by Kristen Simpson

T he $100,000 given to the Student Managed Investments Committee at Georgia College & State University is officially invested.

The new student organization is made up of an executive leadership board and 10 managing directors who oversee groups of 3-4 student analysts. To become a member, each student had to interview with leadership and complete a test of their financial knowledge.

“I’ve learned a lot about financial modeling, which has allowed me to teach other students in the club,” said Jeff DiBenedetto, junior finance major, co-founder and president of SMIC. “It's been a great experience, and I love helping other students. I’ve also learned a lot more about companies from hearing all the pitches every Tuesday.

Their executive leadership board is made up of five students who listen to the pitches of each group that represent the S&P 500’s sectors, except for a combination of materials and utilities.

 

Executive leadership comprises senior economics and finance double major Joseph Dubsky, co-founder of SMIC and VP of portfolio management; Whitman Kessinger, junior finance major and VP of membership; Lila Slay, senior mass communication major and VP of public relations; and Josh Johnson, senior economics-finance double major and VP of investment strategy.

The group reports progress on their LinkedIn page, and their first pitch of the semester has been approved. With an approval rating of 94.29%, SMIC has pitched Amazon stock as their next investment.\

“People tend to undersell themselves and their abilities,” Johnson said. “I never thought I could handle the difficulties of being involved in this and juggle being a double major, yet when faced with it, I ended up adjusting and doing well.”

“I hope people who want to join this organization, but are afraid of failing, will challenge themselves and trust that they will step up to the plate,” he said.

Each member on the board has lofty aspirations, and they think leading SMIC will help get them there. Johnson already has plans lined up with a financial planner in St. Simons Island, Georgia, after he graduates in December.

Dubsky wants to attend graduate studies and work in research with the Federal Reserve, Jeff wants to open a business with his brothers, Whitman will pursue banking or consulting and Slay wants to become a writer—and maybe, she said, Wall Street too.

“Joining SMIC truly was one of the greatest decisions I could have made for myself,” Kessinger said. “There are so many great organizations on campus, but I know this committee will help create a better future for myself.”

“It is a great opportunity to learn more about finance with real world applications that I hope to use in my career,” he said.

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