# Business
**Source**: https://careeradvancement.uchicago.edu/careers-in/business/
**Parent**: https://careeradvancement.uchicago.edu/
## Business
UChicago is a premier destination for business. Our alumni are working at leading firms, studying at top MBA programs, and starting their own businesses. The Careers in Business program prepares students for success with specialized training, hands-on experience, and employer connections.
**Get Started**[\
Careers in Business Newsletter Signup](https://uchicago.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=76a5633a008ffdc2081d6edef&id=6d44e45c87)\
[Business Industry Guide](/business-industry-guide.pdf)\
[Finance Career Pathways](/finance-career-pathways.pdf)
## Get Expert Support
Careers in Business advisers have experience in consulting, finance, private equity, quant, venture capital, and more. with one of our advisers through UChicago Handshake.
## Build Your Expertise: Specialized Programs
- ## Trott Business Program
\
The [Trott Business Program](/careers-in/business/applying-to-selective-business-programs/), a three-year initiative, equips students for business leadership in diverse sectors. It offers individualized advice from industry specialists, weekly development workshops, and classes at Chicago Booth. Graduates who meet all requirements—attending workshops, passing Financial Accounting and another Booth course with a letter grade, and maintaining a 3.0 GPA—earn a special transcript designation. The program boasts near-perfect full-time job placement rates annually.
- ## Financial Markets Program
The [Financial Markets Program](/careers-in/business/applying-to-selective-business-programs/) is a selective admission program that supports students interested in quantitative finance careers. Participants complete a three-year curriculum that includes technical trainings, internship and recruiting support, and hands-on experiential learning opportunities such as the annual UChicago Trading Competition. Participants completing program requirements receive a transcript designation at graduation.
- ## Restructuring Finance Program
The [Restructuring Finance Program](/careers-in/business/restructuring-finance-program/) is a selective, two-year-long pre-professional program designed to prepare undergraduates for a career in restructuring investment banking. The restructuring specialty in investment banking is critical to support distressed companies in today’s economy, and this program will provide students with the experience and interdisciplinary skillset they need to secure roles in this rapidly growing area of finance.
- ## AI in Finance Program
The [AI in Finance Program](/careers-in/business/ai-in-finance-program/) is a selective, one-year program designed to prepare students for next-generation careers in finance by leveraging artificial intelligence. Cohort members will receive training in trading/finance and AI, connect with industry professionals through networking events, and create their own project portfolios in GitHub to help showcase their skills to employers.
- ## Digital Assets Program
The [Digital Assets Program](/careers-in/business/digital-assets-program/) is a one-year program designed to equip students with the technical, analytical, and professional skills to lead in the digital assets (i.e., cryptocurrency, blockchain, and AI) space through workshops, competitions, mentorship, and employer engagement.
- ## Rogers Scholars Program
The [Rogers Scholars Program in Finance](/careers-in/business/rogers-scholars-program-in-finance/) provides career resources and funded internship opportunities for students in leading endowment and non-profit investment offices. The program is open to all students.
- ## Succeeding in the Entrepreneurial Workplace
The [Succeeding in the Entrepreneurial Workplace Program](/student-opportunities/post-grad-opportunities/succeeding-in-the-entrepreneurial-workplace/) is a one-year, hands-on skill-building experience designed to prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurial environments and fast-paced teams through workshops and projects with startup employers. Participants will develop an entrepreneurial mindset, collaboration abilities, and technical skills essential for success in dynamic organizations.
- ## Business
The Business cohort empowers first-year students to explore the dynamic world of business, from finance and consulting to entrepreneurship, marketing, and more.
**Sample Programs**
Recruiting Readiness: Building a World-Class Business Resume\
Excelling in the Interview: Business Behavioral and Technical Preparation\
Building Technical Skills: Excel Best Practices and Data Analysis\
Making an Impact: Leadership Development for Business and Finance\
Building Business Acumen: Exploring Business Career Pathways
**Sample Employers**
Accenture\
Amazon Bain & Company Boston Consulting Group\
Capital One\
Evercore \
Goldman Sachs\
Google \
JPMorgan Chase \
McKinsey & Company \
Morgan Stanley \
PwC\
UBS\
Walmart
**Questions?**
Please contact Jackson Lehmar at [jlehmar@uchicago.edu](mailto:jlehmar@uchicago.edu)
- ## Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship cohort creates a platform for first-year students to engage with founders and the startup community to learn more about the ideation process, raising capital, and building a company.
