Trojan Investing Playbook

Hedge Fund Recruiting w/ Daniel M.

Breaking into hedge funds as an undergrad is one of the most competitive and least transparent paths in finance. In this episode, we sit down with a Michigan Ross junior who recently went through the process to break down how it actually works - from early preparation to landing a sophomore summer role. We cover what makes hedge fund recruiting different from banking, how to build a strong stock pitch, and what it really means to develop an investor mindset. We also discuss what separates top candidates and what ultimately gets you the offer. If you’re interested in public markets investing or want to better understand this recruiting path, this is a great episode to listen to.

Breaking into Buyside

This week, we sat down with Aditya Vijayanagaram, Incoming Analyst at Ares Management (Direct Lending, LA), to break down how he went straight to the buyside out of undergrad. We cover what private credit actually is, how buyside recruiting differs from banking, what firms look for in candidates, and how to demonstrate an investor mindset in interviews, especially in credit-focused roles where downside analysis is key. If you’re interested in private markets or considering skipping IB for the buyside, this episode is a practical guide to getting started.

Corporate Development 101 w/ Davis Schmitz

This week, we sat down with Davis Schmitz, who began his career in investment banking at Lincoln International and is now Director of FP&A and Corporate Development at Mantis Innovation, to break down what Corporate Development actually looks like in practice. We discussed why he made the transition from IB to in-house M&A, how Corp Dev differs from traditional advisory roles, and what skill sets matter most coming from an investment banking background. If you’re interested in where an IB foundation can take you, especially into strategy-driven, operator-focused roles, this episode offers a clear, practical Corp Dev 101 from someone actively in the seat.

Breaking into Tech IB

We’re joined by Finny Ho (Perella Weinberg Partners) and Lucas Turcuato (Barclays), both Incoming Summer Analysts, to discuss what makes technology investment banking unique - from staying ahead of rapidly evolving tech sectors to how technical you really need to be. They also share a few recruiting blunders and key moments that helped shape their outcomes, offering practical insight for students heading into the next recruiting cycle.

NYC Recruiting with Aarav Sethi

This week, we spoke with Aarav Sethi, an incoming Summer Analyst at Lazard (NYC), about the logistics and timelines behind New York specific recruiting and how it differs from other regions. Aarav also shared his personal recruiting journey and offered practical advice on what sophomores should prioritize going into winter break to stay competitive.