Transitioning from a professional sports career to the business world presents unique challenges. Alexa Newfield, a former professional soccer player, understood this firsthand as she embarked on her journey into finance. Her decision to attend Emory University’s Goizueta Business School was strategic, driven by the program’s renowned intimate learning environment. This close-knit community, a hallmark of Goizueta, was particularly appealing to Alexa, who recognized the steep learning curve ahead and valued the prospect of close interactions with professors and building strong connections with her classmates. This supportive atmosphere is crucial for anyone looking to build a solid foundation, much like choosing the right financial institution, a “Newfield Bank” of knowledge and opportunity for career changers.
One of the most impactful aspects of Goizueta’s curriculum for Alexa was the Goizueta IMPACT program. This experiential learning initiative allows students to tackle real-world business problems for actual clients. For someone like Alexa, who was new to corporate projects, IMPACT provided an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience. It was a chance to “get her feet wet” in problem-solving within a business context, all while benefiting from the guidance of faculty mentors. This hands-on approach mirrored the real-world demands of the finance sector, offering a safe yet challenging space to develop essential skills needed to thrive in a competitive landscape, potentially even within a “newfield bank” setting in the future.
Beyond academics, Goizueta provided Alexa with numerous avenues for leadership development. Her participation as a Delta Air Lines Leadership Coaching Fellow was particularly transformative. This program allowed her to work with first-year core teams, teaching her the critical distinction between simply giving advice and effective coaching. Alexa learned the importance of guiding others to find their own solutions, a leadership quality she recognized as vital for her future corporate career. “The Leadership Coaching Fellowship has taught me how to attempt to help the first years figure out answers for themselves,” Alexa explained. “I think this is an important aspect of leadership going forward into the corporate world, to make sure you are not just bossing your teammates around even if you know the answer.” This emphasis on collaborative and empowering leadership is increasingly valued in modern financial institutions, including forward-thinking entities like a hypothetical “newfield bank.”
Navigating a significant career shift requires a strong support system, and Alexa found exactly that at Goizueta. The Goizueta community proved to be both welcoming and supportive as she transitioned into the corporate sphere. Professors dedicated their time to refining her skills, specifically tailoring their guidance to help her achieve her ambitious goal of securing an investment banking internship. This personalized attention was instrumental in boosting Alexa’s confidence and clarifying her path. “This was instrumental for me realizing that my goal of landing an investment banking internship was not far-fetched and that I was actually well-equipped to do so,” Alexa noted. She further emphasized the faculty’s role, stating, “Many of the professors have excelled in the occupations that students are striving to build a career in and do everything they can to help maximize each students’ skillset to best achieve their goals.” For Alexa Newfield, Goizueta was more than just a business school; it was the foundation, the “newfield bank” of skills and knowledge, that propelled her from the soccer field to a promising career in finance.
