véronique Subileau, who shared insights on leadership, investor relations, and personal branding. For many, the conversation was as impactful as the setting.

"Véronique shared a piece of advice I'll carry with me: always have an open heart and know your brand," said accounting major Mary Awofodu. "That reminder about authenticity really resonated with me."

For others, the trip marked a series of firsts.

"It was my first flight, my first time in New York City, and one of the most inspiring weeks of college so far," said Devin Nieto, a marketing and finance double major. "New York always felt larger than life, but experiencing its energy, pace, and ambition in person made me start to imagine what a future career here could look like."

Finance major William Thai echoed that sentiment: "What a week in New York City - a reminder of why I'm so excited about the future of finance. Learning directly from industry leaders and seeing how these organizations operate was an unforgettable experience."

From observing capital markets in action to exploring industry intersections, students gained more than exposure - they gained clarity.

"As I finish my final semester at LMU, this experience has been the perfect catalyst for my career," said finance and entrepreneurship double major Christian Hellmund. "Seeing the hustle of NYC firsthand has only fueled my excitement for what's next."

LMU Regent Lynn Kimmel Johnson '80 was among several CBA alumni who came to NYC to celebrate the college that shaped their lives and careers.

"The alumni mixer at 30 Rock was incredibly energizing," she said. "Meeting students and alumni living in NYC, who were all so bright and articulate, made me so proud to be an LMU alum."

"My career has taken me to NYC more times than I can count," Kimmel Johnson continued. "I have walked past the entrance to the NYSE over 50 times but had never been inside. What a thrill to spend time on the trading floor, watching the digital ticker tape and market makers with their screens. I was very honored to have shared the experience with President Poon, Dean Smith, fellow regent Sandra Fuchs, faculty and staff, and, of course, all the students who were just soaking it in."

Robert Lu '03, a member of the Dean's Executive Council, joined the visit to the NYSE, where he learned about the evolution of the U.S. capital markets.

"Walking around on the NYSE trading floor while nearly $1 trillion changed hands was surreal," he said. "What stayed with me even more is the feeling of being there with faculty and students, learning and sharing the experience together in a place that carries so much history."

That shared experience - across generations, industries, and perspectives - is what made Wall Street Week more than a trip. It was a glimpse into the future.

Immersive programs like the NYC Career Trek reflect LMU's enduring commitment to preparing students not just for careers, but for impact - equipping them with the confidence, connections, and perspective to navigate and shape a rapidly evolving global economy.