Uzonna Mkparu

One of the things I like most about Bulldog is that it brings together a  group of people with similar interests who want to learn. We are all  there because we want to learn more about the stock market, investing  and valuing businesses. Before I became involved with Bulldog, it was  hard to find a non self-interested resource to provide quality knowledge  on these topics. The people are what make Bulldog interesting and  successful. Even if I hadn’t developed an understanding of how to value a  business, my time would have still been well spent with Bulldog just  because of all the enthusiastic, fun, great people I got to spend time  with and the friendships that were created. 

The thing I liked least about Bulldog were Dave Sather’s email blasts. I  wasn’t used to getting so many emails on various value investing  topics. Now I realize that email is actually important in the world of  work, it’s not just to find out what the latest Groupon deal is.  Seriously though, because of Bulldog Investment Company, and Dave, I  have learned how important it is to return emails in a timely manner. I  have heard, on several occasions, people complement Dave on how quickly  he replies to emails. Although I am not quite up to Dave’s speed, and it  is something I can work on, through Bulldog I learned how appreciative  people are when you reply to their emails in a timely manner. Bulldog  taught me many simple things such as that, which can really help a  college graduate stand out in the business world. 

Bulldog will greatly add to your educational experience at  TLU and provide you with knowledge that will be useful to you even after  you graduate. Bulldog gives you the basic tools you need to look at a  business and determine if that business is “good” or “bad” and you can  apply this standard no matter what field or industry you enter into when  you leave TLU. Being able to delve into financial statements and know  what you are looking for is an extremely useful skill. The principles I  learned in Bulldog can be applied equally by a bank lender trying to  figure out if he should approve a loan for a business, an accountant who  needs to piece together financial statements, a small business owner  trying to run a better business, or in one’s personal life, when trying  to invest for retirement or abstaining from the use of debt. Bulldog is  not a simulation. It is a real world exercise, using real money with  real consequences and real achievements. I would tell a current student  that they have a chance to be a part of something special and take  advantage of an opportunity that is not usually presented to  undergraduate students. It’s a great way to meet amazing people, a great  line to have on your resume, and I guarantee, in some way, it will  continue to benefit you even after you have graduated from college. 

There is a high standard that has been set for Bulldog interns. Interns  are expected to be on time and in attendance. They are expected to be  prepared every week and especially when it comes to presenting their  potential investment ideas. Although weekly meetings are held in a TLU  classroom, it is an internship and students are expected to behave as if  Bulldog is their job. This gave me a job-like experience before a  paycheck was on the line.  I think Bulldog provides a great segue from  the classroom environment, into the “real world.” In a classroom, you  can get away with missing class or not doing your work if you want to.  No one is depending on you, you are only responsible for yourself and  your grade. In Bulldog, you are part of a team that relies on all of its  members to do their job. You are required to be there and do your part  or you will be “fired” from the internship. There are high standards in  Bulldog, but no more so than what every employer requires from their  employees. These standards helped prepare me for life in the “real  world.” 

I was fortunate enough to get a job with Sather Financial Group, which  sponsors the Bulldog Investment Company program. So Bulldog directly  transitioned into a job for me. Although my entrance into the world of  professional investment management is probably the exception, rather  than the rule among Bulldog interns, my participation gave me a  competitive advantage among other college graduates that I sincerely  believe would have helped me in obtaining a job in a variety of fields,  had I chosen to do so. 

I just wish more people could know what they are missing out on, and how  much Bulldog could add to their learning experience at TLU. 

I would say the people were the best part. Everyone there was there to learn, and act in a more "grown-up" way.  The readings and discussions that followed were always interesting and full of valuable information, not just on the topic, but how to analyze an article and figure out what is really being said.  Having Dave to bounce questions and ideas off of was a plus as well, not just on investments.  Dave’s interest in the student's lives is awesome, as it helps bring the group together as a whole.

