The banking industry is very competitive, and to get ahead, you need to do well in school and also get experience working in the real world early on.
Students who want to work on Wall Street or in corporate finance usually have to do a lot of hard work in school, do strategic internships, and take on leading roles in student-run groups.
Adison Gladfelter (also known as Adison Gladfeder) is a student who is doing very well in this difficult environment right now.
Adison is the next generation of financial analysts. She is driven, analytical, and very active in the practical side of market research.
She is currently getting her Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Brigham Young University (BYU).
The guide talks about her life story, her time at the prestigious Marriott School of Business, and the impressive job milestones she has already reached as an undergraduate.
This story is helpful for anyone wanting to build a strong job, whether they are a student looking for a way to succeed or a professional interested in up-and-coming talen.
Early Life and Educational Background
Building a strong base is the first step on any career path. For Adison Gladfelter, that base was set in Pennsylvania before she moved to Utah across the country.
From Pennsylvania to Provo
Adison’s first school was Waynesboro Area Senior High School, from which she finished in 2022.
She briefly went to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto after high school. This early experience with college probably set the stage for her eventual switch to a more specialized finance school.
Thriving at the Marriott School of Business
Adison moved to Provo, Utah, in 2023 to get a Bachelor of Science in Finance at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University.
It is known for its tough curriculum and focus on ethical leadership, which is why the Marriott School is regularly ranked as one of the best business schools in the country.
Adison has become very involved in the academic society since she plans to graduate in 2027.
Besides her regular schoolwork, she has also become a Teaching Assistant, a job that requires her to know a lot about the subject and be able to help other students.
This job not only shows how smart she is, but also how willing she is to help make the university a better place to learn.
Career Overview: Building a Professional Portfolio
A lot of college students wait until their junior or senior year to get real work experience. Adison, on the other hand, has been actively looking for jobs since she started college. From internships to analytical jobs, her resume shows a steady rise.
Her work history shows that she has mainly been involved with finance, especially stock research, market analysis, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Her portfolio is on par with that of many recent college graduates because she balances work responsibilities with schoolwork.
Detailed Career Highlights
Adison has worked for a number of different companies, and each one has given her a new set of skills to add to her growing list.
Incoming Summer Analyst at Solomon Partners
The fact that she has been accepted as an Incoming Summer Analyst at Solomon Partners (formerly Peter J.
Solomon Company) for 2025 may be the most important event in her career. Solomon Partners is one of the best investment banking consulting firms, and it’s very hard to get a job there.
Deep dives into financial modeling, valuation, and live deal execution are likely to be part of this job. This will give you invaluable experience with high-level investment banking.
Market Research Analyst at Platinum Bridge M&A Advisors
She has been a Market Research Analyst at Platinum Bridge M&A Advisors since the beginning of 2025. As this person, she is in charge of knowing markets and doing her research. For jobs like this, experts usually need to:
- Analyze industry trends and competitive landscapes.
- Prepare detailed reports that support M&A transactions.
- Identify potential buy-side or sell-side targets for clients.
Leadership at Brigham Capital
Adison has had many jobs at Brigham Capital. He started as an Equity Research Analyst and worked his way up to become a Senior Equity Research Analyst and then a Sector Lead.
This progression shows that you can trust each other and work well. As a Sector Lead, she would be in charge of a certain part of the market, giving advice to other analysts, and coming up with financial thesis.
This experience is set up like an institutional asset management company, giving you a “sandbox” to try out investment strategies that will work in the real world.
The BYU Silver Fund
As an Equity Research Analyst for the BYU Silver Fund, she shows her dedication to real-world application even more.
For finance majors, student-run funds like the Silver Fund are very important because they let students handle real (or fake) portfolios, pitch stocks, and defend their investment choices in front of experienced professors and business mentors.
Skills and Expertise
Adison Gladfelter has learned a lot of useful technical and soft skills through her many different jobs in the banking industry today.
Financial Modeling and Valuation
For her jobs as a stock researcher and an M&A advisor, she needs to be very good at financial modeling.
This includes making Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models, comparing companies, and looking at past transactions to figure out how much assets or businesses are worth.
Market Research and Due Diligence
The bigger market is what Platinum Bridge is all about. To test business ideas, this set of skills includes looking at financial statements, industry reports, and the news.
You need to pay close attention to details and be able to turn large amounts of data into ideas that can be used.
Leadership and Mentorship
Adison has shown that she can be a leader as a Teaching Assistant and a Sector Lead. Technical skills are important in finance, but the ability to lead teams and explain complicated ideas clearly is often what sets analysts apart from people who will become managing directors.
Insights from a Rising Path
While we don’t have direct quotes from Adison for this article, her career path offers implicit advice for aspiring finance professionals.
1. Start Early: Adison didn’t wait for graduation to start working. Gaining experience as a sophomore or junior is crucial for landing competitive roles later.
2. Leverage Student Organizations: Joining groups like Brigham Capital or the Silver Fund provides practical experience that classrooms cannot replicate.
3. Diversify Experience: From wealth management (Sterling Financial Management) to M&A (Platinum Bridge) and investment banking (Solomon Partners), exploring different niches helps students find their true fit in the finance ecosystem.
Conclusion
Adison Gladfelter’s journey from Pennsylvania to BYU’s tough finance program is a great example of how to take charge of your job.
By doing well in school and having a wide range of work experience, from equity research to investment banking, she is making herself a good candidate in the financial service industry.
Adison’s profile shows how important it is to get involved early, keep learning, and try to get practical experience along with academic study for both her peers and potential employers.
As the date of her graduation in 2027 draws near, she is a name to keep an eye on in the business world.
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