Nov 15, 2007 -- As part of an exciting new initiative for Yeshiva University undergraduates, the Sy Syms School of Business Student Council, in conjunction with the YU Office of Alumni Affairs and the Career Development Center, recently hosted “Wall Street Connections,” a two-part series of panel discussions and networking events connecting undergraduates with accomplished alumni in the financial sector. Representing the top firms on Wall Street, participating alumni spoke about what it takes to have a successful finance career, which proved inspirational for students. Senior Yehuda Feldman, president of the Sy Syms Student Council and a driving force in putting this series together, said, “We have an incredible experience in the classroom. This series is a way to better inform students of the possibilities that are out there after school.” The series addressed a real need for the post-graduate plans of Syms, Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women students. According to Michael Ginzberg, dean of the Syms School, “We have a lot of motivated and bright students who are interested in careers on Wall Street, but relatively few who go to Wall Street. It’s important that alumni are helping to prepare students.” More than 250 students attended the first program, “What is Wall Street?” on Oct. 9. Speaking on topics such as trading, research, investment banking, operations, and alternative investing, the panel included: Evelyn S. Havasi ’82S, ’85C, managing director at Citigroup Global Markets; Jeffrey M. Silber ’84Y, managing director at BMO Capital Markets; Ezra S. Lightman ’95S, senior vice president for investment banking at Jefferies & Company, Inc; Leon M. Metzger, adjunct professor at Columbia, New York and Yale Universities; and Andrew Herenstein ’84Y, managing principal at Quadrangle Group. Moderated by Daniel E. Posner ’91Y, managing director at DE Shaw & Co, the panel introduced students to various career paths and options. After the Q & A, more than 40 alumni joined students for a lively networking session. Divided up by various areas within finance, this part of the evening allowed students to speak on a more intimate basis with graduates about their Wall Street experiences. The second evening, “How to Get a Job on Wall Street,” held Oct. 30, focused more specifically on resume preparation, the interviewing process, and self-marketing. The 150 students who attended were treated to first-hand wisdom and knowledge from: Deborah Ifrah ’99S, vice president at JP Morgan Securities; Ben Smilchensky ’84Y, managing director at Deutsche Bank; Burton Weinstein ’84Y, managing director at Cedarview Capital; and C. Howard Wietschner ’88Y, managing director at Goldman, Sachs and Co. Moderated by Sender Z. Cohen ’94, managing director at Soros Fund Management, the panel was also followed by a student/alumni networking event. At the first session, panelist Evelyn Havasi spoke about the challenges of securing a job on Wall Street: “Wall Street continues to be a man’s world, in many respects. I love what I do, and wanted to share with students the fulfillment that I’ve experienced, as someone with both a high-powered career and full family life.” For C. Howard Wietschner and Andrew Herenstein, alumni involvement in programming like this is critical. Wietschner, part of the second session, also noted the energy and excitement generated among the student body. “Educating students is just the first step,” he said. “A few years down the road, when these students have advanced in their careers and they start giving back to YU students, then we’ll know it was a success.”