Discover Anthony Hill’s journey from teaching to finance, a remarkable story of transformation. With the support of TCU Neeley’s MBA program, he’s making a significant career pivot.
Anthony Hill, a first-year MBA student at TCU Neeley School of Business, embodies strategic ambition. From the start, he knew he wanted to work in finance at J.P. Morgan. Less than a year later, he secured an internship with them in their Asset Management division. With a focused plan, a proactive attitude, and the support of TCU Neeley, he was able to make the career pivot he always dreamed of.
However, Anthony’s career path wasn’t always so straightforward. After college, he worked as a customer account service representative at a trucking company. An unexpected turning point came when his grandfather passed away and left him a property.
This inheritance reignited his entrepreneurial spirit. “I always had a goal and dream of being an entrepreneur on my own, so I took that property as an opportunity to start my own business,” Anthony recalls. (00:46)
Anthony became a teacher to support himself while launching his real estate business. To his surprise, teaching turned out to be a perfect fit. He thrived in the education sector and soon became an assistant principal. During this time, he was selected as one of 15 assistant principals to be mentored at TCU for the principalship, which opened the door for him at TCU Neeley.
Anthony says, “As soon as I came on campus, the staff and the faculty welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I was just one of them.” (02:20)
His time on the TCU campus, in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, was truly impactful for Anthony. The MBA program at TCU helped him to develop the skills and experience he needed for the financial sector. The experience and knowledge he gained at TCU empowered him to take the leap and pivot to his dream industry.
The Full-time MBA program at TCU Neeley is marked by rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences. The program offers five concentrations: Corporate Finance, Investments, Marketing Management, Brand Management, and Supply and Value Chain Management. While the core MBA includes introductory finance courses, Anthony chose to take the finance concentration to gain deeper expertise.
“It opened up the doors where I could take Risk Management and Financial Engineering
and some courses that I’m actually applying on my internship,” Anthony says. (02:50)
Though he had yet to gain professional experience in the subject, the professors made the concepts approachable. One professor, in particular, stood out to Anthony.
Anthony notes, “Professor Grant Farnsworth is very hands-on, and he delivers the material in a way that’s easy to digest.” (03:25)
This practical approach has been crucial for Anthony while preparing for his internship. As part of his MBA, he became a Neeley & Associates Consultant and worked on a real-world project for Alcon Surgical.
“It was just a great experience,” he says. “Getting a huge scope project and winding it down and making sure that you’re meeting the client’s needs. That was unlike anything I’ve done in class because this had a lot at stake.” (04:30)
This project involved developing an ESG scorecard for Alcon’s custom surgical packs, a first-of-its-kind initiative. This hands-on project enhanced his project management and leadership skills while providing a tangible contribution to the client.
Anthony’s determination and hard work have paid off, putting him on the path to a career in finance. “I would say TCU and this program has put me on a trajectory almost like exactly what I wanted coming in,” he reflects. (06:43)
His vision for entering the financial sector focused on one company specifically. He had his eyes set on J.P. Morgan. He was impressed by Jamie Dimon’s visionary leadership and J.P. Morgan’s inclusive environment.
For example, the company’s Advancing Black Pathways program helps black professionals advance their careers by funding business investments and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Anthony made a beeline for their booth at the first career event he attended. “I brought my resume and asked them, ‘Would I be a fit coming from the education system?’ And they said, ‘Absolutely!’” Anthony recalls. (08:08)
Anthony had a proactive approach, he attended networking events and took the initiative to connect directly with TCU alumni at J.P. Morgan. His can-do attitude and genuine enthusiasm ultimately secured him an internship with the company’s Asset Management division.
Reflecting on his MBA journey so far, Anthony is unequivocal about the impact of having a plan.
“Make sure you come in with a plan, communicate that with your peers, administrators, and faculty, and they will rally with you to get that achieved,” he advises. (09:55)
Anthony joined the program razor-focused. His long-term goals were clear to him from the beginning. He was set on getting into finance, working with J.P. Morgan, and staying in the Fort Worth community.
Through TCU Neeley’s MBA program, he was able to fulfill his long-term goals and accomplish the significant career pivot from education to finance.
To learn more about how TCU Neeley School of Business can help you achieve your career aspirations, reach out to a TCU student ambassador.
