During his senior year in college, Drew DeHaven realized he wanted to be involved in a career related to renewable energy or sustainability. That led him to finance.

As the Atlanta native explains it, “I knew that finance was the route that offered me the highest ceiling, both in regard to impact and in regard to personal success, so I decided to pursue an MSF degree.”

Vanderbilt quickly rose to the top of Drew’s list. “The Owen School and the MSF program’s reputation were a big pull,” he says. “The Owen network’s size and reach also were huge selling points, especially for someone coming from a small liberal arts university. During my interview process, the MSF program seemed like it was the most put-together and professional relative to the other programs I applied to. And Nashville is a great city.”

The experience was even better than he had hoped. Drew credits the Career Management Center with specific advice that helped him secure an offer from SolRiver Capital (a fund focused on solar energy projects), where he began his career after graduation. He credits alumni with a consistent willingness to talk with him, share insights, and open doors to contacts for potential jobs and internships.

“I have learned the technical skills and gained a business acumen that will let me succeed in my intended career,” Drew says in retrospect. “I have also gained access to an excellent network that will help me for life. At the end of the day, my classmates really made the program feel worth it more than anything else. I have made great friends who I will certainly keep in touch with, and we will all prove to be excellent career contacts for each other in the future.”

Fun Fact: Drew relaxes by drawing and playing pickleball.

I knew that finance was the route that offered me the highest ceiling, both in regard to impact and in regard to personal success.