I learned so much during the fun time I spent helping start and run Bulldog for the first 2 years, but the highlights would include: how to be a conservative value investor by studying facts and not fluff, how to be a better presenter and how to handle questions from an audience, as well as making friends and connections I can rely on throughout my life.

The Friday meetings were the part I liked least, or disliked most... whichever.  I know people have difficult schedules, but this was the hard part for me with trying to manage things at home. 

I would say jump in it.  Dave is a wonderful teacher (instructor, supervisor, whatever...), and always brings up interesting details and turns them into discussions. The real-life feeling is very good.  It helps when you have real money, and can see real gains and losses on a portfolio.  It isn't just some simulation like the Policy capstone class... it is a real-world setting with real-world results and consequences.  Dave is good about letting you get your ideas out, then pointing out potential issues with your stock idea based on numbers and current events. 

The presentations helped me the most I would say.  The feeling of having to prepare a thorough presentation and knowing the material well is crucial for everyday business.  Also the on-the-spot feeling of trying to answer Dave's questions was difficult at the time, but it helped train me how to prepare better, anticipate questions and know how to deal with the immediate stress of being on the spot in front of a group of people.

The standard meeting time was also good in a sense of it helped get me in the habit of being early to things to help get set up and make sure everything was working.

Decisions have consequences.  To invest, or not to invest...  Knowing how to value a company and options are key in this business, but these decision making concepts apply to many business situations.  You have to know how to weigh your options and go with the best one in many situations.

The only real thing I would change from my time in Bulldog would be the meeting dates--move them off Friday.  Otherwise, it was a fantastic learning experience. 

I feel like I learned more in the year I was in Bulldog than I could  have learned in two or more years in the class room. When you look at  smart investing and begin to understand how to research and look for  companies that are consistently performing well, you start to notice  patterns that can assist you in making smart investment choices. The  presentations were grueling and really motivated and drove you to doing  better on the next one, making sure that you did enough research in  picking the companies that you were sure would be a great addition to  Bulldog’s portfolio. “Trial by fire” is a method that can be taxing, but  the benefits and rewards can be reaped in such a small period of time,  and there’s no substitute for experience. When you get the opportunity  to get your hands dirty, you can learn so much more. 

The work in Bulldog is fulfilling, but don’t be fooled into thinking it  will be a cakewalk. The research can and will take a lot of time, and  the presentations demand time and practice in order to be executed well.  If you already have a full plate, it can be demanding. 

If you’re really interested in business – whether it be economics,  finance, marketing, accounting, etc. – I would highly recommend giving  Bulldog a try. This internship gives you an opportunity to examine the  events that are taking place in the real world and how they are  affecting multiple facets of businesses and the overall economy. When  you get to see exactly what it is that is causing the success and/or  failure of a company, you begin to understand more about how changes in  the variables of that company have an impact on their short-term and  long-term success, their ability to attract certain markets and develop a  brand image(s), and their sustainability. Bulldog offers the  opportunity not just to teach you about ratios and variables, but how to  examine events and occurrences in the real world and recognize patterns  that will lead to better and more successful business decisions. 

You have to work hard and be willing to put in the time and effort to  obtain your goals. You have to be smart and attentive in your work, and  you can’t be afraid of making mistakes. Nothing will teach you faster  than getting your hands dirty. Your bosses can and will grill you when  there’s a mistake – and the presentations taught me this very well – but  you’ve got to be willing to make some mistakes before you can really  understand how the process works. 

When I explained to my job interviewers exactly what Bulldog is and what it  is that we do – they were blown away that we were so heavily involved in  such detailed investment processes and research, and that we had real  skin in the game in the form of real money in our portfolio. It  definitely gave me a leg up on my competition. 

