#LeadersAndBest

[rossoch]

Flash back to my senior year of high school. The much anticipated college essays. The prompt? Why Michigan. Having sported maize and blue since the age of 3, many reasons were obvious: the education, the culture, the admiration and passion for a school unlike any other, and the largest support system and alumni network in the world, but those reasons were obvious; a given! For me, my hours spent looking over resources and classes and opportunities within Ross and at the University of Michigan led me to one that stood out: The Och Initiative. Having an initial interest in finance within the business school, it seemed like the perfect opportunity and fit for me to explore my interest and a career that I knew was traditionally more difficult for women to find a way into. Fast forward to the fall of my sophomore year, I would soon realize how much this trip, opportunity and subject of my “Why Michigan Essay”, would impact my undergraduate experience and help to forge my path as I find my way in business and beyond. 

Like all things today, I knew our Trek would look and feel “different”. Although initially bummed that we wouldn’t be able to run to catch subways and taste test every NY pizza slice within reach, our Trek became special and unique for its own reasons. 

3 Fridays

5 cups of coffee

8 pages of notes

Passionate Zoom chat box debates

Fuzzy slippers

The pajama pant and blazer jacket combo

A community of extremely passionate and driven women studying in Ann Arbor and beyond to go through this experience alongside

While it couldn’t take place face to face, none of the information, passion, knowledge, or connections were lost. From firm to firm, over a computer screen and in different homes, offices and desks across the company we were able to get a feel for companies across the globe and whose financial roles differed completely. Our questions were always embraced and appreciated, and with every company we gained an overall understanding of who they were and what they did, but dived so much deeper into the type of community and role they played as we had the opportunity to speak one on one with representatives who were some of the highest up and experienced at the firm as well as recent Michigan alumni who had been in our shoes only a few years ago. With every visit, I learned more about finance and more about how every role, company and culture differed in amazing ways. With every experience, I learned more and more about where and how I could fit into finance and was able to learn alongside other amazing women in my position who had the same interests, curiosities and desires to learn more like I did. 

There is no one part of the experience that I can pinpoint as the best because truly the entire Trek was amazing. This was an opportunity that I dreamed about long before arriving as a student in Ann Arbor and an experience I am beyond grateful for now that I have had the opportunity to participate. If you are reading this, and are considering applying, I am begging you to! I cannot begin to tell you how impactful and informational it has been and how much I have gained as I walk away from my first Och Trek experience. 

My experience because of Och has only furthered my desire to pursue finance and make a difference as a woman in finance and I am forever grateful for the opportunity I received to be a part of this Trek and community of women.

- Jensen Gutzwiller University of Michigan Class of 2023

[michiganengineering]

Mayukh Nath, Computer Engineering Undergraduate Student inspects the upper unit on the Mi-TEE (Miniature Tether Electrodynamics Experiment) cubesat inside a CLaSP laboratory on North Campus in Ann Arbor, MI. before it launches into Earth's Ionosphere.

The space mission being planned by multiple student teams composed of undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral students at the University of Michigan will test miniature electrodynamic tethers as a propulsion concept for small satellites. 

The potential of the platform is tremendous: the low cost of launching satellites like picosats and femtosats into orbit due to their low mass and small size enables new paradigms for space missions using large numbers of spacecraft. Coordinated fleets of these satellites could provide the ability to perform simultaneous, multi-point sensing and rapid re-measurement of a single location.

