A group of Providence Day students are educating themselves on the basics of investing and turning to alumni for a few lessons.

The Investment Management Society, a club established in 2016, helps students learn different aspects of the financial world, Reagan Wright, a junior, says. Depending on the day, members discuss anything from the basics of the market to current events. They’re also gearing up to field teams in different investment competitions around the country, like the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition.

“We want our members - students interested in finance, entrepreneurship, and business - to gain exposure to the different fields within finance to help students narrow down their job interests going into college,” Reagan says, “putting them ahead of their peers in college.”

The club recently hosted Brook Miller, who graduated in 2006, to speak to students about his experience and pathway from Providence Day to college to career. Miller is the executive director of Fifth Third Bank.

“Having speakers like Mr. Miller is very important because it gives an insight into the industry many of us want to work in or at least find interesting,” Junior Caleb Joel says. “There is only so much we, as leaders of the club, can do for our members. Bringing in speakers allows us to share even more knowledge with our members.”

Senior Evan France says bringing in alumni allows students to reflect on their Providence Day education and its impact.

“Most alumni speakers reflect on how Providence Day made university substantially easier, which helped with internship and job opportunities,” Evan says.

Miller, who attended the University of Virginia, told students about his career path and personal background, the job of corporate and investment bankers, and gave them tips on where to start if they’re interested in banking, finance, or economics.

“Exposure to people and their experiences at any age can be valuable,” Miller says. “The students in attendance may not feel compelled to pursue a career in banking aggressively; however, they may have found some of my experiences, perspectives, or thought processes sparked an interest, created a shift in thought patterns, or simply challenged them to dig deeper in the direction of their interests.”