SDSU Student Business Organization Spotlight: Aztec Trading & Investing Group
Jake Lundstrom, Founder and President of the Aztec Trading & Investing Group
The Fowler College of Business’ student organizations have continued to operate effectively, host professional events, and engage with the community through virtual platforms, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. During San Diego State University’s Fall 2020 semester, the Aztec Trading & Investing Group (ATI) was established and hosted virtual seminars where members had the opportunity to learn from distinguished guest speakers about investing in the stock market. Jake Lundstrom (Junior, Marketing) Founder and President of ATI, describes how he successfully founded the organization in a fully-virtual environment, shares why students should join, and how ATI has impacted his leadership experience. Lundstrom also describes his career interests while offering advice to current SDSU students.
About Aztec Trading & Investing Group (ATI):
Q: What events, gatherings, and activities does your organization host?
The ATI Group hosts virtual seminars where members have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about investing in the stock market. We have had a couple amazing guest speakers attend our group meetings and share their knowledge, financial advice, and investment experience. From hedge fund owners to youtube personalities, we bring in a wide array of investors that are extremely well versed in their fields.
Q: What virtual events has your organization organized since the pandemic began?
In addition to having guest speakers come and host our events, we have provided some helpful content to familiarize our newer members with the basics of investing in the stock market. We have managed to really make the new virtual platform a lot more engaging by creating a community of traders and investors within SDSU.
ATI met with 23 year old options trader and hedge fund owner Cameron Morton at one of their meetings fall semester.
Q: How does ATI connect with the community outside of SDSU?
We are very active on our social media accounts, constantly posting and reposting helpful investment advice for as many people as possible. Also, we plan on partnering with a company to start an internship program through the ATI group that offers special opportunities to members. Given that it is our first year here at SDSU, we hope to continue growing and expanding outside of the SDSU community in the near future.
Q: Why should students join ATI?
Students should join ATI to not only learn about investing, but to also invest in themselves and their future. The stock market is full of opportunity and is just a stepping stone into the investment world, which can be very beneficial if you take the time to learn and understand it. Our lessons go far beyond the virtual platform, as we provide our group with lifelong financial knowledge that is rare to learn as a young adult. We emphasize “learning before earning,” which stresses the importance of properly educating yourself before investing your money.
Q: How can a student get involved with ATI?
We are sending out our spring membership application very soon and post all news and updates on our instagram, @atigroupsdsu. We also have executive board positions opening up for existing members. Feel free to send us an email with any questions to [email protected] or direct message us on social media.
Q & A with the Aztec Trading & Investing Group Founder and President, Jake Lundstrom
Name: Jake Lundstrom
Major: Integrated Marketing Communications
Q: As a student leader involved with an organization at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far?
Over quarantine, I really began taking the time to expand my knowledge of the stock market and saw the enormous potential it had for students my age. I wanted to somehow get involved with an investment organization on campus, but couldn’t find one that had an emphasis on the stock market, specifically trading and investing. I finally decided to start my own student organization with the hope that I could provide the tools and resources for people wanting to learn and a community for them to trade and invest together. With the help of some close friends and the support of the ATI members, the experience has been great and very rewarding.
Q: What experience with your organization has been the most impactful?
For our last group meeting of the semester this past fall, we were fortunate enough to have one of the youngest stock market millionaires, Ricky Gutierrez, come speak with ATI. Most of our members were already familiar with Ricky from his tremendous following on youtube, so it was really exciting to feature such a renowned internet personality. He was able to talk one on one with our group members and provide thoughtful answers to every question.
Q: What has been your favorite SDSU memory so far?
ATI meeting with Ricky Gutierrez, one of the youngest stock trading millionaires in Arizona.
There are too many to narrow it down to just one, but I think being able to have the true SDSU freshman experience was one of my all time favorite memories. I came from a very small high school with about 40 kids in my graduating class, so having the chance to go to sporting events, live in the dorms, and meet so many new people at such an awesome campus was a great experience.
Q: If you could go back to your freshman year, what advice would you give yourself?
I would go back and tell myself to prioritize school over everything else! As a freshman, it's so easy to get caught up in the social aspects and crumble under the weight of coursework if you slack off. It took me a semester or two to figure it out, but I wish I prepared myself better before coming to college.
Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
The best advice I have received during my tenure here at SDSU is to not be afraid to make your mark and to not care what others think. Sometimes, the opinions of others affect us in negative ways and limit our growth and potential. I think once you can come to that realization, the more positive results you will see.
Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
I always find it hard to say that I want to do one specific thing for the rest of my life, and am still struggling to narrow down what I am the most interested in. One thing for sure, I plan on having multiple streams of income. That is precisely why I got into investing in the first place, so I could hopefully make some money in the stock market and transition to other forms of investing, such as real estate.
Q: Cats or Dogs? Dogs!
Q: Instagram or TikTok? I wish I spent less time on Tik Tok
Q: Morning or Night? Market opens at 6:30 am so I am forced to be a morning person
Q: Shopping - In store or online? Online
Q: Panchos or Trujillos? Panchos all day, Trujillos has lost its shine
Q: Favorite show to binge watch? Unsolved Mysteries
Q: Hidden Talent? Sadly, juggling