Photo by Robert Coelius/ Michigan Engineering, Communications and Marketing

[blackfokapparel]

GO BLUE! All day, everyday. #leadersandbest #goblue (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpK1SEVAcyz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15ut6swruh9hj

[hscarcello]

A sentimental journey through the stunning structures of one of Scarcello Associates favorite clients @michiganross @uofmichigan @kohnpedersenfox #michiganarchitecture #annarbor #goblue #leadersandbest (at The Ross School of Business)

[ddrenched-in-paint]

I did a smart people thing today #umflint #umflintgrad #umicharts #leadersandbest #hail #umichalumni (at Flint, Michigan)

[giofvcks]

Just a couple University of Michigan-Flint graduates rooting for the Mighty M #GoBlue baby! Hail Yeah 💛💙💛💙〽️ #DegreesOnDegrees #ProudWolverines #umflint #HailYeah #HailToTheVictors #LeadersAndBest #MaizeAndBlue #umflintalumni #BlackScholarsMatter (at Mo Pete's Sports Retreat)

[n8man31]

#awinningtradition #quarterbacku #leadersandbest #1997nationalchampions #michiganfootball #letsgoblue (at Central Naples, Naples, Florida)

[natedrink]

If either of Ohio State’s remaining two games - Dec. 5 at Michigan State & Dec. 12 vs. Michigan - are canceled, Buckeyes would be ineligible for Big Ten title game, but ironically could still be chosen for @CFBPlayoff berth. #gohawks #hawkeyes #goblue #maizeandblue #cfb #gobucks #nikon #sportsart #fortnite #kinnick #collegefootball #bigten #b1gfootball #columbusohio #problue #kirksdawgs #football #coachjim #ohiostate #iowahawkeyes #columbusnewbornphotographer #hawkeyefootball #harbaugh #umich #leadersandbest #iowa #columbusohionewbornphotographer #iowafootball #hawkeyenation #rondalemoore TWITTER- https://twitter.com/Natedrink Instagram- https://Instagram.com/natedrink1 YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/Natedrink1ADOW DONATE- CASH APP $NathanDrinkard https://www.instagram.com/p/CIHrHJ6DhDn/?igshid=1icpf0mtec2wf

[myloveaffairwithbasketball]

Go Blue! 💛🏀💙 〽️ #hail #wolverines #goblue #umich #marchmadness #ncaabasketball #maize #blue #leadersandbest💙💛 #umichbasketball #loveandbasketball #finalfour #basketball #domoresayless

[gao7507]

Do you know what the names of these three Chinese leaders are? 😊 #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #motivation #leadershipquotes #leaders #success #exo #suho #leadershiptraining #leadershipcoach #leadersuho #entrepreneur #inspiration #leader #leadershipconference #leadershift #leadersofthelatinogreekmovement #leadersoftomorrow #leadersofthenewschool #leaderscreateleaders #business #goals #leadersarereaders #exol #leadershape #leadersandbest #leadersuhoday #leaderships #leaderslead #junmyeon

[rossoch]

These past few Fridays have been incredible, inspirational, and enlightening! Although we were not catching any subway rides or navigating the busy streets of NYC, the Och New York trek has been jam-packed nonetheless. In total, we met with nine different companies in the following chronological order: Sculptor Capital, Comcast/NBC Universal, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, Google, Royal Bank of Canada, Barclays, and American Express. Each session was packed with loads of information and good conversation! Every firm took a different approach: some preferred to do a formal corporate presentation, while others placed more emphasis on breakout room sessions, and a mix of both was used as well. I found every format engaging in its own way and always learned something new. We took a deep dive into all aspects of finance, from sell-side to PE to corporate.

Overall, I could not think of a better way to spend my Fridays! A big thanks to Claire and Diana for all their hard work in organizing and structuring the entire three week Och experience! It allowed us to get a first taste of the professional corporate world as just sophomore college students. Also, I am deeply grateful for each company and employee that I was able to meet: the trek simply would not have been possible without them. The same goes for our donors who helped immensely in providing us this opportunity. Finally, words cannot express how fortunate I am to have learned from and talked with Finance industry professionals alongside this cohort of amazing girls. I truly felt a sense of community and believe that we will continue to provide a network of support and push another in a field where we are currently underrepresented but definitely have the courage and confidence to change that in the near future!