**Sample Programs**
Journey to Entrepreneurship Panel\
Startup Fundraising Process \
Storytelling: How to Pitch your Startup\
Working in a Startup Panel\
How to Secure a Startup Internship Workshop
**Sample Employers**
CareLumi\
Blockalicious \
KindEd\
SkinIO\
Techstars\
Sifty\
Three Pillars\
TipTop Technologies
**Questions?**
Please contact Derek Scalf at [dscalf@uchicago.edu](mailto:dscalf@uchicago.edu)
- ## Additional Industries
to view a full list of all First Year Career Cohort programs!
- ## Consulting
- **Dates: September 22-24**
- **Location: Chicago, IL**
- **Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029**
- [**Register Here - Limited Spots**](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/10687683/share_preview)
Apply for an exciting opportunity with Career Advancement in Chicago for a three‑day Consulting Recruiting Intensive designed to prepare students for careers across strategy, management, and business consulting. Days one and two will focus on core consulting skill‑building—including problem‑solving frameworks, case interview techniques, and client communication through a live case —while day three will feature case presentations to industry professionals.
Students are expected to arrive in Chicago on September 21.
- ## Finance and Investment Banking
- **Date: September 25**
- **Location: Chicago, IL**
- **Open to All Students (Recommended for 2nd Years and New Transfer Students)**
- [**Register Here - Limited Spots**](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/10687730/share_preview)
This workshop will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the finance recruiting process including timelines and best practices for success including interviewing and networking.
This program is funded by a generous gift from Mei Gao (P'28, P'30) and Tony Tang (MBA'00, P'28, P'30).
- ## Private Markets
- **Dates: September 20-25**
- **Location: Chicago, IL**
- **Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029**
- [**Apply Here**](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/10731068/share_preview)
The [UChicago Private Markets Program](/student-opportunities/week-long-programs/uchicago-private-markets-program/) is a one-week immersive academic and career-oriented program to educate students in the Private Markets through theory, cases, and modeling workshops, and position them to pursue professional opportunities in private equity, private credit, family capital and private markets investing, and investment banking.
- ## Venture Capital
- **Dates: September 22-25**
- **Location: Chicago, IL**
- **Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029**
- [**Apply Here**](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/events/1893057/share_preview)
This program will serve as an introduction to venture capital investing and the start-up funding lifecycle, from angel investing to IPO. Students will explore how venture capital firms source, evaluate, and structure investments. Offerings include:
- Skill-Building Workshops
- Case Studies
- Practical Application at a VC Firm
- Career Insights
## Gain Experience
### Internships
UChicago's [**Jeff Metcalf Internship Program**](/student-opportunities/month-long-programs/jeff-metcalf-internship-program/) provides 4,500 paid substantive internships to students each year across a variety of career fields. Careers in Business works closely with employers in consulting, finance, branding and marketing, and across the corporate landscape to offer Metcalf internships for students.
Find a great internship:
- [First-Year Opportunities](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/stu/collections/31544)
- [Sophomore Business Internships](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/stu/collections/31893)
- [All Metcalf Internships](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/stu/collections/15477)
### Career Competitions
Show your skills to employers with career competitions! Students team up to design a solution to a business challenge. Through these competitions, students build teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills.
- ## Fall | Rural Innovation Challenge
The Rural Innovation Challenge provides students the opportunity to come up with a venture, innovation, or solution targeted at rural communities with the goal of benefitting the community. These benefits could include improving quality of life, strengthening the local economy through job and/or business creation, or attracting more people to the community. Students at all levels of experience are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this valuable learning experience (as part of a team or request team assignment)!
The Rural Innovation Challenge is generously sponsored by Byron (AB'81, MBA'82, University Trustee) and Tina Trott.
