Not sure what you want to do after high school? You’re not alone. That’s why we’re launching Next-Gen Jobs, a column that drops you inside some of the most popular — and unexpected! — careers people our age are actually chasing. Each month, a SUNN contributor shadows someone in their dream field to uncover the day-to-day reality alongside the bigger challenges and opportunities ahead. Rising Yale junior Dieynaba Ndiaye kicks us off with a look inside the high-stakes world of finance.
As a college student, it feels like I can’t go into a classroom without finding someone who dreams of landing an investment banking role. The industry has experienced a bump in popularity recently, with a 2025 survey from the CFA Institute finding that 37 percent of recent grads across 11 countries consider finance their top career choice, up from 24 percent two years prior.
As someone who will be interning with JPMorgan Asset Management next summer, I’m drawn to the industry’s wide range of opportunities. That’s why I wanted to get the industry scoop from Gloria Radeff. She’s a founding partner and the Chief Business Officer of LibreMax Capital, a Big Apple company that bills itself as a $13.6 billion asset management firm “specializing in securitized products and asset-backed finance.”
Although Radeff, a 1994 Duke University graduate, now serves in an executive leadership role, her career has spanned equity research at Bear Stearns and investing roles at Lehman Brothers and Diamondback Capital Management’s Technology, Media, and Telecommunications team — proof of the many paths available in finance. She’s the perfect person to tell us about the nitty-gritty of these jobs, how she sees the field changing for our generation, and what it takes to break into the industry.
A Day in the Life
As Chief Business Officer of a major asset management firm, no two days look the same for Radeff. While her past roles in the investing side of finance followed a relatively predictable rhythm centered around monitoring and evaluating new information — say, keeping up with news on supply chain disruptions and shipping delays that could provide insight into whether a company was likely to meet its quarterly targets — her current position requires her to expect the unexpected.
Her priorities are shaped by the evolving needs of both employees and clients. “Anything can come up,” she said, from human resources concerns and budget planning to recruitment decisions and the evaluation of emerging research tools such as artificial intelligence.
Why Finance
Radeff explained that finance roles teach you a lot. Whether it’s analytics, building presentations, participating in meetings, or interacting with clients, the skills gained in finance prepare people for success in virtually any profession. She knows people who left finance to pursue entirely different ventures, like one who entered the ice cream business.
What enabled those transitions, she explained, was the skill set they developed while working in finance. For many young professionals, it offers structure, security and professional development while allowing the flexibility to discover where their interests and strengths ultimately lie. Working in the field, she said, is a “springboard.”
When You’re Not Crunching Numbers…
On a note that might surprise readers, there can be room for fun alongside all the financial modeling and deal-signing. Radeff said that employee-led resource groups at LibreMax organize events that bring employees together, from NCAA tournament brackets to bimonthly outings like trivia contests and lawn games, ultimately strengthening relationships within the office.
There’s also volunteering that combines fun and purpose: One example is a sandwich-making competition in which employees race to prepare meals that are later donated to local food pantries.
How Finance is Changing for Gen Z
While artificial intelligence is still evolving, it has the potential to streamline research, improve efficiency, and assist analysts — a common early-career role in finance — in processing large amounts of information. However, Radeff said, analysts must first understand how to evaluate the investments they cover. Only then can they effectively leverage AI as a tool rather than a substitute for critical thinking.
For students entering the workforce, she believes a working knowledge of AI is increasingly needed because, while some schools maintain strict policies surrounding its use, the professional world has largely embraced the technology as a means of increasing efficiency and productivity. She said, “It is something you will see everywhere in the financial services world.”
How to Break into the Field
A few things help for landing a first role in finance. Radeff pointed out that while the ever-important college internships recruit surprisingly early, often during a student’s sophomore year, opportunities continue to exist beyond those initial recruiting cycles — so people should keep their eyes open. And rather than focusing solely on prestigious firms or coveted New York positions, she encouraged students to “take the experience” wherever they can find it.
She also emphasized the importance of interpersonal skills, which aren’t always drilled in the classroom but play a significant role in professional success. Employers want individuals who can engage with colleagues, communicate effectively with clients, and confidently contribute. Early career opportunities frequently stem not only from technical ability, but also from the capacity to build genuine connections and communicate well.
Networking is also key, whether on LinkedIn or through personal connections. “You have to take advantage of any opportunities you have,” Radeff said, “to reach out and ask for advice.” While finance may look purely technical from the outside, relationships are actually central.
