Student Athlete Highlight: Aiden Gilbert 24MAF
In this series featuring student-athletes at Goizueta, we’ll delve into the dynamic lives of those who skillfully manage both their athletic pursuits and the rigorous demands of business school.
Meet Aiden Gilbert 24MAF
Hometown: Southern California
Sport: Men’s Track and Field
Career aspiration: Restructuring Investment Banking
- Can you describe a typical day in your life as a student-athlete in business school?
On a typical Monday, I start my day with a phenomenal class led by Professor Wei (Advanced Corporate Finance) at 8:30 AM. I then have two more classes focusing on quantitative investment strategies and currencies lasting until 12:45 PM. From there, I will head home, grab lunch, do a little bit of homework, and prepare for practice. Practice begins at 3:00 PM and lasts until 4:30 PM. After practice, I head to lift, which runs until about 6:00 PM. After dinner, I will spend the rest of the night doing homework and/or reading. I try and get to bed by 11:00 PM.
- How do you stay focused and maintain a high level of performance both on the track and in the classroom?
Setting a schedule and being really focused during my allotted times for track/school. When I am at track practice, my attention is 100% dedicated to track, and when I’m studying, my attention is 100% dedicated to school. It’s pretty easy to get distracted and waste time, so I try and limit that as much as possible. Also important, however, is taking time for yourself to relax. If I do find myself with free time, I try and do something I enjoy outside of track/school (watch a show/movie, grab dinner with friends, etc).
- What skills have you learned from your athletic endeavors that you find applicable to your studies in business school?
It’s pretty cliche, but definitely just work ethic and the value of quality repetition to achieve your goals. In sprinting, it takes countless hours of training/lifting/recovery just for the chance to improve by a second. It’s the same for building your finance/business acumen. If there’s something I don’t fully understand or am uncomfortable with, I try and apply that same logic of putting in the hours and reps in like in track to make sure I can grasp it.
- Have there been any memorable moments or experiences that stand out to you in your dual role as a student-athlete in business school?
Hopefully a UAA championship in February and April! But, outside of that:
Being a graduate student-athlete and one of the older members of my team has given me a cool opportunity to give some of the underclassmen advice on school/recruiting/networking. Juggling athletics, school, and the job search can be a daunting process, so any time I’m able to give a piece of advice is a good moment because I know I appreciated it when I was in their shoes.
- What advice would you give to other student-athletes considering pursuing higher education in business while continuing their athletic careers?
Don’t lose the competitive nature once you’re done competing. It’s a very valuable skill that I believe employers really like to see. Reach out/network with other student-athletes. Some of the best advice I received on the job search process was from fellow student-athletes, so use the network to your advantage.
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.
