Networking and Classroom Lessons Lead SDSU Finance Major to Her Dream Job

Almost every college student hopes to land that ideal job offer before they graduate.

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And that is exactly what Emme Engel has done. 

Engel will be starting a position as an investment banking analyst at Piper Sandler’s home office in Minneapolis shortly after she earns her finance degree from SDSU’s Fowler College of Business in the spring of 2025. 

Engel, who grew up in the Sacramento area, said she chose to attend SDSU after researching the university’s “academics, culture, opportunities, and success stories.” 

“Ultimately, I trusted my instincts to attend SDSU and have never looked back,” she said. 

As an SDSU business student, Engel joined the Finance and Investment Society, was elected to the Fowler College of Business Council as the VP of external relations, and participated in the CFA Institute Research Challenge where her team won the regional finals. Those experiences, plus her work in the classroom put her on track for a career in the field of finance. 

To learn more about the industry, Engel became involved with University Growth Fund, a student-driven venture capital fund where she held an internship as an analyst. This experience inspired her to learn more, so she reached out to investment banking analysts at Piper Sandler for information.  

“I’d identified Piper Sandler as one of my dream firms,” said Engel, who worked as a summer intern for the company in 2024. 

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Her classroom lessons, extracurricular activities, tenacity and work as an intern earned her that coveted post-graduation job offer with the company shortly before she returned to San Diego to begin her senior year at SDSU. 

Engel credits her work ethic, tenacity and the lessons learned at SDSU for helping her achieve her early career objectives, but she says developing a network was the key part of that process.

“My professors taught me critical finance skills throughout my major courses,” said Engel. “However, my most significant and memorable experiences at SDSU have been building lasting friendships that translate into a strong support system. Professionally and privately, loyal and dependable relationships are crucial to my success.”