Name: Chad Bureau
Expected Graduation Year: 2020
Major(s): Financial Management, Management
Emphasis: Corporate Finance, Business Analytics
Minor(s): Accounting
Hometown: Gainesville, GA
Why did you choose Finance as a major?
Finance appealed to me as an incoming freshman because of my interest in financial markets and the finance side of business. Working as a retail associate in the summer prior to my first year at Clemson, I became acquainted with Quickbooks and the capital resources required to scale the business. From there I knew I wanted to learn more about the topic.
What career field/job would you like to pursue after graduating?
Currently, I am interested in pursuing one of two different career paths. The first is management consulting and the second investment banking.
What has been your favorite/most memorable moment at Clemson?
My most memorable moment at Clemson so far is travelling down to Tampa Bay, FL to watch the Tigers beat Alabama 35-31 in the 2017 National Championship Game.
Any recent accomplishments?
Most recently I was honored to be inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, earn the Bank of America Scholarship, and continue my involvement in the Thomas F. Chapman Leadership Scholars Program.
Do you have a great internship experience you’d like to share?
During the 2018 summer I worked in Buckhead, GA for Accel-KKR, a private equity firm investing in primarily software and technology-enabled services firms. I collaborated with the AKKR Consulting Group on projects focused on the firm’s portfolio companies.
What do you think prepared you the most?
My financial modeling course with Professor Wolf and my prior internship experience was great preparation for working with Accel-KKR. The firm is very fast paced and relies on their interns to be self-starters who do not rely on structured training. Fortunately, my academic and intern experiences equipped me with the abilities to quickly get up to speed and bring value to the firm.
Any words of advice to other students?
Relationships. I continue to learn that forming relationships with professors, faculty/staff, peers, and others in the workplace is key to achieving your personal goals. If you can make a connection with someone by being personable and genuine, then those people will be there to support you when you need it.