Teddy Freedman Q&A: ‘Meet and stay in touch with classmates’

Part of a series of Q&As with Olin alumni. Today we hear from Teddy Freedman, BSBA 2017.

What are you doing for work now, and how did your Olin education impact your career? 

I am working in investment banking at Guggenheim Partners in NYC. Some of the courses I took at Olin were fundamental in helping me develop a strong foundation in finance. Given the technical nature of investment banking interviews, having relevant coursework was incredibly helpful.

Also, relative to some of my peers on Wall Street, it is evident that our education at Olin did a fantastic job preparing us for work in the real world as our coursework translates well into what I do on a day-to-day basis.

What Olin course, “defining moment” or faculty influenced your life most, and why? 

I was fortunate to have Steven Malter as my academic adviser given his proximity to what was going on with Olin as the dean of the business school. He showed a genuine interest in keeping up with what I was involved in on campus and my thoughts on the various programs and events at Olin. It was great to know that someone making decisions on behalf of the business program was actually listening to feedback from students.

How do you stay engaged with Olin or your Olin classmates and friends?

Having a strong network of friends and colleagues from Olin is a fantastic way to stay plugged in with what is happening in the markets and across industries. 

Almost anywhere you travel in the country or world you can find an Olin alum doing something interesting. Making sure to grab a drink or catch up with your peers when you travel is a great way to stay engaged.  

Teddy Freedman

Why is business education important?

Regardless of what industry you work in, understanding why businesses make the decisions they do is educational. Asking why a new product or service exists and how it is different from existing offerings provides insight into what business leaders are focused on in the markets. Understanding these business decisions can help you stay in front of trends that may be relevant to your work product. 

Looking back, what advice would you give current Olin students? 

Meet and stay in touch with as many of your classmates as you can. In a few years, when everyone graduates and takes prestigious jobs around the world, that network will become very valuable.