How to Survive the 10-Month MAF Program

by Natalia Anais Rosas Villeda · Published November 29, 2023 · Updated August 23, 2024

There is no doubt that the Master of Analytical Finance (MAF) class of 2023 was full of trailblazers who, despite a lot of uncertainty in the world, were able to plant the roots going forward for all of the future classes. Although a 10-month STEM master’s program sounds especially daunting, I assure you that you’re stepping into a program where you’ll find a new family away from home. Here are a few tips that will hopefully help you make the best out of your time at Goizueta Business School!

Get Involved in Extracurricular Opportunities

There’s no better way to feel closer to the MAF program than to participate in activities outside of the classroom. One of the first opportunities you have available is to join student leadership and help coordinate events and surprises for your classmates. You can also expand your analytical finance knowledge beyond the classroom and join competitions like the CFA Ethics & Research Challenges and the Bloomberg Trading Challenge. Take advantage of these opportunities to work together with others in the program and make new friends!

MAF Student Leadership Fall Social Hour Event

CFA Society Atlanta Ethics Challenge Winners — MAF Student Leadership Fall Social Hour Event

Take Advantage of Lab Resources

Listen closely and take notes during boot camp and orientation. You will be amazed at all of the resources you have available to use and 4 months down the road, you will be searching the orientation PowerPoints for “that one website we learned about”. You are also lucky enough to have access to Bloomberg Terminals in the finance lab. Whether you’re wanting to find a new restaurant to try, or track your favorite ETF, terminal access is only one click away.

Communicate With Your Program Directors and Professors

MAF Students with Dr. Kirsten Travers-UyHam, Academic Director, at the Winter Holiday party at Invesco

Even if you’re not visiting office hours weekly, don’t be afraid to reach out with any concerns or questions. The MAF program faculty number is small, but it only helps enrich the relationships you build with the professors. If you have any academic or performance concerns, work together with the academic and program advisors. They want to see you walk on graduation as much as you want to.

Be Informed About and Use Emory Resources

Alongside the support from the Goizueta staff, Emory has multiple resources on campus to help with other concerts other than academics. Take advantage of the partnerships and relationships the Graduate Career Management Center has. Many of the interviews and offers I received were thanks to the support and materials provided by the GCMC. They are constantly listening to student feedback and are more than willing to work with you to help you find the job you want.

If you are feeling stressed or just need someone to talk to, visit CAPS Services. Even if it’s just a one-time emergency, they have crisis appointments with on-call counselors either on campus or over the phone. Being a student, especially in a fast-paced program, can get stressful. There is also Emory Student Case Management and Intervention Services. Whether you’re dealing with food insecurity, or academic concerns, you will be connected to a case manager that will help support you and advocate for you.

MAF Program Graduates at Diploma Ceremony

Don’t ever hesitate to reach out for help. The MAF program office wants to see you succeed! If you have any concerns or would like to be directed to additional resources, feel free to contact Christine Battle, the MAF program director.

**Make an AMAZING Group of Friends**

I didn’t know that as soon as I walked into the lab for the first time on August 8, 2022, I was also becoming part of a new family. Don’t be scared to reach out and make friends. When you’re in a full-time program, you want to spend the 8 hours of your day on campus with people you get along with and can eat lunch with every day. The friends you make at Goizueta are your connections for the rest of your life. I wouldn’t have been able to survive the MAF program alone without the incredible group of lifelong friends I made!

Good luck to all future MAF classes! Never doubt yourself or your abilities. Time will fly by, and graduation will be here as soon as you know it.

Whether you’re a finance novice or you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, Goizueta’s 10-month, action-based Master of Analytical Finance program is for versatile thinkers ready for next-gen finance careers in sales and trading, investment management, FinTech, and investment banking. Learn more about Goizueta’s MAF program.