Earlier this semester, four members of the Bulldog Student Investment Fund (BSIF) had the opportunity to represent Truman State University at the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium (SMIFC) in Chicago, Illinois. The SMIFC conference brings together students and faculty advisors from universities across the nation to share insights, strategies, and best practices in managing real investment portfolios.
Over the course of two days, our team participated in a series of keynote sessions, workshops, and networking events led by industry professionals from leading firms in finance, investment management, and consulting. Topics included macroeconomic forecasting, portfolio risk management, behavioral finance, and ethical decision-making in investment strategy.
Attending SMIFC was more than just a chance to present our fund — it was an invaluable learning experience. Our members gained exposure to diverse perspectives on asset allocation, emerging market trends, and sustainable investing. The conference also highlighted the importance of aligning portfolio strategy with long-term fundamentals rather than short-term market fluctuations.
Beyond the educational sessions, SMIFC gave our members the chance to connect with peers from other universities, strengthening our professional network and expanding our understanding of how different funds operate. These interactions inspired new ideas for improving our own research process, performance tracking, and sector allocation within BSIF.
The experience reaffirmed BSIF’s commitment to providing real-world investment experience to Truman students. We’re proud to bring back the insights we gained and use them to refine our fund’s strategy and continue developing as future leaders in finance and investment
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