Undergraduate Students

Carlson Funds Enterprise students participate in an intensive 8-credit, 2-semester course in which they gain hands-on experience with the management and marketing of a live portfolio from investments made by several area companies. The coursework required for the CFE aligns with the Finance Major core curriculum.

• Finance Major and Minor Information
• Sample Plan: Finance Major with Carlson Funds Enterprise

Curricular Requirements 

When applying to the Funds Enterprise, students should be on track to complete all courses listed below by the end of their semesters in the Funds Enterprise. Additionally, we have suggested an "Ideal Order" for your planning purposes, however, it is not required to follow these suggestions.

Program Curriculum 

Students admitted to the CFE will be granted permission to register for the corresponding course, depending on their placement with the fixed income or growth fund. As the Funds Enterprise is a one year commitment, students should register for the corresponding course for both the spring and fall semester, earning a total of 8 credits (4 credits each semester). Of the 8 credits total for the enterprise experience, 4 will count towards the finance major.

Focus Areas Include:

• Discussing the economy, the markets and their impact on the portfolio
• Monitoring the fund's existing holdings
• Researching asset classes to make buy/sell recommendations according to investment guidelines
• Presenting portfolio recommendations to the Investment Oversight Committee, a panel of industry professionals and faculty advisers
• Overseeing all operational aspects of their respective fund, including portfolio management, marketing, client relations, media relations and performance reporting

Other Suggested Courses

The Carlson Funds Enterprise collects applications in November for the upcoming year (spring semester and fall semester). Visit CFE open house events during the fall semester to meet our Managing Director and speak with current students to gain a full understanding of CFE and explore if it is a good fit for you and your goals. Learn more about upcoming events by looking at our events page. Interested students are encouraged to apply bellow. All applicants will be interviewed and notified of a decision before the end of the fall semester. 
 

 Application Deadline: Friday, November 17th, 2023

 Acceptance Notifications: Tuesday, November 28th, 2023

After November 28th: Rolling admission based on space. Email Olivia at  to inquirestarr182@umn.edu

CARLSON FUNDS ENTERPRISE APPLICATION

Application Documents Include:

• Cover Letter (one page) addressing: your interest in joining the CFE, how the CFE would contribute to your career plans, and your ability to meet the time commitment and participation requirements (2 semesters, 15-20 hours/week, some level of work during school breaks/summer).
• DEI Statement (250 words) addressing: what you have done to support diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Carlson School.
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript

Participation Requirements

All students are expected to actively participate in each class during the term - all portfolio decisions are made in a group setting, and every student analyst needs to come prepared to discuss the markets and the companies being researched. Expect a significant non-classroom workload.

Unlike Carlson’s project-based Enterprise Programs, the CFE is a year round commitment. Students are responsible for portfolio management activities on an ongoing basis, including during breaks and summer. The Financial Markets do not take breaks, and our clients expect and deserve vigilance. At the same time, we recognize the importance of other activities including internships and global experiences. We know everyone needs to recharge and refresh. That’s why we employ a team-based approach to research and portfolio management. It is each team’s responsibility to ensure that all companies are covered, and that monthly performance reports are produced and distributed. We encourage students to work remotely when needed, and collaborate actively with their teams even when traveling. That’s part of the real-world experience!

Ethics in Practice

The Carlson Funds Enterprise embraces the notion that businesses which do well over the long term behave ethically in the short term. While it can be a challenge to draw a straight line from the business’s core values to its long-term performance, we encourage students to explore these topics in a disciplined, thoughtful way. Prior to starting the programs, all students are required to complete specific modules covering these topics through the CFA Society and Principals of Responsible Investing (PRI).