From Oberlin College to Goldman Sachs, financial economics major supports communities across the world

"Watching my dad help small businesses by issuing loans that fueled their growth was inspiring. It showed me firsthand how financial resources could uplift communities," Mayanka recalls. This early exposure sparked his dream of working in investment banking, where he could help large corporations navigate complex transactions and provide strategic advice to create value not only for the firm but also for the broader economy.

Mayanka’s journey at Oberlin College solidified his path toward this goal. As a member of the  Oberlin Finance Club, he progressed through various leadership roles, honing his business analysis, financial modeling, and investment research skills. "The Finance Club was where I really started to build my foundation. Leading investment pitches and conducting market analysis helped me realize how much I enjoyed the work," he says. These experiences, coupled with classes like Principles of Finance with M. Udara Peiris and Money and Banking with John Duca, laid the groundwork for his deeper exploration into finance.

Mayanka’s winter term in Nepal spent working in private equity deepened his understanding of the industry, as did his internships at EY-Parthenon and Dolma Impact Fund. At EY-Parthenon,  he contributed to a live sell-side deal, gaining hands-on experience in strategy and transaction advisory. At Dolma Impact Fund, he focused on impact investing through private equity, sharpening his analytical skills and enhancing his understanding of how private equity firms drive value through sustainable investments.

"Both experiences showed me the potential of private equity to create meaningful change, especially when it’s tied to ESG [Environmental, Social, and Governance] goals," Mayanka explains. Oberlin’s unique opportunities also played a critical role in his educational development. As an Ashby Business Scholar, he engaged with alumni and gained invaluable insights into the world of business and finance. His private reading in financial modeling with Professor Peiris and his study abroad at Oxford – where he participated in and won a Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) competition – further built his confidence and technical expertise.

"Winning that M&A competition at Oxford was a turning point. It gave me the confidence that I could thrive in this field," he reflects. Oberlin’s resources, including access to the Bloomberg Terminal and The Wall Street Journal, allowed him to follow the markets closely, refine his investment theses, and complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts certification.

Mayanka’s summer internship at Bank of America in Debt Capital Markets gave him hands-on exposure to macroeconomic drivers like inflation and interest rates, reinforcing the connection between his economics coursework and practical finance.

"That internship was where everything I had learned came together,” he says. “Understanding the economy’s key drivers and seeing them play out in real-time in the markets was invaluable.” Through all these experiences, Oberlin helped him bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering the platform and resources to turn his dream into reality.

As a member of the first cohort of Oberlin’s new financial economics major, Mayanka is grateful for the path he carved for himself. He credits Oberlin’s blend of economics and finance with providing him the foundation necessary for his future career. "Oberlin gave me the freedom to find my way in finance, and now, with the new financial economics major,  I’m excited for future students to have a more structured path."

Starting as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs, Mayanka sees his Oberlin journey as a testament to how ambition, determination, and the right support can achieve even the biggest dreams.