The HPS Center for Financial Excellence at Howard University School of Business aims to secure above-average finance roles for its graduates within the next four to five years. Research shows a lack of representation for Black students in high-paying roles, with only 0.5% of senior investment bankers being Black.

Dylan Thomas and Jessica Barnes, recent graduates, are now earning “six-figure” salaries at mega companies near Times Square. Thomas works as an investment banking analyst at Barclays, thanks to mentorship and experience from HPS-CFE. The center received a $10 million gift to further support students in the financial services industry.

Barnes, starting as an enterprise strategy and value associate at Strategy&, credits CFE for enhancing her skills and founding the Women in Finance Initiative. Graduates from the program have secured positions at top finance companies, with an average starting salary of $89K. HPS-CFE works with blue-chip companies to boost representation of HBCU graduates in high finance roles.

Despite challenges, HPS-CFE aims to overcome industry perceptions of HBCU graduates and place more students in elevated finance roles. Recent success stories include five Howard students winning $1 million for the school in a Goldman Sachs competition. Barnes advises students to strive for excellence and gain knowledge to succeed in the financial services industry.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Howard University Steps Up To Place Its Graduates In Lucrative Finance Careers