“During my two years at Drew, I was fully involved in intense studies that made a lasting impression”
September 2024 – Recent alum Zhihao “Aki” Chen G’24 not only landed an impressive position at Helport AI Limited, but played an integral role in their successful transition to a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ.
An international student originally from China, Chen graduated from Drew University’s Caspersen School of Graduates Studies‘ Master of Science in Finance (MFin) program with honors—earning the highest GPA in the program.
Chen landed a business analyst position with Helport AI Limited, an AI technology company serving enterprise customer contact centers with intelligent products, solutions, and a digital platform. He was an integral member of the IPO transaction team, working directly with the NASDAQ. “I primarily served as the coordinator and primary point of contact with the NASDAQ event manager to ensure the listing event ran smoothly for our company and investors,” said Chen.
“Aki has really been thrust into an amazing role very early in his career and really responded BIG,” said Associate Teaching Professor of Finance, Associate Chair Department of Business Steve Firestone.
We sat down with Chen to learn more about his experience at Drew and his role at Helport. This is what he had to say.
Why did you come to Drew to earn your MFin?
Drew offered me the opportunity to study finance, even though my undergraduate major is different. Drew’s MFin program also has many experienced professors who are either veterans or still working at high levels in the finance industry. The program has excellent connections within the profession and Wall Street.
How was your experience at Drew?
I found the courses at Drew University to be quite challenging. This was likely due to my decision to switch majors, which left me lacking foundational knowledge in certain areas. As a result, I had to put in extra time and effort to supplement my studies. I was determined to maintain a high GPA, so I studied diligently and ultimately graduated with a GPA of 3.97.
During my two years at Drew, I was fully involved in intense studies that made a lasting impression. The courses were challenging, and I was also working towards obtaining several certifications for a career in finance. In my final semester, Professor Firestone introduced a new course to help us prepare for the SIE [Securities Industry Essentials] Certification and learn about relevant financial products. I was determined to earn the certifications before graduation, so I devoted extra time to this endeavor. It was crucial for me as it was the first step towards entering the finance industry.
I want to express my gratitude to Professor Firestone for his continued support in my career and to Professor John Nolan for sparking my interest in portfolio management with his excellent teaching.
Tell us about your position at Helport.
I am a business analyst at Helport. Since the company is a new startup, I also work in the operations department. My primary responsibilities include developing new client relationships, leading an ongoing project as the project manager, and assisting the CFO with mergers and acquisitions.
