Jacob Hoertdoerfer
Hometown: Winchester, MA
Year in School: Senior
Interests/Hobbies:
Boston Sports, Badger Football, F1, Golf, Hockey, Traveling, Poker
Involvements/Employment/Activities:
I serve on the board of directors for both the Finance and Investment Society (FIS), where I was formerly President, and the Sales & Trading and Asset Management Club (STAM), where I was previously Vice President of External Affairs. Additionally, I am a portfolio analyst and the career development chair for the Capital Management Club (CMC). During my junior year, I was an equity derivatives trader for a student-run hedge fund, Maverick SMF, and this year, I am a credit analyst in the UW-Madison Hawk Center’s Applied Securities Analysis Program (ASAP). Additionally, I am the career peer advisor for the Economics Career Development Office on campus.
Where is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite spot is the MemU terrace or Smitty’s study pub in the Fluno Center. They are my go-to spots for food, studying, and hanging out with friends and family.
What has been your favorite Econ course?
International Macroeconomics (Econ 461) with Stella Chan. I enjoyed learning the theory and then applying the concepts to current events. I’d recommend it to all Econ majors!
If you have any other majors or certificates in addition to Econ, how did you decide to add Econ or add the other major/certificate?
I was always interested in macroeconomics and global markets, so an economics major was an easy choice. While I am not pursuing another major or certificate, I have been able to take finance, psychology, political science, and data science classes that align with my interests.
How do you manage your course load?
I manage my life on outlook. Everything from my courses, extracurriculars, and daily activities are on my calendar. I typically use Sundays to map out the week and make sure I am keeping up with my responsibilities.
Where did you intern/research, and did you have a good experience? Why or why not?
I interned at UBS in Wealth Management, Martin Investment Management in Equity Research, and Jefferies in Equity Sales & Trading. I enjoyed all the experiences, and it was great to try many different roles to see what I was most interested in pursuing after graduating.
What advice do you have for students seeking an internship/research experience?
Be persistent and leverage your resources. Internships are often hard to obtain, but the process is easier when you utilize the career offices on campus, upperclassmen who have been through the process, and mentors who are willing to give you advice.
Do you know what you want to do after graduation? If yes, what? If not, what advice would you give to another student who may not know either?
I will be returning to Jefferies in New York City as an Equity Swaps trader within the Global Markets division.