Hannah's WRIT340 Blog

Counting Pennies, Counting Patience: Navigating Wall Street with an Annoying Finance Bro How it All Started Despite being a business major at USC, my finance career choice was more coincidental than intentional. Since none of my parents worked in finance, I was unfamiliar with the industry. However, as a Marshall student, I quickly learned the sought-after jobs fell into finance or consulting. Rejected from multiple internships, I stumbled into an unexpected opportunity on Wall Street as a Risk Analyst. Skeptical but intrigued, I embarked on a journey that would soon be startled by the presence of an intern who we shall call “Brad.” The Internship in a Nutshell Before I introduce Brad, let’s break down risk management in banking. It’s divided into three main parts: 1. Market Risk  Financial markets can be unpredictable due to factors like interest rates, natural disasters, and tech changes. Market risk monitors such movements in the market and its corresponding losses.  2. Cre...

 Who You Are Matters  Home has always been an ambiguous concept. By age ten, I had transferred five schools, moved to four countries, and spoke three languages. I was born in Michigan to an automotive family. Since my dad was responsible for planning upcoming car releases, he was sent to multiple countries to work on car projects. Because of his work, I had the unique opportunity to live in the United States, England, Germany, and China. By definition, I’m considered a “third-culture kid,” which applies to individuals who spend a significant part of their childhood living outside their passport countries. When people ask me, “Where do you come from?” I often have a hard time deciding what to say. For simplicity purposes, I usually say I’m from Shanghai because I lived there for nine years.  Given my background, I’m very comfortable with change, and I find myself seeking a change in environment when I feel too stagnant, whether through travel or moving somewhere new. A...