- ## Fall | American Bankruptcy Institute Corporate Restructuring Competition
The prestigious ABI Corporate Restructuring Competition provides students from leading schools an opportunity to solve a hypothetical realistic business case of a distressed company before an audience of experts in the turnaround, crisis management, and restructuring industries. Judges this year include experts from Alvarez & Marsal, Guggenheim, Jefferies, B Riley, Hilco/Getzler, and more. Students participate in the competition in teams of 4, and prize money is awarded to winning teams by the ABI Endowment Fund. The top three teams receive prize money; 1st place receives $7,000, 2nd place receives $4,000 and 3rd place receives $3,000. On Thursday, November 13, there will be a cocktail party in NYC where students can meet many professionals in the restructuring industry and local members of the ABI. The competition is the entire day of Friday, November 14 in NYC.
- ## Fall | Fixed income Investment Competition
The Fixed Income Investment Competition offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the world of fixed income investing by developing a comprehensive investment recommendation. Teams of three to four students will conduct in-depth analyses and present a fixed income strategy, showcasing their proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Participants will also demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate complex financial concepts. This competition serves as an excellent platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, receive constructive feedback from industry professionals, and enhance their understanding of the fixed income sector. Students at all levels of experience are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this valuable learning experience (as part of a team or request team assignment)!
- ## Winter | College Venture Capital Investment Competition
Working in teams, students take the role of VCs and hear pitches from real startups. You will assess the investment opportunities and pitch an investment strategy to a panel of judges who are practicing venture capitalists. The winner of the UChicago College event will advance to the February regional event at Columbia University and compete for a chance to participate in the global final in April with a $5,000 prize! Co-hosted by Midway Ventures, this day-long competition is an incredible hands-on opportunity for students interested in VC!
- ## Winter | College New Venture Challenge
The CNVC is the dedicated track of the Polsky Center’s nationally ranked New Venture Challenge program. It supports UChicago students who are interested in launching a startup. Teams receive training to develop and pitch their business ideas during the Winter quarter. Startup investors and successful founders coach and evaluate each startup, and winners receive seed funding to support their venture. Students at all levels of experience are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this valuable learning experience!
- ## Winter | Sports Business Competition
The UChicago Sports Business Competition is your chance to step into the world of sports management, marketing, and analytics. This competition is designed for students who are eager to explore careers in the sports industry through real-world challenges, networking opportunities, and team-based problem-solving. Whether you're a business major, a sports enthusiast, or someone looking to break into a dynamic and competitive field, this event is for you. Students will collaborate with peers to propose a strategy to take U.S. sports international! Winners of the competition will have a chance to attend the **final round from March 16-17 in Sao Paolo, Brazil**. Students at all levels of experience are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this valuable learning experience (as part of a team or request team assignment)!
- ## Spring | Distressed Bond Investment Pitch Competition
The Distressed Bond Investment Pitch Competition gives students the opportunity to step directly into the world of credit investing by evaluating a single distressed bond and presenting a targeted investment recommendation to a panel of industry experts. Unlike full-company restructuring case competitions, this challenge is focused on security‑level analysis where participants will assess one bond’s positioning within the capital structure, evaluate downside protection, and articulate a concise thesis supported by valuation and recovery work. The first place team will win a cash prize of $500. This competition is open to members of the Restructuring Finance Program, but if you are especially interested in participating, please reach out to Fatima Chughtai at [fchughtai@uchicago.edu](mailto:fchughtai@uchicago.edu).
- ## Spring | UChicago Trading Competition
The [UChicago Trading Competition](https://tradingcompetition.uchicago.edu/) is the nation’s premier algorithmic trading competition. The competition features case studies designed to challenge participants in multiple aspects and themes of trading. Participants are asked to develop algorithms to make automated trading decisions, and will have their technical programming skills, financial acumen, and ability to adjust based on algorithm performance tested. The competition is supported by the leading companies in algorithmic trading.
- ## Spring | Digital Assets Trading Competition
The Digital Assets Trading Competition is a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience in the digital assets and crypto currency space. Participants will create a mock digital asset portfolio and run simulation activities focused on maximizing returns through cross-exchange arbitrage (capitalizing on price discrepancies for the same asset across different exchanges). Senior executives from Brevan Howard will join for lunch and networking with competitors.
Based on portfolio performance, the top three participants will receive cash prizes!
**1st place receives $2,500**
**2nd place receives $1,500**
**3rd place receives $500**
Interested students should register [here](https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/10596062/share_preview) by Friday, March 27.
