Dylan Swanson
What did you like most about your time in BIC?
When reflecting on my time in Bulldog Investment Company, I can without a doubt say it was the pinnacle of my college career. My favorite aspect of the program is the “flywheel of success”, as the BIClings like to call it. New students join the program eager to learn, tenured students help mentor new members as they continue to build knowledge, and graduating students seek the advice of Alumni as they enter the next chapter of their lives. There is a bond amongst program members, current and past, that is formed through hard work, adversity, and the continued success of the Bulldog Investment Company program. In the process an incredible learning environment is created.
What did you like least about your time in BIC?
There is not much to dislike about the BIC program itself. I had a phenomenal experience during my 5 semesters in the program, and always felt like I was learning. If I had to choose, my least favorite aspect was the time of class made it difficult for athletes to consistently participate due to games and practices.
Why should current students participate in BIC?
There are several benefits to students joining and participating in the Bulldog Investment Company program. Most notably, students will gain skills in financial analysis, critical thinking, and public speaking. Additionally, students will also earn a line item on their resume that will allow them to have potentially years’ worth of experience upon graduation.
What aspects of BIC have prepared you for the real world?
The aspect of BIC that prepared me the most for the real world is the high standards within the program. The program is not an experiment or exercise, as such “mistakes cost money, and wise decisions make money”, and it is treated as such. This dynamic truly gave me a glimpse of what it looks like when a real deal, money and or jobs are on the line. Additionally, other aspects such as the importance of being on time, dressing the part, and making good impressions have all helped prepare me for the real world.
How has BIC helped you find a job?
Through connections that I built during Bulldog Investment Company I was able to find employment upon graduation doing exactly what I wanted to do. In addition to the skills that can be learned within the program, BIC allowed me to start building my resume and grow my network. In turn I was left with multiple options for potential employment upon graduation.
If you had all the power in the world to change anything about BIC, what would it be?
If I had all the power in the world to change the BIC program, I’m not sure I would. The only aspect I would change is more recognition of the scholarships that are given through program. BIC is a great learning opportunity alone, but it can also help students fund an expensive college career. The program deserves to be recognized, students’ hard work should be acknowledged, and the scholarship honoree should be honored.
Logan Arciba
Why should someone participate in Bulldog Investment Co?
I think first and foremost is the public speaking aspect of BIC. Regardless of your major, it is important to be good at public speaking in a personal setting and especially a work setting. Critical thinking and research skills. Knowing that you can’t just do slapdash work without getting grilled by the judges, makes people have to critically think when going through BIC and have answers as to why they did what they did. Whenever you go through the research process, you learn different types of research skills and how to improve at researching, with how to find articles, presentations, YouTube videos, etc. This process can then be used in other aspects of research people will encounter. Presentation/PowerPoint skills. This goes public speaking skills, and it is that you’ll become better at presenting your research and thesis to a group/public. Not only will you learn how to present better but since we work with PowerPoint a lot, you’ll also learn what needs to go into a presentation and how to tell a story to get your point across in the best manner possible.
Connections/Network. You will build lifelong connections with the people you suffered with and as well be able to get in touch with a wide network of BIC alumni.
What did you like most about your time in Bulldog?
I enjoyed the personal growth I experienced and the countless nights staying up with the presenting team I was with for the semester. During those nights you get to know one another and whenever you’re stressing out together about a presentation due in less than 12 hours, you create a type of bond that is hard to replicate in your other classes you go through at TLU.
If you had all the power in the world to change anything about Bulldog…. what would it be?
I would go back to mandatory assignments. I know I lacked on my end sometimes when it came to submitting my mandatory assignments, but I believe having these assignments can weed out the people who don’t take BIC as serious or just want to coast by. As well as having more in class discussions about stocks we have and maybe like what to do with certain stocks we have questions about. Although, I think we did a better job of that this most recent semester and with all the new students, it felt very lively!
What else would you like to share about Bulldog, the Business Department, TLU…or anything else?
Keep on keeping on. BIC is one of the few bright spots about TLU and in a changing environment at the university, it’s nice to have something that has kept its standards while also evolving in the right direction.
Daniel Foulk
Why should someone participate in Bulldog Investment Co?
Teach about investing, time management, teamwork, researching, and to get friends for life.
What did you like most about your time in Bulldog?
The fun Fridays, friendships and being overtired researching the presentations with those friends.
If you had all the power in the world to change anything about Bulldog….what would it be?
There are several benefits to students joining and participating in the Bulldog Investment Company program. Most notably, students will gain skills in financial analysis, critical thinking, and public speaking. Additionally, students will also earn a line item on their resume that will allow them to have potentially years’ worth of experience upon graduation.
Pablo Samanez
If you had all the power in the world….what would you change about BIC?
If I could change one thing about BIC, it would be stronger promotion across campus. Ideally, every student at TLU should be aware of BIC, especially business students. The primary focus should be on freshmen and sophomores, particularly in FREX and in the business classes. Collaborating with business professors to encourage or require attendance at a few BIC meetings would help increase awareness and participation. I would also add organized trips to the New Braunfels and Victoria offices at Sather Financial Group to provide more real world exposure.
What did you like most about BIC?
What I liked most about BIC was the people in the program and the alumni network. This program brings together high performing students, which raises the standard and makes the experience even better. You are surrounded by individuals who are driven, disciplined, and focused on improving, which pushes you to elevate your own performance. At the same time, those shared challenges build strong relationships that extend beyond the classroom that also lead to long lasting connections and friednships. The alumni network is also a major advantage. It is active, credible, and willing to help through mentorship, advice, and career opportunities. There is a level of trust within the network because the alumni understand the expectations and work ethic required to succeed in BIC, which makes their support more meaningful.
What did you like least about BIC?
There is not a whole lot I disliked about BIC, but I do wish more presentations had been recorded. In the past, presentations were recorded, and I think bringing that back would be valuable. I would also like to see more competitions like TIPS and ACBSP, along with more opportunities to compete or connect with other universities that have investment programs. I enjoy the presentations we have in BIC and the rotary presentations we had this past year, but continuing to expand external competition would add even more competitiveness and reputation to the BIC program.
What advice do you have for anyone considering BIC?
My advice to anyone considering BIC is to join and fully commit. For business students especially, it is one of the few opportunities to gain real, hands on experience before graduating. It strengthens your resume in a way most students cannot match, builds a strong and credible network, and develops core skills in presentation, research, financial statement analysis, critical thinking, and leadership. In a job market that is becoming more competitive, especially for entry level roles, BIC gives you a clear edge and helps you stand out to employers.