Jennifer Wong W'98

What did you study at Penn and when did you graduate? 

I studied Finance and Information Systems at Wharton and graduated in 1998.

When you were at Penn, what were you involved with as an undergraduate?

I was very involved with the Student Credit Union, where I went from a teller my freshman year to Chairman of the board my junior year. I was also involved with the Chinese Students Association, the United Minorities Council, and Wharton Women.

What do you do now and where are you based?

After working as an investment banker in New York City for 12 years, I moved to Connecticut with my family and now work here as a consultant, mostly with local not-for-profits. 

How do you feel Penn prepared you for your career?

The relationships I formed at Penn and connecting with people who have different talents were the most exciting parts. Additionally, the professors at Penn not only taught me finance, but their courses were forward-looking and applicable to so many things I do. Even though the world has changed since I graduated, Penn prepared me to think and adapt to what is next. 

What advice do you wish you had known when you were an undergraduate?

When I think back to professors who influenced me, I wish I had more conversations with them and not just focused on grades and exams. Even now, there is so much I wish I had had the time to ask them. I also wish I did more outside of the main things that I thought were relevant to my job. Part of being relevant in the future is being knowledgeable about something you are passionate about. 

I encourage students to take classes outside of Wharton, explore beyond your discipline, make time to get to know your professors, and take advantage of anything that seems interesting, like studying abroad. Penn has so much to offer! 

What advice do you have for our members as they begin exploring careers and internships? 

Throughout the interview process, make sure the people you meet are people you respect and can have good conversations with, and that they respect you and appreciate your talents. Also, get to understand what growth opportunities exist at the company. Lastly, doing something you care about is how you form a long-standing career. Twelve years in investment banking passed by quickly because I loved what I did. It is not meant to be fun (it is work) but it should be interesting to you. 

What has been your proudest accomplishment of your career?

Helping form our financial institutions group at Houlihan Lokey. We transferred a team from the bank I worked at previously to form this group, and had to integrate ourselves into a bigger bank and prove our expertise in the area. It would have been easy to stay where we were, but we saw an interesting opportunity that would be good for the market and for bankers. It was a high-risk proposition, and I am proud of us for undertaking it together. 

How has being a woman affected your career trajectory, if it has?

I was lucky to work alongside men who respected what I brought to the table and treated me as an equal. Clients were different! I felt the need to prove that I could do just as well if not better than the men they were considering. As a result, I chose who I worked with carefully and often worked harder for clients. The other way it has affected me is that I feel the desire to give younger women opportunities and make sure they feel they should be proactive. Don’t hang back if you’re not the first one to be picked! Speak up and show that you can do it.

I see change in the industry, with a lot more networking among women, more mentorship, and more ability for women to make their voices heard. It takes time to change how people think, but the workplace needs to be set up to reward good work.

What’s your favorite thing to do for fun?

I love getting outside! I love hiking, running, beach-going, walks, etc. Music is also a big part of my life.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been?

Mauritius, the island where my mother’s family is from. It is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places on earth with lots of outdoor activities. I also find New England’s four seasons make it such a fun and cozy place.