News Releases

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

As a May 2010 graduate in finance and accounting, Stephen Fessler’s new job as an investment banking analyst for New York’s Jefferies & Company has introduced him to a new life on Madison Avenue. The trade-off is that lately, Fessler rarely sees a familiar face.

“Most of my work is valuation-based,” Fessler said. “My group advises the management teams of various companies looking to raise capital, generally through a debt and/or equity offering. My job also allows me to work with companies on identifying and executing mergers and acquisitions.”

Jefferies & Company is considered one of the fastest growing investment banks on Wall Street. Its conservative business practices have allowed it to see positive growth while similar companies were hit hard by the recession.

Despite the 90- to 100-hour work weeks, Fessler loves his new job.

“This job has already given me a ton of responsibility. Since I’ve only been out of school a short time, the opportunities of this magnitude are few and far between.”

Fessler credits the KU School of Business Finance Scholars Program as a major aide in acquiring his new position at Jefferies & Company.

“The Finance Scholars was very helpful through every step of the process, encompassing everything from building the necessary network to technical interview preparation,” Fessler said. “New York has a strong Jayhawk community and everyone is willing to help out fellow alumni. School of Business professors also provided me invaluable advice during the job search process.”

Fessler’s daily subway commute to work makes him realize what he misses most about the University of Kansas: the familiar faces of the KU and Lawrence communities.

“Lawrence has such a friendly atmosphere and I miss seeing the same people on a regular basis. I definitely thrive on the exciting and fast paced aspects of New York, but I do miss being able to walk into a local establishment and always see a familiar face.”

For more stories like Fessler's, flip through the 2010 Annual Report of KU Finance.