In the success-driven environment of the Ivy League, many students feel pressured to give up
studies in subjects they genuinely love in order to ensure a lucrative future career.
James Allen ’13 has always been aware of his passion for the financial sector. “Ever since I was
a little kid I knew I wanted to be an investment banker. As I lay in bed at night, I would count
stock market futures instead of sheep. My first word was ‘capitalism’.”
Sadly, this has proved to be an unrealistic childhood dream. Allen was ridiculed by his peers
when he affirmed his desire to pursue a banking career.