Ishaan Doshi: SCIF Experience

When I first heard about the Santa Clara Investment Fund (SCIF), I knew it was the type of organization I wanted to be a part of. Since I am passionate about finance, I was looking for like-minded, driven people who share my interest in markets, investing, and professional growth. SCIF stood out as the only club on campus where students invest real money, make stock pitches, and gain hands-on experience benefitting us in our future careers. Beyond the technical experience, what really stood out to me was the mentorship and the opportunity to learn from members who had already landed impressive internships at top firms.

Getting into SCIF wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I was placed in a cohort of 15 other Junior Analysts, all equally motivated and passionate. From day one, I realized that this wasn’t just another club, but instead a tight-knit community of students willing to help each other succeed. As a Junior Analyst, we were placed in a 10-week education program covering equity research, valuation techniques, and financial modeling fundamentals. We also learned lots of soft skills, such as how to properly network and build meaningful professional relationships, something that often isn’t emphasized enough in traditional classes. We were also required to have coffee chats with senior people in the fund, which helped me get to know them better as well as understand how to break into the world of finance from those who have already broken into the industry. 

At the end of the program, we had to take a final exam and give a stock pitch, which were great experiences that we would have to do in traditional finance roles. Preparing for and delivering a stock pitch has been one of the most practical learning experiences I’ve had, especially since these are important skills for internships and job interviews. The process of researching a company, constructing a thesis, and defending an investment decision in front of experienced members has helped me grow.

Looking back, joining SCIF has been one of the best decisions I’ve made at Santa Clara. I’ve gained lots of technical finance skills, soft skills, and real-world investing experience. More importantly, I’ve met an incredible group of people who support each other’s goals and push one another to succeed. From preparing for interviews, talking about market trends, or just hanging out with people within the fund, SCIF has provided me with mentorship, friendships, and opportunities that you wouldn’t get in the classroom. For anyone interested in finance, SCIF is more than just an investment club, it’s a great start for your career.