Lancour finds her footing in the business world at Bona's

Text by Diana McElfresh, '18
Photo by David Yousif, '18

Samantha Lancour became involved with St. Bonaventure University’s Students in Money Management (SIMM) in her sophomore year. The senior finance and accounting major from Hoosick Falls, N.Y., wanted more experience in her preferred field.

“I was looking to get involved with more clubs on campus, and had heard great things about the club, so I figured I would give it a try,” she explained.

She really immersed herself in the program in her junior year, and now serves as operations manager for the organization, which allows her to interact with many students, as well as alumni.

“I feel that since I have become more involved and taken over the manager role in SIMM, I have gotten to know more people, especially underclassmen who are looking to get involved,” she said.

She noted that SIMM keeps a database of its alumni, and offers access to it to all current SIMM members.

“I have also gotten to know the faculty and alumni more, since a big part of SIMM is all the networking that goes on within the club,” she said. “Also, being the operations manager means I deal directly with the board, who are also all alumni so keeping in touch with them and getting to know them really helps to expand my network.”

Lancour added that the strong alumni network within SIMM allows students to seek advice from people with experience in their chosen fields.

Lancour said she plans on working in accounting following graduation.

“I graduate with my BBA in May but I plan to come back for my fifth year to pursue my MBA toward a Proficiency in Accounting,” she said. “After I graduate with my MBA, I hope to take the CPA exam, and hopefully work for an accounting firm in their tax department.”

Though she doesn’t plan on pursuing investment after college, she said SIMM gives her a leg up by introducing her to good connections in the accounting world.

“Although I do not plan on pursuing an investment career, I still think learning what I have in SIMM can give me a good advantage when interviewing for a job,” Lancour said.

She said she’s loved her experience with SIMM.

“All of the students who are involved in SIMM create a special bond because they spend so much time inside and outside of class helping one another,” she said.