The only change I would make, and it is more of an alteration, is the  availability for meetings and presentations. I wish that Bulldog was  available more like a class (multiple times a week for 1-1.5 hours) than  once at the end of the week for two hours. I think this would increase  the effectiveness of the hands-on-learning, and raise overall  attentiveness during meetings. That being said, Dave Sather is unable to  be two places at one time, so it’s more of an alteration. 

It’s “real world experience.” You’re making the final decisions of how to invest the funds as student members. 

Of course as busy as college life is, just dedicating the extra time to  go to the meetings and do the research is really the only downside. 

It’s like taking a FREE class at TLU. You learn just as much (and in  some cases more) in Bulldog than you do in paid classes at TLU. A lot of  the topics we covered in Bulldog aren’t covered in any other classes. 

The stuff you learn in Bulldog can directly be used once you get out of  college, get a job, and start saving for the future. Bulldog is a great  start to learning how to put your savings to the best use possible. 

Bulldog gives you a small platform to enter the workforce on. You’re  coming out of college with relevant experience under your belt that can  be applied to more than just the equity investing aspect of businesses. 

Hmmm…more free pizza? I really have no complaints. It was fun, extremely educational, and definitely worth the extra time. 

Mostly I liked doing research for the companies we wanted to present and learn during that process while working with others. If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.

I think it’s beneficial for any student to participate in such an  internship as Bulldog Investment Company.  You learn a lot about  different matters; you definitely become aware and learn a lot about  what is going on in the world economically and financially, and above  all you get a good eye on identifying good companies from bad ones,  which is a useful skill no matter what major you are in. Putting your  energy in this internship is worthwhile and pays off in your future  endeavors. You will be more prepared and more knowledgeable when going  into the real world. 

In Bulldog Investment Company you learn a lot about the real world. Not  only does the content discussed during the meetings teach you so much  about what is going on around you, but you also greatly develop your  presentation and team working skills. Since Bulldog involves working in  teams, you learn to work better with others and become a team player,  which is a skill that all organizations are looking for in their  potential employees. 

During Bulldog, I became more comfortable presenting myself and  communicating more freely during presentations. In addition, I learned a  lot more about the business world. There is no doubt that having this  internship experience on my resume, as a Computer Science major,  impressed the interviewers during my job interviews and gave me a better  chance to obtain my job. I’m sure not many other applicants had such a  great internship experience. 

That’s a tough question. I think a top priority is to invest in  more effective marketing of Bulldog at TLU to recruit more students.  Perhaps getting in touch with other investment internships at other  schools and planning more of some sort of competitions and joint events. 

Bulldog Investment Company has helped me gain crucial skills that are  needed in the business world. Team work, weekly meetings, monthly  presentations, and speakers that inspired us to work harder and become  aware of the opportunities the business world offers us. Through value  investing, I was able to make long term decisions and reflect on such  decisions later. As a general rule, we focused more on the quantitative  aspects of the investments – researching the business, reflecting  Buffett’s principles, and making wise decisions based on such  measurements. 

The involvement of TLU’s business department and their approach toward  such an amazing opportunity for student – I would recommend business  professors take an active role on urging their students to be part of  Bulldog Investment Co, attend Bulldog Investment Co presentations and  their influential business speakers. 

Academia teaches us the theory behind the business world. As such, there  are some situations where we have observed a weak liaison between  academic concepts and long-term investing. In order to be successful  investors, students should be familiar with the real-world application  of asset valuation, risk and investment concepts. This is the most  promising path for successful investing in the long run given the issues  they will face in the real world. 

Being successful in the business world requires endurance. You are  required to do the research, analyze the data and review the sources  carefully in order to make a wise decision. Being part of the team that  conducts monthly presentations requires leadership, communication,  analytical and critical thinking skills that are required to be a  successful businessman. Therefore, if you are efficient at the duties  that are assigned to you, you are able to undergo the “real world”  challenges. 

Bulldog Investment Company has helped me connect with important people  in the business field. Furthermore, I was able to establish a strong  business background that enriched my resume and cover letter. Overall,  Dave Sather urged us to work hard and be successful in life. He was  always willing to write recommendation letters for us. 

