Quantitative Finance Graduate Student Heads To New York

By Lindsay Anderson

After graduating this May with a master’s degree in quantitative finance, Anna Galstyan will head to New York City to begin work for professional services firm Ernst and Young (EY).

Galstyan felt the finance program, as well as relationships with faculty, paved the pathway to success.

“The program was a good combination of math, statistics and finance,” Galstyan said. “It included very interesting and important subjects that even in more popular universities are hard to find. Dr. (Philip) Horvath was very helpful and very knowledgeable, and I’m glad I didn’t miss my chance to work with such a professor.”

"Anna has been a joy,” Horvath said. “She is quick to grasp not only the formalities of models and finance in general, but also the qualitative, intuitive, aspects which enable her to place a proper context and interpretation to her modeling and analysis efforts.  She has a well-developed skill at discriminating what is likely appropriate from that which is otherwise.  She will succeed in whatever she sets herself to do."

Galstyan also worked extensively with Dr. Patty Hatfield.

“I feel that I need to especially thank Dr. Hatfield, too,” Galstyan continued. “Dr. Hatfield did so many good things for me. I didn't have classes with her, but she was always trying to help me find something new to work on that was both interesting and beneficial for me.”

“Anna is among the brightest of any graduate assistant I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” Hatfield said. “Her work ethic is hands down the best.  If I asked her to do something and she wasn't sure how to do it, she would study on her own and figure it out and the outcome was always perfect and beyond what you asked her to do.”

“Beyond her extreme intelligence and work ethic,” Hatfield continued, “is that Anna is one of the kindest and most considerate person you can ever know. She served as a finance tutor for the EMBA's, and they all respected her knowledge and her willingness to help. I received repeated comments on her patience, and her sweet disposition. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that she will advance quickly through the ranks at EY. She will be a valuable asset to any organization.”

In addition to student and faculty interaction, Galstyan gained hands-on experience through her internship with Chapin Davis Investments.

Although the interview process was long and technical, Galstyan said it was an amazing experience and looks forward to beginning her job that is located in Times Square.