SARASOTA, Fla. (March 18, 2019) – USF Sarasota-Manatee is hosting a special event this week to connect business students with financial services companies in an effort to address an industry need while also advancing the students’ careers.
The event, the Bloomberg Certified Talent Recruitment Luncheon, is set for Friday and designed to pair hiring representatives of financial services companies with USFSM business students certified to operate Bloomberg computer terminals.
Bloomberg computers are used by finance professionals to monitor and study real-time financial market data worldwide. Users can delve into equities, foreign markets and economies, and explore mergers and acquisitions.
Thanks to a donation three years ago by Sarasota-based Cumberland Advisors and its chairman, David Kotok, USFSM acquired 12 Bloomberg terminals – the most of any university in Florida – and established a Bloomberg teaching laboratory.
The lab, situated on the campus’ second floor, enables students to learn about the terminals’ functions to become “Bloomberg certified,” a highly valued financial industry designation.
“Programs like these are an excellent partnership between business and education,” Career Services Coordinator Antonia Ripo said. “Along with a degree in business, this certification makes our students competitive and ready to enter into rewarding careers in our area and beyond.”
Eddie Sanchez, a finance professor in the College of Business and director of the David Kotok and Cumberland Advisors Bloomberg Lab at USFSM, said having the certification can open doors to internships and jobs for students and business school graduates.
“Students looking to obtain a competitive edge and valuable knowledge of financial markets would gain substantially from learning how to operate a Bloomberg terminal, and boost their skillset,” he said.
So far, close to 200 USFSM students have obtained the Bloomberg certification.
The luncheon is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at USFSM’s Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, contact Director of Development Paul Bova at pbova@usf.edu.