Prepare for Fall 2023 Forté College Fast Track to Finance Conference

Forté is excited to help you build your wheelhouse to navigate the professional world! The fall 2023 Forté College Fast Track to Finance is a great opportunity to explore the world of finance and gain skills to launch your first job or internship. Our undergraduate programs team has put together a list of information and resources to help you prepare for your upcoming leadership conference. 

DO YOUR RESEARCH- Who, What, When, and Where? 🔎

• Review the conference agenda 📄 so that you are familiar with the conference topics, companies, schools, and representatives that will be present.
• Check out what’s happening at CFTF 
• See our school and corporate sponsors
• Ensure you are familiar with the location and start time of the event (plan to arrive early). This can help when planning for departure time from the airport to give yourself plenty of time to find your way to the welcome session once you arrive! 🕓
• See location and start time  (make sure to use the 58th street entrance!)
• Write down your conference goals- what do you want to get out of the sessions? Write down some questions that you may want to ask a panelist.
• What did your career trajectory entail?

TRAVEL AND PLANNING 🧳

• Plan travel as early as possible and be sure that you have a solid plan for getting to and from the conference
• Be sure to travel with identification as you will need it for airfare travel and at the conference
• Review the travel stipend process
• Check out how you can get travel funds ✈️

CREATING AN ACTION PLAN FOR MISSED CLASSES AND ASSIGNMENTS ✍️

• Make sure to communicate with your professor early about your absence 🎒
• Work ahead or make sure you have developed a plan to complete the work

NETWORKING 

• Think about your why, or your elevator pitch. What makes you unique and how might you use that to create a brief introduction when networking with someone at the conference? 💭
• Check out this video on developing your why/elevator pitch–link
• Taking notes during their presentation can help with asking effective and thoughtful questions
• Some things to consider as you are listening: what takeaways do you have? How did this session increase your awareness or knowledge of the topic area? What are some things you will implement moving forward based on the information given?
• If you have student business cards that you’ve made, bring them! They can be a great way to leave a lasting impression
• What is a student business card? 📇
• Helpful tips for alleviating anxiety around networking
• Take a deep breath and count to 3
• Know that they have been in your shoes before
• Be yourself and know that it’s ok to be nervous!

RESUME

• Make sure your resume is up-to-date before uploading it to our job center. Include all leadership, extracurricular activities, internships, employment, and other pertinent information.
• Meet with a career counselor at your school’s career center for review before submission!
• It is certainly not required but never a bad idea to bring a hard copy- most career centers can help you with this for no charge

CONFERENCE ATTIRE 👚

• Dress for success–you might have the opportunity to interact and engage with a future employer
• Business casual attire is usually recommended and you might be asking, well what is business casual attire? Business casual can mean different things to different people, and we certainly want you to feel like your best self as you mix and mingle with your peers, schools, and company representatives.
• Some common business casual clothing items include:

• • • • Slacks or skirts that resemble those from a suit
      • Neatly pressed khakis or corduroys
      • Blazer
      • Cardigan or v-neck sweater
      • Loafers, oxfords, low-heeled shoes or boots

• Wear clothing that is comfortable as you will be moving around throughout the day
• Check the weather so that you are prepared and are not caught off guard ☁️
• Pack multiple options, just in case something happens and you need to pivot 🧳
• Nonprofits and other resources if you are in need of attire for the conference
• Dress for success
• Career Closets

Now that you’re prepared, register today for the 2023 College Fast Track to Finance Conference, being held in New York on Sept. 29.