Investment Portfolio Analyst, Regions Financial Corporation
Nicholas has worked as a Fixed Income Analyst in the Investment Portfolio Group at Regions Financial for over a year. The group manages ~$24 billion in securities on the bank's balance sheet. Nicholas's focus is on the credit sector, conducting research and surveillance in the CMBS and Corporate Bond space, in addition to providing financial reporting for the Treasury department. Nicholas has worked at Regions for over two years, beginning his career in a rotational program geared towards providing diversified exposure across the different segments of Corporate Finance. Nicholas graduated from Auburn University, Summa Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Economics. At Auburn, Nicholas served as both President of the Economics Club and Vice President of the College of Business. Nicholas was also inducted in Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and several other Honor Societies.
"A degree in Economics from Auburn University provides a different kind of education. While various majors are geared towards specific vocations, Economics enables you with a multitude of choices. Whether you choose to pursue graduate school or a career in the public or private sector, the most powerful skill set gained from this degree is the ability to think critically.
One aspect of my job requires following and understanding the financial markets. In order to fully begin how to comprehend everything happening in the world, you must first understand cause and effect with respect to market forces at play. The principles and foundations you learn in both your micro and macro classes are, in my opinion, the most applicable concepts one can choose to exercise in the real world. Technical skills can easily be learned on the job if one has been taught the ability to think critically.
Learning should never simply be constrained to any single curriculum. Instead, at Auburn, the Economics department places the emphasis on the development of the students, and the relationships formed transcend the concrete limitations of a single classroom. As an "econ" major, and equipped with a dedicated faculty that serve as an invaluable resource at your disposal, remember to ask questions, think outside the box, and most importantly, use your brain!"