- ## Spring | UChicago Stock Pitch Competition
The UChicago Stock Pitch Competition is an opportunity for you to explore public equities investing by constructing a detailed analysis of an investment recommendation. Teams of 3-4 UChicago undergraduate students will analyze and present a stock investment opportunity, demonstrating skills in research, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and ability to effectively communicate their findings. This is a great chance for students to gain practical finance experience and receive feedback from industry experts on their application of finance knowledge. Participants will benefit from preparation workshops, mentorship, and office-hour coaching resources. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to apply (as part of a team or request team assignment)!
## Meet Top Employers
### Career Treks
On Career Treks, students travel to cities around the world to meet top employers. UChicago sends treks to leading business and finance hubs such as New York, San Francisco, London, Milan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to network with leading firms such as Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Citadel Securities, and TPG.
[View upcoming trek destinations!](/student-opportunities/week-long-programs/treks/)
### Signature Networking Events
Top finance, consulting, and corporate employers come to campus every year to recruit UChicago talent. Mark your calendar for these networking events!
- ## Fall | Career Fair
Meet and network with leading employers across industries at UChicago's on **Monday, September 28, 2026**!
The fair is open to all undergraduates. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with employers looking for both full-time hires and academic year or summer interns.
- ## Fall | Night on Wall Street
At this UChicago-exclusive event, second-year students network with top firms including Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley. The event kicks off third year internship recruiting and helps students get ahead of the accelerated hiring process.
- ## Spring | Consulting Symposium
- **Date:** Friday, May 1, 2026
- **Location:** The Study
- **Open to:** current 2nd and 3rd year students
The Consulting Symposium kicks off the consulting recruiting season, and provides networking opportunities with leading management and economic consulting firms. The day includes an industry insights panel with senior consultants, networking, and group case simulations that are a critical step in the application process.
This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the consulting world, establish a network early, and experience the nuanced differences of what makes each firm and firm's culture unique. Whether you've already decided that you'll be recruiting for consulting or would like to learn more about the industry, apply to attend this event!
## Chicago Booth Programs
### MBA Programs, Master in Management Program, Master in Finance Program, and Chicago Booth Scholars Program
Chicago Booth offers a variety of business graduate degrees to meet students where they are in life and help them achieve their professional goals. .
Booth provides an [MBA degree](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.chicagobooth.edu/mba__;!!BpyFHLRN4TMTrA!6FNQSpAr2QovA0nXufxqFrFRmEQU645ohH0RfC5O38hM1KHF_oIgRZ_0gZapI1NuH8pwUm3LTX3pVX2KsYGw8Teg801cE0qtoNU$) in four formats, with each offering the same transformative experience. For those who are just starting their careers, or have not started one yet, Booth offers a [Master in Management Program](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.chicagobooth.edu/master-in-management__;!!BpyFHLRN4TMTrA!6FNQSpAr2QovA0nXufxqFrFRmEQU645ohH0RfC5O38hM1KHF_oIgRZ_0gZapI1NuH8pwUm3LTX3pVX2KsYGw8Teg801c0gPXz04$) and a [Master in Finance Program](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.chicagobooth.edu/master-in-finance__;!!BpyFHLRN4TMTrA!6FNQSpAr2QovA0nXufxqFrFRmEQU645ohH0RfC5O38hM1KHF_oIgRZ_0gZapI1NuH8pwUm3LTX3pVX2KsYGw8Teg801cbJlhYIQ$).
College students considering an MBA in the future are encouraged to apply for the [Chicago Booth Scholars Program](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.chicagobooth.edu/mba/early-career-programs/chicago-booth-scholars__;!!BpyFHLRN4TMTrA!6FNQSpAr2QovA0nXufxqFrFRmEQU645ohH0RfC5O38hM1KHF_oIgRZ_0gZapI1NuH8pwUm3LTX3pVX2KsYGw8Teg801c-MxMTVo$), which allows students to apply for MBA admission during their final year of undergraduate study and defer enrollment at Chicago Booth for two to four years while they gain professional experience.
## Questions?
Contact Nancy Schaller at [nschaller@uchicago.edu](mailto:nschaller@uchicago.edu).