Student Programs at the Investment Office
The Investment Office sponsors three programs for Williams College students interested in institutional investment management:
- Full-Time Investment Analyst Program: A two-year position open to graduating seniors;
- Summer Analyst Program: Summer positions open to rising juniors and seniors; and
- Winter Study Program: A winter study class open to sophomores and juniors.
The following are brief descriptions of each program. If you have questions regarding any of these programs, please contact us at Investmentoffice@williams.edu.
Full-time Investment Analyst Program
The Investment Analyst program is a two-year, full-time position. Each year, the office will hire one graduating Williams senior to join the Investment Office team, so that there will be two Investment Analysts working in the office at any given time. The Investment Analysts will be responsible for supporting the investment team with manager due diligence, ongoing portfolio analysis, and operational projects. In addition, the Investment Analyst will help prepare monthly performance reports and quarterly materials for Investment Committee and Advisory Committee meetings.
The Investment Analysts will receive comprehensive training at the outset of the position and throughout the two-year term of employment. Upon completion of the two-year term, the Investment Office will support each Investment Analyst in achieving his or her next career step (e.g. business school or other graduate school, employment elsewhere, etc.)
All seniors from any major are eligible to apply to the Investment Analyst program. The recruiting process takes place in the fall. Please see our posting on Route 2 for further information.
Summer Analyst Program
This unique opportunity is a structured program designed to give students an overview of endowment and investment management. Through formal training and project work, Summer Analysts will gain a better understanding of how an institutional investment portfolio is managed and how investment managers are selected and monitored. Students will learn about global equities, hedge funds, venture capital, buyouts, commodities, real estate and fixed income. Exposure will cut across U.S. and non-U.S. markets, both developed and emerging.
Summer Analysts are integral members of the Investment Office team and over the course of the summer will assist on projects that influence investment and operational decisions. Summer Analysts will sharpen their professional skills and have the opportunity to meet investment professionals from across the investment industry.
All rising juniors and seniors from any major are eligible to apply to the Summer Analyst program. The recruiting process takes place in January. Please see our posting on Route 2 for further information.
Winter Study Program (POEC 23 “Institutional Investment”)
The Investment Office hosts a Winter Study class (POEC 23) during the month of January. This course is an internship with the Williams College Investment Office in Boston. This is a structured program designed to give students an overview of endowment and investment management and is an abbreviated version of the Summer Analyst Program. Students work on projects, while participating in training and professional development opportunities. The instructors are investment professionals in the Williams College Investment Office.
The work will be based in Boston and will run for four weeks during Winter Study. Students are expected to work at the office for a minimum of 32 hours a week (four days/week), complete a set of relevant readings, keep a journal, and write an analytic essay. No prerequisites are required.
All sophomores and juniors from any major are eligible to apply for the Winter Study Program. The application process takes place in the early fall, before course selection for Winter Study. Please see the course catalogue for more details on our Winter Study class.
Words from Past Analysts
“My internship included a week of intensive training, work on many interesting group and individual projects in ten different asset classes, participation in team strategy discussions, manager visits, relaxed lunches in a beautiful sunny park nearby, and fun team getaways, be it a fancy restaurant or a trivia night at a bar. Every day was different, and it was always educational, interesting and in a great company!”
— Marika Aleksieieva, Summer Analyst during summer 2011
“My summer experience at the Investment Office was amazing. Everyone at the Office was understanding of my lack of experience, willing to answer all of my questions about our projects and providing advice about the different potential careers within the industry. We were also able to gain experience working within all ten asset classes, ending the summer with projects within the asset classes that most interested us. The experience was invaluable to me, and helped me to determine the next step for my career.”
— Amy McLaughlin, Summer Analyst during summer 2011
