Preparing for private equity success at WMU Haworth

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Senior finance student Michael Harmon is tackling preparation for the workforce through internships, as well as Experience-Driven Learning at Western Michigan University. From Muskegon, Michigan, Harmon has found his professional footing at the Haworth College of Business.

Over the last year, Harmon had the opportunity to intern at Greenleaf Trust as a trust banking intern. 

“I rotated through four divisions of the company—wealth management, corporate retirement planning, financial research, and financial operations,” he says.

At the firm, Harmon benefited from a variety of hands-on experiences. 

• Wealth management: “Here, I worked with a mock client case, completing trust and financial planning training, analyzing the sample estate plan and investment portfolio, and developing strategies to minimize taxes and avoid probate.”
• Retirement planning: “I conducted account reviews, supported retirement plan meetings and prepared due diligence reports on mutual funds and retirement projects.”
• Financial research: “I completed a case study which involved benchmarking valuations, building a discounted cash flow model and presenting my findings to the research team and senior leadership."
• Financial operations: “I contributed to governance and compliance projects for the team and delivered a capstone presentation at the end, which summarized my contributions to the firm, skills gained and the overall impact the internship had on me.”

Harmon’s time as an intern at Greenleaf Trust solidified his passion for his future career that lies right around the corner.

“The projects I worked on gave me valuable exposure to the diligence process, the role of professional research platforms and the importance of clear presentation. More importantly, it affirmed my interest in private equity. What excites me most about a career in private equity is the opportunity to work with businesses through mergers and acquisitions—not just evaluating deals but also driving long-term growth and transformation after the initial investment.”

WMU Haworth prepares students like Harmon for success, challenging them to achieve their goals. “The college of business has supported my academic goals by fostering a culture of continuous achievement and a strong work ethic,” Harmon says. “Throughout my time studying and working in the college, faculty members have provided guidance, encouragement and access to essential academic resources. Additionally, involvement in Phi Delta Theta and the Financial Services Association has helped me develop leadership skills and connect with a strong network of peers.”

As Harmon’s time as a student at WMU Haworth draws to a close, he has his sights set on the life ahead of him.

"As I work toward a career in private equity, I am actively building both my technical skills and industry experience. I recently began a private equity internship with Sleeping Giant Capital and have started certified coursework with Wall Street Prep there. In the summer, I plan to study abroad in Europe to gain international exposure to finance and business practices. Additionally, I am completing the Bloomberg Market Concepts certification and am preparing for the Certified Financial Advisor Level 1 Exam. To further strengthen my foundation for a career in private equity, I also plan to pursue financial modeling and valuation analyst certification as well as FINRA’s Securities Industry Essentials license.”

Learn more about finance at WMU. 

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