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The McCombs School of Business 2005-06 Investors' Report is now available online. Visit the home page to view the 2005-06 donors and financial information.
Alum Suggests Taking Full Advantage of McCombs’ Offerings
Chris Ericson,
BBA ’05
Classes officially begin for the fall semester on August 29. For incoming freshmen this means new dorms, new books, new student IDs and new roommates. Chris Ericson, BBA ’05, has a few words of advice for the nearly 1,400 freshmen and transfer students who will enter McCombs and learn to navigate the UT campus.
“Take as many classes, as many electives and get involved with as many organizations as possible.”
Ericson should know. Like many ambitious McCombs grads, he was active in numerous student organizations and credits that involvement with helping him to plan his future. Through participating in organizations like the Financial Analyst Program, the University Finance Association, the University Investors Association, and the Texas Investment Banking Association, Ericson discovered his true interests. Early in his undergrad career, he focused on asset management, but by graduation Ericson felt his skills were better suited to investment banking, which he discovered through three internships and his involvement in various activities.
“It’s important to really get involved with student organizations and not just attend meetings,” says Ericson, “but serve as officers, socialize with other members, talk to seniors in the organizations, and take opportunities to talk to corporate speakers when they visit.”
Ericson notes mentoring and networking as skills that develop while at McCombs. As an underclassman he looked up to older students who served as officers for the organizations in which he participated and felt an obligation to mentor students below him when he served in senior roles. Socializing and networking through student organizations also helped Ericson land his current job.
While interning with Lehman Brothers in Houston, Ericson decided to trade in breakfast tacos for bagels, and make a move to New York City. He learned of a position with Credit Suisse from a friend at McCombs, and currently is a second-year analyst with the company. He works with media and telecommunications companies, helping to arrange financing and provide them with strategic advice regarding buying or selling assets.
Ericson says New York is definitely different than Austin, or anywhere in Texas. He foresees himself returning to Texas eventually, but for now is looking forward taking full advantage of his McCombs degree and pursuing more opportunities in the investment management industry.
Hire McCombs Alumni through the McCombs Job Board
Search for a job or promote employment opportunities to both current students and alumni of the McCombs School of Business.
Both the Alumni Directory and the McCombs Job Board are accessible through your UT EID (University of Texas Electronic Identification). Click here for more information on finding your UT EID, or contact the Registrar's office at 512-475-7656.
If you have any questions, please email us and refer to "Alumni Directory" or "McCombs Job Board" in the subject and content of your message. | 
Murray to Succeed Anderson as UPO Associate Dean; Anderson Becomes Accounting Chair
Six faculty members were chosen for the 2007 Faculty Honor Roll. The winners were selected based on results from an undergraduate student survey, which takes place each semester. Congratulations to the following: Kathleen Edwards (left), management lecturer; Frenkel Ter Hofstede, marketing associate professor; Prabhudev Konana, IROM associate professor; Brian Lendecky, accounting lecturer; Elota Patton, IROM lecturer; and William Way, finance lecturer and undergraduate advisor. 
When corporate executives provide even small favors to security analysts, it can pay off in positive research coverage of their companies, according to a study co-authored by Michael Clement, associate professor of accounting. In the study, the authors examined surveys from security analysts from 2000 to 2003, in which 63 percent said they received favors from CEOs and CFOs. Analyzing the data, the authors concluded that the favors often dissuaded analysts from downgrading a company’s stock after an underwhelming earnings report or an acquisition of another firm in a different line of business “The bottom line is that favor-rendering is widespread and that it seems to be compromising the guidance experts provide to investors,” Clement said. The favors were not illegal, “not as blatant as bribery,” he added, and policing it would be difficult. There is no simple solution, Clement said, but “our findings suggest that it deserves to be taken seriously.” Read more in 
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Last Updated
Wednesday, July 23, 2008