Finance Students Network on Wall Street

"Bridgepoint U" Trip Enables Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska to Build Career-Boosting Connections

Twelve finance majors traveled to New York City prior to the spring semester to network with industry leaders from 13 of the world's most respected investment banks and asset management firms. The opportunity was made possible by Matt and Natasha Plooster of Bridgepoint Investment Banking.

Twelve members of the Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska (WSSN), a student organization at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, traveled to New York City to meet and network with investment bankers and investment professionals. The experience provided them with firsthand exposure to the financial industry’s most competitive firms, thanks to the support of Matt and Natasha Plooster and Bridgepoint Investment Banking.

The trip, dubbed “Bridgepoint U,” gave WSSN members an opportunity to connect directly with industry leaders. They met with analysts to partners at 13 firms: Adams Street, Blackstone, Deutsche Bank, Digital Bridge, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim, Lincoln International, Mizuho / Greenhill, Moelis, Morgan Stanley, Oppenheimer, Perella Weinberg Partners and Piper Sandler.

Christian Thomas, WSSN president and an accounting and finance major from Omaha, Nebraska, said face-to-face interactions are invaluable in the highly competitive fields of investment banking and asset management.

“A lot of the top target schools—primarily Ivy League institutions—have these firms come to their campuses, which isn’t something we have access to in Nebraska,” Thomas said. “By traveling to New York, we not only demonstrated our commitment to these careers, but we also got our names and resumes in front of recruiters who may not have otherwise considered us.”

Kyler Evans, a finance and economics major and WSSN vice president from Elkhorn, Nebraska, emphasized how the trip accelerated their career opportunities.

“Investment banking recruiting happens at an incredible pace,” Evans said. “As a sophomore, I'm looking for internships that take place during the summer after my junior year. I had interviews lined up while we were in New York and even had to change my flight to Houston for a final round interview. This trip was a major differentiator.”

Bridgepoint Investment Banking, founded by Matt and Natasha Plooster, played a critical role in making the trip possible. A Nebraska native and CEO of Bridgepoint, Matt understands the barriers Midwest students face in breaking into Wall Street. He worked 10 years on Wall Street for Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank before returning to Nebraska to co-found Bridgepoint.

“When I was a student, these opportunities didn’t exist,” Matt said. “But Nebraska students are just as smart, talented, hardworking and capable as those from top schools. Nebraska's finance students always stand out to me with unparalleled work ethic and tenacity. They are hungry, determined, mature and work incredibly hard. I tell everyone they would be wise to hire more Cornhuskers.”

WSSN members debriefed about their experience with Matt Plooster (front row center) of Bridgepoint, who sponsored their trip to New York City.

Matt added that more than 20 Nebraska students interned at Bridgepoint throughout the years.

“Nearly all of them have gone on to careers at Bridgepoint or other major investment banks or private equity firms. This is one of the impacts Bridgepoint has had that I am most proud of,” he said.

Thomas, an intern at Bridgepoint, and Joe Boulay, '24, a recent alum working there, talked with Matt about how much of an opportunity this trip would be for current students. Not only did Bridgepoint financially back the trip, but they also helped students prepare to make the most out of it.

“We thought it would be incredibly impactful to get these students to some of the leading financial firms in the world and help them build relationships that could lead to real career opportunities. It was a great team effort as other members of the Department of Finance Advisory Board at the College of Business joined in lining up the firm visits and making introductions.”

Thomas shared they hope to make Bridgepoint U trips a recurring opportunity for their members. Students interested in joining Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska can attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. in Hawks Hall, room 219.

“We are looking forward to continuing this new tradition and providing Huskers with the opportunity to compete for the most competitive positions across finance for years to come,” Thomas said. “We’re incredibly grateful to Bridgepoint and the alumni who made this happen. Thanks to their support, this is only the beginning.”

Following is a full list of students who participated in the Bridgepoint U trip, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school and academic major(s) or program.

NEBRASKA

Beaver Lake: Jack Welch, sophomore finance

Doniphan: Abreham Stutzman, sophomore finance

Elkhorn: Kyler Evans, sophomore finance and economics; Alec Franksmann, sophomore finance

Fremont: Cooper Taylor, junior finance and accounting

Lincoln: Will Blatchford, sophomore finance and economics

Omaha: Jude Dunwoody, sophomore finance and accounting; Noah Nordstrom, sophomore finance and accounting; Christian Thomas, junior finance and accounting; Jack Thiele, sophomore finance and accounting