COURSE NUMBER:  MBA 294.5

COURSE TITLE:  Investment Management Speakers Series

UNITS OF CREDIT:  1

INSTRUCTOR:  Sam Olesky

STUDENT ORGANIZERS: Nick Gallus

E-MAIL ADDRESSES: nick_gallus@mba.berkeley.edu

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME:  Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 PM during Fall B

This class will meet on 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, and 11/27

PREREQUISITE(S):  None

CLASS FORMAT: The class will involve a mixture of guest speakers (portfolio managers, analysts and other investment industry professionals, many with ties to Haas) presenting their investment styles and strategies, along with guidance, coaching and opportunity to practice investment idea pitches in an open, supportive forum.

REQUIRED READINGS: Depending on the student’s interest level, investment pitches will require some research and preparation. Some speakers may require preparing case studies of current companies in order to facilitate class discussion and debate.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Participation and attendance in weekly discussions. Students must attend at least five of six class sessions in order to earn credit for the course.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

The goal of the course is to increase students’ exposure to various investment styles and strategies, as well as gain valuable practice giving investment idea pitches that are the lifeblood of the investment management industry. Speakers with a variety of investment styles and from different sub-segments of the asset management industry interact with students in lectures and case study workshops to dissect the challenges and issues investors face. Speakers will represent a wide variety of practitioners, from portfolio managers of major mutual fund companies to recent MBA alumni working as investment analysts. Time for speakers will be shared with time for students to receive guidance and coaching regarding best practices for pitching investment ideas that will be valuable in interviews for investment management jobs and in the course of working for an investment management firm.