~ Cindy Wang, NYC Och Trek 2020

[giofvcks]

It’s been so long since we hung out! It was a pleasure catching up with @aye_yo_josh today! Millennial movers and shakers! #KingsBeLike #QueensBeLike #Detroit #Flint #313 #810 #umflintgrads #umflintsalumni #GoBlue #LeadersAndBest #changethenarrative #representationmatters (at 501 Bar and Grill)

[natedrink]

Saturday’s Ohio State at Illinois game canceled because of COVID issues at Ohio State. #gohawks #hawkeyes #goblue #maizeandblue #cfb #gobucks #nikon #sportsart #fortnite #kinnick #collegefootball #bigten #b1gfootball #columbusohio #problue #kirksdawgs #football #coachjim #ohiostate #iowahawkeyes #columbusnewbornphotographer #hawkeyefootball #harbaugh #umich #leadersandbest #iowa #columbusohionewbornphotographer #iowafootball #hawkeyenation #rondalemoore TWITTER- https://twitter.com/Natedrink Instagram- https://Instagram.com/natedrink1 YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/Natedrink1ADOW DONATE- CASH APP $NathanDrinkard https://www.instagram.com/p/CIHqIH5DLDC/?igshid=1cf9yrle4k3se

[ivyleaguemystic]

On my way out of Ann Arbor, my arms my hands which guided the steering wheel to my freshman dorm on The Hill: Stockwell. It's been at least twelve years since I've been inside this building. I walked by my old window and remembered the girl who sat inside of her room thinking about all she would do. Then I thought about all the hinges I've done that she could not have imagined. I'm really proud of both of these Selves and there is so much more to come. Smiling from the inside tonight. #grateful #michiganalum #goblue #itsgreattobeamichiganwolverine #leadersandbest #hail #love #light (at Stockwell Hall)

[rossoch]

Fall 2020 New York Virtual Trek

Bridget Folk, New York Virtual Trek Fall 2020

  I am extremely thankful for my time on the Och Trek this fall. From being someone who did not grow up in a household knowing anyone in the finance industry, it was very intriguing to actually hear from those who have chosen this career path. The Och trek has given me hope and pride in seeing so many Michigan Alumni thriving in their careers. While it was hard to virtually attend the trek, it was still very meaningful and gave me the same opportunities I would have gained if it was in person. My favorite part of the many exciting parts of the trek was talking to NBC Comcast about their corporate finance program, and seeing how large of an umbrella they hold over many other brand names. I had no idea NBC Comcast had owned so many trademarks, and it was very intriguing to see all of its success. 

  Another thing that I found to be meaningful was actually learning what a typical day to day is in investment banking, as well as how hands on the job truly is. It is amazing how much responsibility is given to someone at such a young age in large deals such as mergers and acquisitions. Although I do not know which path of finance I want to go down, the Och Trek Initiative definitely gave me a knowledge of each sector of finance, as well as the lifestyle of each, and I am so beyond grateful for that opportunity. 

[rossochday]

Typical of Och Treks, this day also started bright and early at 8am. I was excited to reunite with ladies on the previous Chicago trek and meet new people. At first, I was skeptical of the 2.5hr drive one way but the great bus driver, Jim, in his hat and matching tie, foreshadowed an equally amazing day! Go Blue!

The day flew past and we were busy doing something every second of our visit at Whirlpool. From the talk by Chris Bealer, the North American Division CFO to the tour of the innovation garage that showcased the latest product, Vessi, everything provided a first-hand insight to the company. I love going on these treks because seeing something in flesh is completely different to something you research on the internet or hear about. Whirlpool did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome and the whole tour reflected the thought and effort they had put into hosting us. Furthermore, I really enjoyed seeing the HQ firsthand and walking through the open offices where the employees were working and I thought the whiteboard walls were very clever. It was much easier to imagine myself potentially working here than the showroom we visited back in Chicago during Fall Break, although both buildings were beautiful. A personal favorite of mine was the community tour when we explored downtown, the art scene and the beach. Yes - the beach! This was the most valuable to me because it showcased an atypical workplace with a better work-life balance, considering the other Treks are in big cities.     

- Rui Zhong