Walk Down Wall Street 2026 saw more than 50 Bryant students stroll through the heart of New York's Financial District, gain entry into offices where billions of dollars in investments are managed, and glimpse possible future careers.
Organized by the university's Amica Center for Career Education and enhanced by the enthusiastic participation of Bryant alumni in the finance industry, the two-day trip to Manhattan involved visits to Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and BNY. Highlights included a tour of the New York Stock Exchange and alumni networking events where students made important contacts and got firsthand information on the challenges and opportunities available in the world of finance.
Students also got a literal taste of New York with breakfast at the famous Carnegie Deli and lunch at John's Pizzeria, housed in a former church just off Times Square.
"There's so many aspects of the financial industry that we don't really discuss in the classroom, but there are so many jobs, and finance is such an adaptable degree," said Alex Thomas '27. "For instance, hedge fund operations hire so many candidates right out of college ... I would have had no idea that these opportunities existed without Walk Down Wall Street."
Heidi Sousa ’26 noted that the networking opportunities the group had in New York were invaluable.
"One of the big things about these trips is they give you a much larger community than you even realize," said Sousa.
Kaley Simas '29, added that one of her biggest takeaways was learning not to be afraid of speaking up or taking chances.
"Even something as little as asking a question during a panel was scary for me," said Simas. "You really have to take that leap of faith and do it, because at the end of the day, it's now or never."
Thomas, Sousa, and Simas recently reflected on their Walk Down Wall Street experience, which they said helped them define their career ambitions and improved their self-confidence. (Watch the video here.)
