Frequently Asked Questions


Why will potential employers value the Robert Day Scholar designation?

What career placement support can I expect?

What types of career paths do Robert Day Scholars pursue?

What is the placement record of the Robert Day Scholars?

What employers recruit from the Robert Day School?

Will the Director of External Relations assist me in exploring international opportunities for employment?

What types of career activities can I expect during the program?

Will I have access to alumni?

Why will potential employers value the Robert Day Scholar designation?
In planning this degree program, Claremont McKenna interviewed leaders of financial institutions, consultancy firms, accounting firms and government agencies. Employers consistently expressed their need for well-rounded, independent thinking young people with the education, skills and competencies to make meaningful contributions to their organizations. Therefore, from student selection through the curriculum and co-curricular programs, this degree program was constructed with employer expectations in mind.

Additionally, employers will value this Program because of its focus on real-world application of advanced finance theories and tools. The curriculum draws upon advanced knowledge of finance to teach improved decision making, through, for example, scientific approaches to evaluating and analyzing data. Furthermore, the Program's co-curricular activities allow graduate students to master other essential workplace skills, such as the clear communication of quantitative data.

What career placement support can I expect?
Whether you are interested in a career in the financial services industry, or a more niche position that combines your specific interests with finance, the Director of External Relations will assist with the following:

  • Career Exploration - Due to their specialized training in finance and exceptional leadership skills, graduate students have promising career paths in the financial services industry, although they are qualified to work in nearly every field. The Director of External Relations assists graduate students in exploring all available career paths through individual counseling sessions and informational interviews with alumni. Furthermore, graduate students have access to a full array of career resources available through the College's Career Services Center, including a variety of assessment tools, which identify strengths that should be leveraged, as well as areas in need of skill development.
  • Employer Outreach/ Alumni Access - Claremont McKenna alumni are very involved in mentoring and networking with graduate students and provide a very active role in supporting graduate placement. In addition to the numerous events which allow graduate students to interact with alumni, graduate students are able to search the College's extensive alumni database and utilize the Director of External Relations to make appropriate introductions.
  • Resume and Cover Letter Preparation - Claremont McKenna Career Services Center professionals and the Director of External Relations assist graduate students in compiling, editing and updating resumes through individual consultations. The resume and cover letter assistance is tailored to the specific interests of each graduate student and utilizes industry professionals to ensure that feedback is relevant and significant.
  • Interview Preparation - Graduate students are encouraged to participate in multiple mock interviews with industry and career service professionals at the College's Career Services Center, which is equipped with private interview rooms and video recording capabilities. Through this mock interview experience, graduate students are able to practice a broad range of interview styles, from behavioral to technical, and receive feedback regarding their performance.
  • Employment Search Assistance - Throughout your employment search, the Director of External Relations will assist you in reaching your employment goal. Due to the small size of the Program, the Director of External Relations is able to reach out to specific employers with you in mind. Additionally, graduate students have access to many employment search tools, such as a web based recruiting system, an alumni database and a full service Career Services Center, equipped with a library, private interview rooms, video conferencing and faxing capabilities.
  • On Campus Application Submission and Interviews - Graduate students are able to submit applications to employers representing a broad range of industries through the Claremont McKenna Career Services Center. Additionally, graduate students are encouraged to participate in the on campus interview process, which allows graduate students the convenience to interview with a variety of employers on campus.
  • Negotiating Employment Offers and Salary - The Director of External Relations is available to assist all Scholars in securing additional time for decision-making and providing recommendations on salary negotiations.

Additionally, the College's nationally recognized Career Center has an excellent reputation for placing students in major organizations within the financial industry, along with a variety of other arenas.

What types of career paths are Robert Day Scholars prepared for?
Graduates of this Program are well qualified for any position that requires advanced analytical skills, thoughtful decision-making, and effective communication. We anticipate that many of our graduate students will pursue careers in various sectors of the financial services industry, corporate finance and consulting. In particular, graduates of this Program are well prepared to excel in:

  • Asset Management
  • Capital Markets
  • Commercial Banking
  • Consulting
  • Corporate Banking
  • Financial Planning
  • Fund Management
  • Investment Banking
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Private Banking
  • Private Equity
  • Private Wealth Management
  • Ratings
  • Real Estate
  • Risk Management
  • Sales and Trading
  • Valuation
  • Venture Capital

What is the placement record of the Robert Day Scholars Program?
Since this is the inaugural year of the Program, we do not have a pervious placement record. However, our Recruiting Partners have demonstrated strong interest in hiring graduates from this Program.

What employers recruit from the Robert Day School?
A variety of prestigious employers from the financial, consultancy and accounting industries regularly hire from Claremont McKenna College. For specific employer information, please see our list of Recruiting Partners. Additionally, through both the Claremont McKenna Career Center and the Director of External Relations, graduate students have access to a range of employers from other industries.

Will the Director of External Relations assist me in exploring international opportunities for employment?
The Robert Day School recognizes that finance is an international field. As a result, the Director of External Relations will work individually with each graduate student to reach out to employers, alumni and faculty connections throughout the world.

What types of career activities can I expect during the Program?
As a graduate student, career activities will begin before your courses even start, with networking events and career focused workshops (resume writing, networking and interviewing) during the three-week special seminar in August. Throughout the year, students are invited to attend a wide selection of industry panel discussions, recruitment fairs and on campus interviews hosted by both the College and the Robert Day School. Additionally, students have an opportunity to network with prominent leaders in business, finance and government through the Speaker Series, which brings speakers to the College to share their perspectives and knowledge. Furthermore, the Robert Day School currently sponsors a networking trip to New York and anticipates an international networking trip, depending on the career interests of the graduate students.

  • Industry Panels and Presentations - The Director of External Relations and the Claremont McKenna Career Services Center provide graduate students with opportunities to learn about numerous companies through on campus, industry specific panels and presentations. Through these events, prominent business leaders and academic figures (many of whom are Claremont McKenna alumni) describe their firms, discuss career paths and answer student questions. Graduate students also have an opportunity to attend special events, such as Speaker Series programs, where past presenters have included public figures such as Bill Clinton and Bono, top educators such as Richard Thaler (University of Chicago) and Josh Lerner (Harvard) and business leaders, such as Henry Kravis (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.). In addition to learning from these distinguished leaders, graduate students are given an opportunity to network with the Speaker Series presenters through exclusive receptions.
  • Workshops - Graduate students participate in a variety of career oriented, industry specific workshops from the inception of the Program. These workshops cover topics such as networking strategies, business etiquette, resume drafting, cover letter drafting, interviewing and communication skills. The workshops are designed exclusively for graduate students in the Program and present advanced, sophisticated career tools and advice.
  • Networking Trips -The Robert Day School currently sponsors a networking trip to New York and anticipates an international networking trip, depending on the career interests of the graduate students. Additionally, graduate students have the opportunity to join student organization and alumni events in various cities throughout the world.

Will I have access to alumni?
Claremont McKenna alumni bring a strong tradition of entrepreneurial success to their very active role in supporting graduate placement. Graduate students are able to search the College's extensive alumni database and utilize the Director of External Relations to make appropriate introductions.

Questions?

Please contact Michelle Chamberlain, the Director of External Relations, at mchamberlain@cmc.edu or (909) 607-8555.