I  would encourage highly motivated students to get involved in such an  amazing opportunity. Furthermore, BIC should be treated as a 3-4 credit  hour course and requires lots of research and preparation. As such,  students need to be prepared for the discussions and pay attention to  such discussions. Therefore, the best ways to achieve a positive  learning outcome would be accomplished by turning off electronic  devices, computers and other distractors.

I have often been a student that goes through a course without really  having to spend a lot of time outside of class studying to end up  successful. However, Bulldog Investment Company was much different,  especially for presentations, because I knew that if I wasn’t prepared  it would be noticed. This program doesn’t only hold students accountable  for their part in presentations, but is also fun and competitive. 

One of the most frustrating things about Bulldog Investment Co is  finding the motivation, or motivating one’s team, in order to not have  to scramble a presentation together at the last minute. Having a program  that is as involved as Bulldog Investment Co is great as long as teams  stay organized and work ahead. When this doesn’t happen, especially at  the end of the semester with finals looming, there is a lot of potential  for additional stress. 

Because you can be fired if students don’t uphold their end of the  commitment. Bulldog Investment Co holds interns accountable for  familiarizing oneself with the value-investing methodology and then  challenges teams to work together to apply it. Since interns can be  excused from the program, though this doesn’t really happen often,  students can taste real world expectations. Bulldog Investment Co helped  me to learn how to perform when I wasn’t comfortable. This program was a  great opportunity for me to begin to develop some presentation skills  and experience. Bulldog Investment Co also has given me the confidence  to do a little personal investing, which I have had success with.  There  are also great opportunities to listen to, interact with, and question  those within the business world that have already found success and have  much wisdom and experience to share. 

Besides being fired if you don’t do your work, Bulldog Investment Co  allows students to apply their business knowledge, while challenging  them to do so in a way that is understandable to all backgrounds. There  is a winner and a loser in each presentation, which taught me that  sometimes hard work leads to more hard work before the fruits of such  labor can be tasted. 

I don’t feel that much should be changed about Bulldog Investment  Company. Scheduling presentations so that they are evenly spaced  throughout the semester would be ideal, but I know that isn’t always  possible with so many different schedules, breaks, and holidays. 

The fact that I can quickly analyze some key financial ratios for a  company and gain an understanding if its a good investment or not is  pretty useful. I don’t believe any business class I took gave me near  comparable knowledge or experience as did Bulldog Investment Company.

Plus, we were treated us as adults and employees. All in all, the  experience was as if were were coming to work every Friday between 2 –  4, minus the suits.

 The timing of the class was a bit off for college kids. It may be  difficult for college kids to gain the desire to want to attend anything  on a Friday afternoon. Of course, in the real world, you would still be  at work during this time. Once I accepted the sessions being on a  Friday, it was much easier. 

The skills you learn in Bulldog Investment Company are extremely useful,  especially in the current economy. My generation won’t have much of a  social security benefit waiting for us; being able gain a better  understanding of investments, even an understanding of a 401K and how  important it is to jump into this area as early as possible is explained  throughout a student’s experience in Bulldog Investment Co. Not many  students in this country have such a privilege. 

The professionalism during presentations, your treatment of us as  employees, and the methods you used to gear our minds (instead of spoon  feeding us the whole time). 

Bulldog Investment Co. kept me on my toes in terms of professionalism.  My presentation skills have grown tremendously and my ability to  communicate under pressure has been a big plus. 

Probably the day of the week we meet. Possibly this would allow Bulldog  to gain a larger crowd and to strengthen it’s presence on campus. 

Bulldog Investment Company allowed me to figure out what I want to do  with my life. I was given the opportunity to speak with many different  people about their experiences throughout life and learn so much from  everyone. There are so many different functions, meetings, trades,  people, etc., thrown at the interns that there is never a time that I  was not learning something and shaping the way I thought about my future  and myself. 

