Dickinson Hosts First-Ever Financial Modeling Bootcamp

Burgess Institute event helps students build skills needed to kickstart careers in finance

by Tony Moore

Last week, Dickinson students took a deep dive into the world of financial modeling at the college’s first Financial Modeling Bootcamp. Organized by Dickinson's Student Investment Group ()—one of the college's more than 120 clubs and student organizations—in collaboration with Training the Street, the event provided students with experience and skills essential to kickstarting careers in finance.

“The Student Investment Group was excited to organize Dickinson’s first-ever financial modeling bootcamp,” says Jay Basto ’25 (international business & management), a member of SIG and one of the event’s organizers. “This experience allowed students to apply concepts from their finance and accounting courses to more complex financial models while advancing their Excel skills.”

The Burgess Institute for the Global Economy funded the bootcamp, making it accessible to all interested students at no cost. Held in Althouse 204, the all-day intensive session was led by a teaching associate at Training the Street, a premier financial training firm that equips new hires at top-tier financial institutions with the skills necessary to succeed in the industry.

A Hands-On Learning Experience

During the session, students built a fully integrated three-statement model, incorporating forecasts for the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement using real-world assumptions. The course followed a step-by-step approach, starting with a simple model and progressing to a robust circular model, ensuring that students gained a solid understanding of financial modeling fundamentals.

"This event aligns perfectly with the mission of the Burgess Institute by providing students in any major opportunities to build a strong foundation in business and finance," says Steve Riccio, executive director of the Burgess Institute and senior lecturer in international business & management. "We want to offer opportunities to strengthen financial literacy for all students, while also providing more in-depth training for students interested in careers in finance, and the bootcamp was a home run."

Perfect for students who want to know more about such topics as investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, financial research and venture capital, the course also gave students access to Training the Street’s online Financial Modeling course, allowing them to continue refining their skills beyond the classroom.

“This was a great opportunity for students to develop essential tools that will give them a competitive edge as they prepare for careers in finance,” Basto adds.

Looking Ahead

Given the success of the bootcamp, SIG hopes to continue hosting training sessions to equip students with real-world financial skills. For information about future similar opportunities, students can connect with the SIG or the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy.

The bootcamp was made possible through a collaboration with Barry Schnell ’91, chief commercial officer at Training the Street, whose support helped bring this invaluable opportunity to campus.

Launched this fall, the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy provides practical learning experiences, mentorships, industry experiences and networking opportunities to prepare students for successful futures in business and finance—no matter what major they're pursuing.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Published March 7, 2025

蘑菇视频