Beloit College students visited Borgman Capital LLC, a private equity firm, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The investment firm adds value to businesses and the communities in which they operate, and the value add for finance students was increased understanding of finance in the real communities. Students heard directly from private equity analysts about the needed experiences and skills for this career path.
Beloit College prioritizes student opportunities to grow and lead in their academic fields and excels at offering students active learning opportunities that take students outside the classroom and into their potential careers in-person. At Borgman Capital, students lived a day-in-the-life of a private equity professional, an area of finance many aspire to enter.
“Experiences like this help bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students sometimes view what they learn in the classroom as relevant only for exams or discussions,” says Kevin Smith, assistant professor of economics and business. “This trip showed them how concepts like discounted cash flow analysis are actively used in professional settings. It reinforced the importance of building a strong analytical foundation to both understand and communicate these ideas effectively.”
The day included two presentations, one from the founder and CEO of the firm who focused on how Borgman enhances the value of the firms they purchase and the other from a senior associate who described the profession’s required technical and soft skills. The presentations emphasized understanding the client and their needs and matching financial models with the appropriate tools like Excel and Copilot.
“The Borgman Capital team provided an incredible insight into the nature of private equity. As a finance student, analyzing businesses to determine their alignment with a firm’s portfolio is an incredibly important function to understand,” said Frank Sharp Hooton ’26. “New technology is useful, but it doesn’t replace expertise. I am thankful to have been provided the opportunity to see that up close.”
A cornerstone of academic experiences like this visit is joining career networks. Students that attended were encouraged to apply for two internship positions at the firm for summer 2027. These internships are focused on assisting associates on acquisition offers or aiding with the needs of portfolio firms.
Credit: Maddie Brantman
March 23, 2026
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From left to right in the photo: Disha Shende, Ken Conrad, Bam Ramsukh, Madhav Singh, Adam Kuborn, Krisdilynn Mae Strohmayer-Knutson, Frank Sharp Hooton, David Staats, John-David Edward Shoniker, Kevin S. Smith
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