 Honestly, I loved being in Bulldog Investment Company. The thing I liked  least was not being able to take advantage of every opportunity handed  to the interns. 

Bulldog Investment Company will teach you about portfolio management,  financial analysis, and the importance of paying attention to the news  and what is going on in your city, state, country and the world. Whether  you are a biologist or part of the finance industry, at some time you  will probably have money you want to invest. Having an idea of the best  way to do that will allow you to be knowledgably whether you use a  financial advisor or do it on your own. Bulldog Investment Company also  allows you to meet a bunch of interesting people and will learn a set of  analytical skills that you cannot get anywhere else. 

Being a part of Bulldog Investment Company, we had to give presentations  in front of our Board of Directors and answer any questions they had at  the end. I feel this forces the interns to make sure that everything we  research and say is up-to-date, honest, and correct. We are responsible  for researching a company so well that we feel confident that it will  not hurt our portfolio. If we slack off, our returns suffer, which is  something we take pride in. In addition, because we get the opportunity  to meet so many different people, we learn the art of talking to people  of all backgrounds as well as talking about ourselves and being  comfortable in the process. 

Bulldog Investment Company gave me the opportunity to meet a number of  people. Dave believes in us so much that he is never afraid to invite  money managers to our presentations. Many people do not realize how  important networking is, and Bulldog Investment Company not only gave me  a great set of skills that I get to flaunt at interviews, but it gave  me many people to contact who are more than willing to talk to me about  the financial services industry. 

After participating in the internship, I would say the one thing I would  change is how often we meet. We all have busy schedules, so it is not  always easy, but I would have loved to be able to meet more often than  once a week. Meeting for the internship on Fridays was something I  looked forward to every week. Not only did I get to test the new skills I  learned from the previous week, but also there is always something new  and exciting to talk about. Meeting just once a week, I learned so much  from Dave and the other interns. It is amazing to think that if I had  been able to pick everyone’s brains more, how much more about portfolio  management, financial analysis, and investing I could know. 

During my time in BIC, watching 20-30 minute videos was my least  favorite. Although these videos often contained valuable lessons or  strategies, I felt that they could have significantly shortened while  still conveying the same knowledge. I would have much rather spent more  time on interpreting financial statements or discussing option  strategies or other valuable analysis information. 

Current students should participate in BIC because it is a life  augmenting experience. BIC can be challenging, stressful, frustrating,  and confusing. However, it is highly rewarding because of all of the  difficulties the program entails. When you finally begin to understand  the language of financial statements, opportunity cost, and have the  courage to present your findings in front of a board of industry  professionals, it is extremely satisfying. 

 BIC offered many aspects that prepared me for the “real world”. Among  the top of these many aspects would have to be team work, leadership,  professional speaking, critical thinking, and stress. In BIC, you must  learn to work cohesively with a group of other interns to successfully  analyze a company and build a presentation for the company. Oftentimes,  you will have to display significant leadership in this team environment  to ensure the presentation is the level of quality expected by the  board. BIC offers an abundance of opportunities to practice and refine  professional speaking skills. After each presentation, the board will  ask the presenters questions regarding their presentation. These  questions are often difficult or “beneath the surface” questions and  they require a high level of quick critical thinking and preparation to  answer correctly. Most of all, BIC teaches you how to manage stress and  nerves. Throughout the entire process, interns are often short on time,  manpower, and information. BIC teaches interns how to handle this stress  and complete what needs to be done regardless of the circumstances. 

 BIC not only provided me with many professional skills, such as writing  emails, thank you letters, and professional speaking, it provided me  with knowledge that will be beneficial in any company. This knowledge is  the ability to read and interpret financial statements. 

 I would keep the same amount of presentations, but spread them out more  within the school year. I understand that they are already spread out as  much as they can be, but you said I have all the power in the world,  right?