Did you know there is an educational resource on campus that can lead to a certificate that may open the door into the exciting world of finance and investment? That resource is The Bloomberg Finance/Investment Lab. It is in El Paso Hall, E018, not far from the Office of Student Life. To be certified there are four required areas of instructional videos the student needs to complete. The topics are economic indicators, currencies, fixed income (bonds), and equities (stocks). Additional videos include commodities, options, and portfolio management. The only requirement is that you be a student at Dallas College with a student email account. The best feature is that it is free.
Stock values are shown across the television and the ticker in the Bloomberg Finance and Investment lab. Staff Photo Victor London
The person in charge is Todd Senick who can be contacted through [email protected]. Senick has 25 years of experience in the finance industry. Among other things he has been a stockbroker and hedge fund manager. He was working in education as an academic coach for masters ’ programs when the opportunity to oversee the certificate program at Dallas College became a reality. He says, “tThis is the best of both worlds, I get to be in education, ([and]) I get to do some things in finance and investments.”
What is the Bloomberg Terminal? Senick describes it as a “large database of anything you can think of.” He notes that its main purpose is “for economic information relating to investments such as stocks and bonds.” It is a great tool to do economic research with a vast array news, opinion, analysis, and forecasts available. The Bloomberg Terminal is ubiquitous throughout the financial industry and therefore the certificate offered at Dallas College can be a plus to someone interested in working in the financial industry.
One of the students in the program, Tristian Townes says that being certified on the Bloomberg Terminal gives a “leg up on landing an internship” in the finance industry. Tristian is also a member of the investment club that uses the Bloomberg Terminal. He learned about the club when Todd Senick visited his economics class.
The idea of the club is to generate interest in investing. Members use the Bloomberg Terminal to create simulated portfolios by executing trades. It gives real world experience without the risk of financial loss The club is in its early stages but already has a full complement of officers. Also like the real world, club members compete with each other to see who the best performer is.
You can find Todd Senick in the Bloomberg Lab in El Paso Hall or send him an email at [email protected].
