Sometimes, the simplest inquiry can lead the mind deeper, exploring realities beyond the initial progression of numbers and logic.

Husnain Ali ’‘24 has always been fascinated with business and corporations. He originally imagined himself crunching them as a Finance major when he started looking for a college as a high school senior. Guilford does not offer a Finance major, but the more Husnain looked into the College, the more he became intrigued with its Economics program.

Now that graduation draws near, Husnain finds himself on a trajectory he never imagined growing up in Pakistan. Six years ago, Husnain and his family arrived in America unable to speak English. These days, his English is impressive as is his growing resume. He wants to earn a masters and ultimately pursue a career in investment banking with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.

Looking back, Husnain says Guilford was a logical part of his college search equation. Because his parents do not speak English, he wanted to stay close to his family in High Point, N.C. Nearby Guilford, he says, allowed him to do just that while at the same time offering an affordable, high-quality education.

“Guilford was one of my best decisions,” says Husnain, who wants to work on Wall Street after earning his MBA. “It’s been the perfect fit. I’m not sure if I would have had the same opportunity to learn from so many great professors, study Economics and take part in so many clubs and activities somewhere else.”

Like his peers, Husnain’s first year at Guilford was spent online because of the pandemic. In 2021, when in-person classes returned, he wasted little time getting to know his classmates in person. He joined several Guilford clubs, including Market Minds, a club that leads discussions on economics, financial markets, personal financing, and career development.

He’s president of the club this year, and helped secure a partnership with a New York-based nonprofit that will provide mentorship and training to club members looking to break into finance and consulting.

Husnain is also part of the College’s Federal Reserve Challenge Team that learns about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking and the role of the Federal Reserve System and competes against other colleges in an annual nationwide tournament sponsored by the Federal Reserve.

Those clubs and the College’s close-knit environment have resonated with Husnain. “Guilford has always been a very welcoming school with a welcoming community, especially in the Economics and accounting (departments),” he says. “The faculty really want you to learn and succeed and make an effort to go above and beyond to help you out in any way possible. The faculty took me in, taught me about economics and gave me the passion for macroeconomics specifically.”

Husnain has put that passion to work. He interned as an asset management analyst at RMB Capital in Chicago in 2022. This summer he interned for TD Securities in New York as a investment banking global markets credit analyst.

Professor of Economics Natalya Shelkova has been Husnain’s advisor the past two years and a faculty advisor to Market Minds. “Husnain is full of ideas, energy, and initiative,” Natalya says. “Guilford is fortunate to have him and look forward to observing his growing career once he graduates.”

About that future: Husnain is excited too. “I’m grateful for Guilford’s role in making that happen,” he says. “Guilford gives you the essential business skills that you need to succeed in the professional world whether that's education or presentation skills. When I go out in the world and work in a professional job, especially one in finance, I’ll be ready. That’s because of Guilford.”