AIM: Developing Young Professionals for Dynamic Careers in Finance 

Marquette’s College of Business Administration created the AIM major to be paired with a finance major and prepare a select group of high-achieving students for careers in the dynamic world of investment management. AIM is an experiential learning program, taught by seasoned faculty each with years of industry experience. Going beyond the typical classroom curriculum, AIM incorporates case studies and competitions, student management of a portion of Marquette’s endowment, summer internships, as well as engagement with alumni mentors and guest speakers. Admission is highly selective and based on academic performance, technical aptitude, and demonstrated interest.

AIM graduated its first class in 2006. Under founder and former director Dr. David Krause, Marquette became one of the first undergraduate programs in the country to build its coursework around the CFA Institute's Candidate Body of Knowledge, where Marquette remains a CFA Institute University Affiliate today. The program has over 450 alumni and has earned a 100% placement rate. Investment portfolios, managed by students, aggregate more than $6.0 million.

Today, AIM is housed in O'Brien Hall’s Baird AIM Laboratory, offering two concentrations. The CFA/Investments Concentration is designed for students principally seeing careers as security analysts, portfolio managers, and wealth advisors. The Investment Banking and Private Capital Concentration was built for those seeking roles in investment banking, private capital, and other corporate finance activities.

Where AIM Graduates Go Upon Graduation

The Maquette alumni network, AIM advisory board, faculty, and favorable past employer experiences have fostered strong placement capability. Graduates have begun their careers at leading financial institutions, both domestically and internationally, including:

Baird · William Blair · BMO · CIBC · Northwestern Mutual · Goldman Sachs · Harris Williams J.P. Morgan · Morgan Stanley · Citi · Bank of America · RBC · BlackRock · Société Générale · Fidelity · Lazard · Houlihan Lokey · Jefferies · Piper Sandler · Barclays · Artisan Partners · BNP Paribas · and more!

The AIM ecosystem network creates a strong advantage for students entering the job market.

For Students and Families

Entry to AIM is selective, competitive, and requires a separate application. Students apply early in the fall of their sophomore year. Both concentrations require a primary finance major and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Every student completes at least one internship during their AIM tenure and ten hours of community service each semester.

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For Employers and Alumni

AIM combines rigorous academic theory, advanced technical training, experiential learning, ethical leadership development and career preparation to create a premier talent pipeline. Consistent with Marquette’s institutional identity, the AOM program further emphasizes ethical financial decision-making, fiduciary responsibility, stakeholder awareness, responsible capital allocation, and long-term value creation.

AIM partners with firms across the country on internships, full-time hiring, classroom instruction, case competitions, and student trips. Alumni stay connected through the AIM alumni network, advisory board service, and mentorship.

To recruit AIM students, host a student visit, or reconnect with the program, contact Prachi Patel, Director of AIM.