Class of 2024: Finance major Christopher Bagenda becomes bankable talent – VCU News

Written by Leila Ugincius

Until last summer, Christopher Bagenda's only jobs were at a grocery store and at the gym. However, he had begun an internship in New York City with global financial giant Citi.

“I came in knowing absolutely nothing,” said the Virginia Commonwealth University finance major. “I was very nervous for the first few days.”

Moreover, most of the 30 bank interns were from Ivy League schools.

“I have some very talented people around me who are presidents of their school's investment clubs. It’s like school,” Bagyenda said. “I was the only one there who had to explain, 'Why Virginia Commonwealth University?'” What was Richmond and all that. That made me feel a little uneasy. ”

now? There aren't that many. Bagenda, who still works at the Cary Street Gym, was so impressed with his coaches that he was offered a full-time job upon graduation this May. This is an impressive next destination on your global journey.

Bagenda and his family immigrated to the United States from Uganda in 2010 when he was about 7 years old. He lived in Northern Virginia until coming to his VCU. He considered studying psychology and then economics because he liked “markets, money, and how it all works together,” he said.

But Bagenda became more interested in how people interact with money, how wealth can be accumulated, and how money can be used to benefit people. became. He took a finance class during his sophomore year and further explored personal finance and started investing more.

“And I just fell in love with it,” Bagenda said. “And I really just wanted to do it because I found the most joy in it.”

One class in particular is a business development course taught by Dr. Katybeth Lee. – cemented his new career path. This helped him refine various aspects of his professional presentation, from his appearance and resume to his interview skills and elevator pitch.

“If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here right now,” Bagyenda said. “After taking her class, I became a more astute person in terms of expressing myself.”

The course also gave me the confidence to apply for internships at City and support from the Kevin Nicholson Internship Fund. Mr. Nicholson, a VCU alumnus and leader of his Riverfront investment group, established this fund to help students cover costs associated with internships.

“I didn't know how I was going to be able to afford a down payment on a temporary apartment,” Bagenda said of moving to New York City. “I needed new clothes. Financially, things were a little tough.”

With a firm foothold there, Bagenda focused on his work. He had arrived before 8 a.m., more than an hour ahead of the other interns. “I was always one of the last ones to leave because I wanted to take on more work. … I tried to take on the more complex tasks that the coach would pass on to his first-year students.”

The internship gave Mr. Bagenda deep insight into corporate structures and financial systems, and upon returning to Richmond, he began an internship with Senator Mark Warner, who serves on the Senate Finance and Budget Committees. Bagenda's work primarily involves casework, helping fellow Virginians with matters involving federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

He says he enjoys advocating for others, saying, “It allows me to help people who are in dire need of assistance, not necessarily money,” and looks forward to advancing his career after graduation. I'm doing it.

Bagenda said she is grateful that VCU has provided an environment where she can explore and find her passion. His advice? Don't be afraid to try new things. He will continue to do so even as he returns to familiar ground at City.