Creating opportunities to practice real-world financial skills at Dallas College
Bloomberg Professional Services
As the financial industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, preparing for a career in finance requires more than just theoretical knowledge. It’s essential to learn new ways to apply technology and practical skills long before graduation.
Dallas College is working to meet this need with Bloomberg. By integrating Bloomberg Terminals into its curriculum, the college is providing students with real-world skills and knowledge that are highly valued in the financial industry.
This initiative has enhanced the educational experience for students while also positioning Dallas College as a leader in teaching innovation.
Bridging theory and practice
Legislative changes and funding opportunities drove Dallas College’s strategic decision to incorporate Bloomberg Terminals into its curriculum. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dallas College was awarded Title V grant funds in Spring 2023 aimed at enhancing financial literacy in its Latinx student population. Concurrently, the state of Texas introduced a funding model that shifted from enrollment-based to completion- and success-based metrics.
“Much of our success is measured through certificate completion, as well as job placement and university transfer,” said Kevin Wortley, Academic Dean at Dallas College. Wortley recognized the Bloomberg Terminal’s potential to meet these challenges, with the grant incentivizing faculty to integrate Bloomberg into courses such as economics, accounting, and business technology.
Implementation started with The Bloomberg Terminal on Campus on the Richland Campus, equipped with 12 Terminals. The college also used HEERF (Covid-relief) grant funds to purchase video-conferencing equipment for all six Bloomberg Terminal on Campus spaces, increasing access for students at all campuses.
“Over time, we have been able to train student workers to help their classmates access the Terminals,” Wortley said, “and Todd Senick, our Bloomberg Terminal on Campus Manager, travels around the campuses holding group trainings and seminars.”
The initiative has proven successful. The college awarded 444 Bloomberg certificates in 2023 and expects to nearly double that in 2024. These certificates enhance students’ resumes and increase the college’s funding through state reimbursements.
Empowering students with market-ready skills
The integration of Bloomberg Terminals in the classroom has had a profound impact on students, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge integral to success in the financial industry.
Olukanyinsola (Olu) Ajayi, a student who transferred from Dallas College to the University of Texas at Austin, recalls how surprised he was at the accessibility and ease-of-use of the Terminal. His exposure to real time financial news, market data and analytical tools on the Terminal helped him thrive in various academic projects and competitions. This experience was crucial in boosting his application to and ultimately securing a highly competitive Wall Street internship. “Having access to the Terminal in college has been extremely beneficial to my career in finance,” Ajayi explains. “It allowed me to strengthen my background knowledge of investing and make a positive impression when networking with finance professionals and recruiters.”
Nada Iqbal, a former Dallas College student who went on to earn a B.S. in economics from the University of Texas at Dallas and now works in banking, also describes her experience with the Bloomberg Terminal as pivotal in her academic and professional life. Initially introduced to the Terminal in a finance club competition, she quickly realized its potential to deepen her understanding of financial markets.
“Having access to the Terminal gave me an edge in the sense that I just ended up understanding equities, fixed income and even economic indicators and how all of these come together better than I would in a regular classroom experience,” Nada says. “Furthermore, the Terminal provided access to certificate programs that have been great additions to my resume and has made me more attractive to potential employers.”
The role of the Bloomberg Investment Incubator
One notable aspect of Dallas College’s initiative is the establishment of a Bloomberg Investment Incubator, which plays a crucial role in fostering a community of practice around financial education. The Incubator, a program where students engage on relevant topics on the market and the economy, encourages students to engage deeply with the Bloomberg Terminals and pursue the Bloomberg Market Concepts certificate. Every month the Incubator hosts a student investment competition that allows students to stress-test their know-how and get feedback.
Nada described the Incubator’s impact: “The Bloomberg Investment Incubator has been instrumental in helping us understand the practical applications of what we learn in class. It creates a collaborative environment where we can discuss market trends, share insights, and prepare for careers in finance together.”
An eye on expansion
Dallas College plans to further expand the use of Bloomberg Terminals by incorporating them into additional courses and campuses. The college is committed to continue funding faculty stipends to integrate Bloomberg into their coursework, recognizing the significant value it brings to students. “We serve more than 100,000 students each year across our credit and non-credit programs, and there is a huge capacity for growth,” Wortley stated.
One exciting development is the college’s exploration of Bloomberg’s Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Investing certificate. Wortley is currently in talks with the Dallas Mavericks about a potential internship program focused on sustainability. If realized, this program would include the ESG certificate as a core component, providing students with cutting-edge skills in sustainable investing.
Additionally, Dallas College is exploring opportunities to collaborate with large corporations that use Bloomberg Terminals. These partnerships could offer employees the opportunity to train on the Terminals at Dallas, alleviating the pressure on corporate resources and providing a more conducive learning environment. “There is always a log-jammed bottleneck for use of their Terminals. Because of heavy usage, new employees don’t really have an opportunity to train on them. So there is a big opportunity for Dallas College to train employees on our Bloomberg Terminals,” Wortley said.
Dallas College’s innovative use of Bloomberg Terminals sets an inspiring example, equipping students with skills needed in today’s financial landscape. Success stories of students like Olu and Nada illustrate the initiative’s impact, creating a framework that bridges the gap between knowledge and application.
Learn more about Bloomberg for Education
The Bloomberg Terminal on Campus immerses students in the dynamic environment of financial markets, where they can interact with real-time data, apply complex financial theories to real-world scenarios, and develop hands-on skills essential for high-stakes trading and investment decisions.
For educators looking to elevate their financial programs, introducing Bloomberg’s cutting-edge tools into their institutions is an essential first step. University and high school faculty can get started by requesting a demo of the Terminal.