The Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) in the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology is a combined class and organization experience for students. Students manage Foundation for IUP assets of more than 1.5 million dollars in US equities. SMIP provides an opportunity for students to improve their skills sets in the areas of financial services or a multitude of business fields.
Students not only have the opportunity to gain leadership experience, but they will also be exposed to compliance, networking, and multiple forms of financial analysis.The organization works to mimic the S&P 500 as well as outperform it. This organization and class are run by students in leadership positions, but also obtain the support of the organization's advisors and Finance faculty members, Daniel Lawson and Lua Augustin.
Through the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, students can work in the Bloomberg Lab and gain its free certification. The Bloomberg Lab has a dozen Bloomberg terminals for students to use. The Bloomberg software is an industry-grade, comprehensive data-monitoring and analytical tool used to study real-time movements in global markets. This software is great for the students of SMIP to help with financial analysis of the markets, manage stock portfolios, see exchange rates, observe markets, and many other functions. The Bloomberg Certification is a self-paced e-learning course that provides a visual introduction to financial markets and the core functionality of the Bloomberg terminal. This certification gives students the chance to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world. This gives our members the ability to practice their investment skills and motivate them to work harder in the classroom. Certification is very helpful to students in their search for internships and permanent positions.
In 2019, the Mackey Family Charitable Trust Financial Trading Room was dedicated following a generous gift from the Mackey family. The room serves as an extension to the Bloomberg Lab for a larger number of students to participate in the investment process. The financial trading room provides students with up-to-the-minute news and financial information. The room also has Bloomberg access.
There are many leadership opportunities available for students in SMIP. As a new member, students are placed into a specific sector and start as an analyst. These analysts work under a student sector leader. A sector leader is a position that students can move into as well as other higher positions. Students can become the director of Investor Relations, the chief compliance officer, chief economist, portfolio managers, and the chief investment officer.
SMIPS's current chief investment officer is Jack Steve. Jack is a finance/accounting business honors student, who joined SMIP his freshman year and is currently a junior."I knew I wanted to major in finance and accounting, and when I visited IUP, SMIP and the Bloomberg Lab convinced me that it was the right choice. Since then, I have spent the last two years learning and growing throughout the club."
There are several incredible experiences that SMIP provides to its members, but one of these experiences is putting together and presenting the quarterly reports. Members of SMIP work hard to put together the quarterly reports by collecting data and running many financial analyses. After students have put together the report, it is then presented to the Foundation for IUP. Many SMIP students have said that they feel working on the quarterly reports is what best prepared them for their careers after college. The quarterly reports are just one responsibility of SMIP, but there are many more learning opportunities and experiences to gain in this organization.
According to organization co-advisor Dan Lawson, the SMIP has an extensive list of alumni that are always looking to help students find jobs or internships. These alumni come back to talk to students in the organization and help teach them new strategies. This organization is not only a great learning experience, but it provides "real world" experience.
SMIP is always looking for new members that have an interest in investments and are eager to learn. Please reach out to either Dan Lawson (dlawson@iup.edu), Lua Augustin (Laugusti@iup.edu), or our CIO, Jack Steve (cjfy@iup.edu), if you have any questions about this organization or have an interest in joining SMIP.