Supportive Smith Network Inspires Alumnus to “Uplift” Current Students

Renard Brumfield, MBA ’22, studied finance during his time at Smith and is currently a Finance Business Manager with JPMorgan Chase. Brumfield credits his Smith network for helping him get to where he is today and he pays it forward by engaging with the Smith community and mentoring current students.

Why did you choose the Robert H. Smith School of Business? 

During the pandemic, I wanted to attend a large school with resources, but wanted to stay close to the Washington, D.C., metro area. Smith offered resources both for my career and financially to allow me to attend. Scholarship and fellowship opportunities drove my decision.

Is there something about your professional journey that people would find surprising? 

I mostly wanted to transition from government/politics to finance/banking, although I studied finance in undergrad.

Tell us about your path from graduation to your current job. 

My path stemmed from my internship opportunity in which I took extremely seriously. The passion for growing my knowledge and lending a helping hand proved to be very valuable for me, which was highlighted during my full-time offer conversation.

What Smith resources or relationships did you leverage for your career? 

Leaning on my Smith network introduced me to my current employer, which in turn always motivates me to uplift current Smith students for any tips or advice. Also, utilizing the professional development resources from Smith, such as resume building, mock interviews, and other guidance for career mobility.

How has your Smith education helped you with your professional career? 

Were there specific classes, experiential projects, team projects, or internships that have been especially helpful to you? I enjoyed several courses at Smith, but the one that sticks out the most was the Mayer Fund. Professor Kroncke prepared our class for success in the real world of finance and also general professionalism. Shout-out to her, one of my favorite professors of all time.

What about your personal journey has led to your success? 

Being internally motivated has always been a gift for me, but that grew stronger when my father passed away in 2020. I turned the pain of losing him into fuel to be the best version of myself moving forward. Which then did not surprise me that my first day of class at Smith was on his birthday. I knew then that I was on the right path.