On Thursday, October 3, Blair students had the opportunity to connect with alum Andrew Schmeelk ’04, who enthralled Blair's young minds with insights from his finance background and experience in capital management. The event marked the official kickoff of Alumni Roundtables, a series that brings graduates from a wide range of industries back to campus to share their professional and life experiences with current students. The first Roundtable session this year took place in history department chair Jason Beck’s classroom, following Blair’s traditional formal-style dinner, and included discussion as well as a lively Q&A. 

Working in capital management for over 20 years, it comes as no surprise that Mr. Schmeelk, who is the managing member of Blackfin Holdings and a senior advisor at Morgan Creek Capital Management, is a man of many numbers. During the well-attended event, the former Buccaneer shared an impressive array of figures tied to his work managing specific accounts and financial investments. For instance, he helped raise $11 million for SpaceX, the renowned spacecraft and satellite communications company built by Elon Musk. Furthermore, during his stint at Morgan Creek Capital Management in North Carolina, he helped deploy between $500-600 million across 30 companies.  Yet, despite these impressive figures, it was the powerful words and insightful advice of the New York native that captivated the young audience. 

“Be open and take chances. Put yourself out there,” shared Mr. Schmeelk early on in the discussion. “If there’s one thing I recommend right after college, it’s to try everything. You’re not going to know what you want to do for the next two, three, four, or 20 years at age 23.” 

While Mr. Schmeelk advised students, especially those interested in finance, to be bold and  pursue larger corporate banks, he admitted that his path was slightly different. Yet, it worked for him. He took the road less traveled by starting at a smaller firm and was able to make a direct impact. “Still, I recommend going to a bigger bank. You’ll meet more people and get more exposure to different sectors, and you’ll be able to have a better sense of where you want to further your career.”

No matter the path, moreover, Mr. Schmeelk highlighted that personal and professional traits went a long way, noting that perseverance and lessons such as “being willing to work for free” helped him win his successes. 

“Being a student doesn't stop. You should always be a sponge and you won't always get everything right,” he advised. 

As the evening drew to a close and more students mustered the courage to ask for advice on how to get their foot in the door after leaving schools such as Blair and college, Mr. Schmeelk eased their concerns and reiterated, “You don’t have to worry as much about your competitors for jobs or internships if you are a well-rounded person with experience. So, enjoy yourself and experience life while making friends. If I were to hire someone with the same grade point averages and scores, I’d want someone who was multi-functionable and accountable.”

Additional Alumni Roundtables are scheduled throughout the school year, offering more opportunities for students to engage with Blair graduates. The next roundtable will take place on November 14, followed by sessions on January 16 and April 10. These events will continue to provide students with insights into a wide range of careers and professional paths, fostering meaningful connections between current students and Blair’s accomplished alumni network.