TAMPA - As a teen fascinated by stock trading and building financial models, University of South Florida junior Lan Phan is realizing every global finance-loving kid’s dream: interning at Goldman Sachs in the heart of the world’s financial district.
Phan is spending the summer working with the multi asset solutions team as a summer analyst in the asset and wealth management division.
Lan Phan
“It has always been my dream to work for Goldman Sach’s in New York,” said Phan. “I will give it everything I have this summer in hopes of securing an offer to return in a full-time position.”
This internship is his second internship and the latest of his academic accomplishments. In his three years at the Muma College of Business, Phan has created a reputation for academic success and professional networking. In fact, his dedication to student involvement began even before his first day of class.
Phan credits most of his decision to become a USF Muma College of Business student to the Business Honors Program, which offered him a scholarship he couldn’t refuse.
“My interest in finance sparked back in high school, said Phan. “That is when I learned about stock trading and knew that I wanted to pursue that career.”
After accepting his offer at USF, Phan began to prepare himself for success, connecting with Business Honors advisors before his classes even began.
Understanding that Phan wanted to pursue a career in finance, advisors recommended that he explore student organizations that would help him along his educational path. Specifically, they recommended the Investment Club.
Phan socializing at an Investment Club event.
Before the start of his first college semester, Phan applied to the Investment Club and worked as a marketing analyst. He quickly transitioned to serve as a portfolio manager, and later was promoted to be the head of asset management.
Phan began his freshman year in fall of 2021. He is double majoring in finance and econometrics.
“My freshman year I was living at the Judy Genshaft Honors College living learning community”, said Phan. “Most of my first friends that I met were business honors students and having curated this group of friends was instrumental in getting comfortable and settled into college.”
Phan also credits the Investment Club for his professional and academic growth.
USF’s Investment Club is the largest student organization on campus and the largest student-run finance organization in the southeastern United States with over 2,200 members across all majors and class years.
As a member of the Investment Club, students can connect with business professionals in the finance field through real-world experiences.
One of the club’s main goals is to provide its members with an internship-like experience by supplementing them with hands-on involvement through case studies, teamwork, underwriting of publicly traded stocks, and investing in stocks.
“We call it the internship before the internship,” said Phan. “All of those experiences provide our members with a toolbox of knowledge and experience that they can use when they get their first internship.”
Phan completed his first internship in the summer of 2022 as a summer finance intern for private equity firm, Star Mountain Capital, at their Tampa office.
Another instrumental piece of Phan’s college career is his involvement in the Real Estate Society and the advice and guidance he has received from its director and professor of instruction, Greg Smersh. He credits Smersh as being a valuable mentor and information source.
Greg Smersh
“Lan is an outstanding student and a true asset to the Real Estate Society, helping to raise the awareness of the many great career opportunities in professional real estate and increase the membership of this student organization,” said Smersh. “I have no doubt that he will be highly successful in whatever career path he chooses.”
Phan feels his involvement in student organizations is what allowed him to make connections that have been instrumental to his success in securing internships. Phan received both of his internships through referrals from the Investment Club.
After his internship, Phan will return to campus in fall 2024 as a fellow at the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship for his senior year. He will also serve as co-chair of the Investment Club.
On campus, Phan is all business. However, beyond the classroom he casts a vibrant net of hobbies and collections. From his affinity for custom-tailored suits from Bespoke, a passion for collecting Hot Wheels, and a joy for reading books on leadership, Phan has a diverse array of interests outside of his professional goals.
Phan is set to graduate in spring 2025. His goal is to have a job waiting for him at Goldman Sachs upon his graduation.