Learning to invest – with real money

You could spend hours on end theorizing about the value of an investment, but putting it into practice is a different matter altogether.

The Applied Investment Management (AIM) class at UNC Kenan-Flagler allows students to put the concepts they learn in finance class to practice. They get real-life exposure to managing a fund worth more than $2 million.

Here are some of my key takeaways from the AIM class.

Leadership and teamwork

The core values at UNC Kenan-Flagler are in live display in the class. As the fund manager of the energy sector within the fund, I get to lead a team of MBA and Undergraduate Business students that analyzes investments in the space and pitches it to the rest of the class to vote on. It is an incredible opportunity to put these skills to action in real time.

Learning

I can’t emphasize enough the learning aspect this class affords. For me, making an investment in myself by deciding to come back to business school meant that I would challenge myself to grow and learn during my time here at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

Through AIM I have learned about the energy sector and the challenges and opportunities facing it in a particularly volatile and interesting time. I have had conversations with faculty within the energy area to understand different business models within the sector and where the opportunity for the future lies.

Job opportunity

AIM brings in a series of speakers who teach students about analyzing and valuing companies. Every speaker is well established within the industry and can be excellent connections to help secure positions within the investment management industry.

Even if you are not necessarily recruiting within investment management, the ability to strategically think about businesses and value their underlying assets can translate well during an interview. The AIM class helps you build that knowledge expertise and it is an invaluable tool when it comes to recruiting within any industry.

For me, the best part about this class is that it is practical in nature and the students are directly involved in the curriculum being taught. Imagine having that kind of freedom to learn. It happens at UNC Kenan-Flagler and it happens right here in the Applied Investment Management class.

By Luv Sodha (MBA ’18)