As a student of Auburn University, Juan Castano wastes no time utilizing the ways in which he spends his time on campus. A senior in finance, Castano has been the president of two organizations, served as a student development coordinator and has successfully completed two internships. With a wide range of extracurriculars under his belt, Castano plans to capitalize on these experiences as he enters the professional world.
During his freshman year, Castano decided to look through the Auburn GLOM to familiarize himself with the various clubs and resources available. After identifying the ones that suited him best, he contacted the necessary people to join. With his impressive amount of work experience, Castano was quickly named president of the investment club. Here, he leads students in a small team setting, as they work on a variety of investment strategies. Advisors and speakers coordinate with Castano to support a vision for the meetings. This will be his fourth year managing the club.
In the summer of his sophomore year, Castano landed his first internship at Summit Wealth Partners. The Summit firm gave him a real understanding of how money is cycled. College funds, retirement and net worth analysis encompass just a few of Castano’s focuses. Other duties consisted of breaking down clientele into assorted units, allowing portfolio needs to be met for a desired return.
In his junior year, Castano became president of the Executive Society, a student host and leadership organization in the College of Business. Members of this assembly help welcome donors, alumni and guests when they come to visit. They also help guide incoming high-school seniors as they answer questions and provide tours of the college. Castano has worked on numerous events with the dean to ensure guests receive the hospitality and respect they deserve. Another goal is to inform the donors of what the College of Business is doing from a student’s perspective.
Prior to his senior year, Castano spent the summer interning at Morgan Stanley in New York. This internship allowed him to analyze bonds in the capital market while trading fixed income. In the future, Castano aims to secure another internship dealing with financial services or wealth management. Preferably the firm would be one that’s client-centered.
After applying and interviewing for the program Tigers on Wall Street this year, Castano became one of several selected by the Office of Career and Development. The program sends highly-motivated undergraduate and grad students to New York to visit with financial firms. These firms are special as they are administered by Auburn alumni. The students spend four days networking at large banks and reception events. Castano stated, “The interaction was valuable as it answered questions outside of an ordinary information session.”
Aside from his dedication to the field of finance, Castano enjoys attending Auburn sporting events throughout the various seasons. Socially, he forms connections and relationships inside his active fraternity. He also volunteers at the Southeastern Raptor Center, primarily working in the rehabilitation section. The ability to balance both his personal and academic life, has in Castano’s eyes, been one of his greatest accomplishments. “You can have it all, but you have to work hard to have it all,” said Castano. “It doesn’t just fall into your lap,” he adds.
Castano credits the Auburn culture for influencing him the most as a student. The opportunities and accessible counsel students are presented with, is unparalleled. Castano encourages everyone to go above and beyond assigned expectations. “Students don’t place enough importance on getting involved because it’s frivolous. Yes it will take up time, but it will also set you apart,” said Castano. “People will look at you in a different way because you’re not just doing what’s asked of you. You’re actually doing something you’re passionate about,” he further cites.
The leadership roles Castano has committed himself to are the types of qualities employers seek. Soft skills acquired beyond the classroom become instinctive and automatic. Five years from now, he anticipates to work as an analyst at a bank. Ideally, he would then move up to an associate or executive director level. Big cities in California and New York appeal to Castano, but factors based off of company demand will ultimately determine his location.