Smith Career Day Features Alumni in Banking, Consulting, and Finance

Sept. 23, 2025

Hosted by Career Readiness + Student Success and the Babson Center for Global Commerce on Thursday, Sept. 18, Smith Career Day gave Sewanee students a chance to interact with young alumni to learn more about the fields of banking, consulting, and finance.

The day consisted of one-on-one conversations, panel discussions, and presentations that provided students from all majors with guidance on how to succeed in the recruiting and hiring process, as well as how to chart a path towards rewarding careers in those fields.

"That Sewanee connection is something that you can’t really find anywhere else,” says Jake Walling, C’26. “It’s good to have these people here—who have been where you want to go—that you can learn from and who can help you grow.”

The program sessions this year focused on finance interview skills, consulting case interview skills, recruiters’ advice for succeeding as a candidate, and insider insight into the banking, consulting, and finance fields. In addition to attending the panels and presentations, participating students also had the opportunity to network with the returning alumni via one-on-one conversations, where they benefited from hearing more personal pieces of advice.

“One of the greatest things I learned in the classroom and in the community here was that you can make a difference,” says Francesca George, C’23. “So when you find something that sparks your interest: Take it, run with it, and do something good with it.”

Alumni participating in Smith Career Day 2025 included: 

  • Isabel Berbert, C’06, Wealth Advisor, SignatureFD
  • Jonny Crumly, C’20, Private Wealth Advisor, Goldman Sachs
  • Gracie Evans, C’21, Senior Consultant & Chief of Staff, NTT Data
  • Roberto Ferrey, C’24, International Tax Consultant, Deloitte
  • Francesca George, C’23, Senior Strategist, BCG Brighthouse
  • Matthew Holcomb, C’21, Private Equity Associate, Partners Group
  • Ann-Meg Keatley, C’18, Senior Vice President/Credit Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners
  • Hawkins Schnabel, C’24, Analyst, Harris Williams
  • Justin Smith, C’10, ARG Senior Portfolio Manager, Truist
  • Sara Walker, C’05, Talent Director and Head of Recruiting, Harris Williams

Smith Career Day is generously supported by the Joel A. Smith III, C’67, Fund.

Career Readiness at Sewanee

Outcomes
First Destinations after Graduation

Sewanee graduates get the job. Over 95% of each year’s graduating class is employed, continuing education, in the military, or participating in a fellowship or service commitment within six months of graduation. Top career fields include: business, finance, and consulting; education; law; medicine; and environment and sustainability. Review the first destinations data to see where Sewanee alumni launched their careers.

See Sewanee Alumni's First Destinations
Career Readiness
Support at Every Stage of the Journey

From day one, we’ll work with you to design a four-year experience that connects to your values, meets your goals, and prepares you for a meaningful and purposeful career. You’ll be matched with a career readiness and student success coach, enjoy regular campus events, have access to internships—and funding—just for Sewanee students, and get connected to Sewanee’s 20,000 strong network of alumni who are ready to help you on your way.

Explore Career Readiness Resources
Undergraduate Research
Hands-On Learning, On and Off the Domain

Big questions are out there. At Sewanee, we'll work together to find the answers. Faculty from all disciplines—sciences, humanities, fine arts, and more—bring their scholarship into the classroom and create opportunities for students to pursue original research. And thanks to the Sewanee Pledge, students are guaranteed funding for a summer research fellowship or internship with a Sewanee professor or another approved program.

Check Out Research Opportunities