Waukee High School Alum Sheldon Fox – Finance in New York City

Written by Waukee APEX Associate Suleiman Delati

Sheldon’s journey exemplifies the transformative impact of hands-on learning and professional exposure. As an APEX alumni from a decade ago, he progressed from a high school student with limited knowledge of finance to a pivotal role at a prestigious investment management firm in New York City.

APEX Experience

During his time in the APEX program, Sheldon took the Finance, Banking & Investments course. “APEX sounded very interesting, like it would provide real or quasi-real work experience. I thought it’d be a perfect opportunity to gain professional insight,” he recalled.

Sheldon’s projects in APEX offered him a glimpse into the professional world and prepared him for a future career in finance. One standout project was a collaboration with Kidder Benefits, a local finance consulting company, where his team created a tax simulator in Microsoft Excel. The tool illustrated various outcomes based on investment amounts, a project Sheldon described as “one of the most valuable” he worked on. This hands-on experience led directly to an internship with Kidder Benefits the following summer.

In addition to the tax simulator, Sheldon participated in an investment competition, where he gained foundational skills in basic stock valuation. “These experiences gave me the building blocks for my future in finance,” he noted.

Lessons Learned

When asked about the specific skills he gained during his APEX experience, Sheldon highlighted its holistic impact. “My short answer is really all of them — general work experience, how to dress, how to communicate, how to greet people, really everything,” he shared. The program, under the guidance of his instructor Jesse Hunt, introduced Sheldon to the professional world in a meaningful way, extending beyond traditional classroom learning.

After graduating high school, Sheldon pursued a double major in Finance and Economics at the University of Iowa. Upon graduating in 2021, he joined PIMCO, an investment management company in New York City, where he worked on the account and client relationships team, managing large institutional public clients. Recently, Sheldon transitioned to a senior role at Capital Group, another renowned investment management firm, where he focuses on business development and manages key clients on the East Coast.

Sheldon credits APEX with equipping him for professional success, from resume workshops to interview preparation and group presentations. The program provided a solid foundation that helped him excel in the highly competitive finance industry.

“APEX gave me the chance to see what working in the financial world is really like at a young age,” he said. This opportunity was particularly meaningful given that his family did not have a background in the financial sector.

Offering Advice

For high school students considering work-based learning courses, Sheldon offers enthusiastic encouragement: “Just do it. The experience you gain from APEX is invaluable. It provides opportunities that many colleges don’t offer.”

Sheldon’s story is a testament to how APEX can open doors to professional growth, setting students on a path to success in their chosen careers.