Class Meeting Activities. The Internship class will use a lecture/discussion format, supplemented by guest speakers as the major method of teaching in this class. This requires all of us to come to class prepared to discuss, request clarification, and answer questions of the assigned reading materials.  Laptops are required, as we will discuss specific items, and then you will download the data and do the analysis. My role will be to help you to understand, to expand upon, and put in perspective the assigned readings and class topics. I have found that students generally get out of this experience what they put into it. This approach requires a maturity and commitment on your part to regularly study your assignments and be prepared for discussion. You are responsible for everything done in class, as well as for all study assignments. If you miss a meeting, it is your responsibility to find out from a class member what material you missed and any changes in the schedule. This class will be aided by students from the Asset Management class as teaching assistants and mentors.

 

Research Projects. You will perform a company research project which will entail research, analysis, valuation, and reporting on an industry and the valuation of a company from that industry. My goal is to give you the tools and framework so at the end of the semester you will know where to get company and industry information, how to analyze it, and how to make good investment decisions. This company report will be of such quality that GFA can use the information to make relevant and timely investment decisions. I want the quality to be such that you will want to show it future employers as an example of your best analytical work.

 

Mentors. You will be assigned a mentor who has taken this class previously and who is a member of the M415R: Asset Management team. I encourage you to spend time with your mentor when you have questions and problems. Mentors have been instructed to answer your questions only after you have read the required readings and teaching tools. Be prepared and do not waste their time.

 

Presentations.  It is not sufficient to be able to analyze companies--you also must be able to present that analysis and answer questions fielded by other investment professionals, colleagues, or shareholders to support your investment decisions. You will analyze a company that has been chosen by GFA or the Portfolio Management class. You will evaluate the industry, discuss key financial, economic, industry, and country factors, make a decision as to the investment suitability of that company, and then make a professional presentation of that company and your investment recommendations to the portfolio managers as noted on the class schedule.

 

Portfolio Management Presentations. You are invited and encouraged to attend the Portfolio Management presentations on Mondays at 2:00 p.m. in room 220 TNRB to see how others present on their companies. Please note that you are a guest during these presentations and should observe only. There is the possibility that you may be asked to present your company to the Portfolio Management team. 

 

Computers/Spreadsheets. Laptops and familiarity with major word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software is a given for all investment professionals. All reports, presentations, spreadsheets, and graphics must be done using commercially available computer programs and software. Please note that we will be keeping both a hard and electronic copy of all company reports in a research book for posterity.