Oct. 20, 2025
Contact: Brian Consiglio, consigliob@missouri.edu
Photos courtesy of Chase McQueary, Max Meystrik and Abby Korschgen
More than a dozen Tigers recently returned from the networking opportunity of a lifetime on Wall Street.
Each fall, the University of Missouri’s Cornell Leadership Program takes high-achieving students in the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business to New York City’s Wall Street, the world’s financial capital.
This year, the trip included walking through the famous New York Stock Exchange floor and visiting some of the most high-profile investment banking and private equity firms, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Students networked and job shadowed with Mizzou alumni who have successfully planted their pawprints on Wall Street and are now eager to open doors for current Tigers.
“This was our 17th Mizzou trip, and our students came prepared to ask thoughtful questions to some of the greatest leaders on Wall Street,” Mary Beth Marrs, director of the Cornell Leadership Program, said. “The speakers we hear from often comment that Mizzou students ask tougher questions than industry analysts. Seeing the students walk away with confidence that they can succeed anywhere is always a highlight for me.”
Hear from three Tigers on their highlights of the trip to the Big Apple and how Mizzou has set them up for success.
Max Meystrik
A junior from Moberly, Missouri, Max Meystrik heard about the opportunity to visit companies on Wall Street from his older sister, who was also in the Cornell Leadership Program.
“We had the privilege of speaking with dozens of Mizzou alumni from New York City on this trip and hearing their advice on what it is like to work and live in the city,” Meystrik said. “The fact that our alumni were willing to take time out of their day to host us at their companies was really special and speaks to the strength of the Mizzou alumni network.”
Next summer, Meystrik will be an intern at Morgan Stanley in New York City, conducting fixed income research.
“Getting a lay of the land in New York City and finding that alumni support system before my internship was really beneficial,” Meystrik said. “Also, getting to go on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and seeing where they film finance shows on CNBC was so cool.”
Chase McQueary
A senior from Washington, Illinois, Chase McQueary went on the Wall Street trip for his second year in a row. This time, he served as a student mentor to help the juniors take full advantage of the incredible networking opportunity.
“The coolest part of this trip was seeing the number of resources we have in New York City thanks to the network Dr. Marrs has built,” McQueary said. “Seeing so many Mizzou alumni with interesting careers on Wall Street makes me want to continue to learn from the brightest minds so I can flourish as an individual and professional.”
Last summer, McQueary was an intern in the investment banking division at Raymond James in Chicago. He just signed an offer to continue working there full time after graduating from Mizzou this spring.
“Mizzou does a great job of allowing its students to learn through experiences, and this trip is a prime example of that,” McQueary said. “Being able to watch the opening bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange is something I will remember forever.”
During the trip’s Mizzou alumni reception, McQueary enjoyed making connections in a personalized setting.
“This trip allowed me to differentiate myself from other students at schools across the Midwest,” McQueary said. “I would 100% recommend the Cornell Leadership Program to any prospective Mizzou students interested in business.”
Abby Korschgen
A junior from Burlington, Iowa, Abby Korschgen is a fourth-generation Tiger who jumped at the opportunity to see the inner workings of trading and commerce on Wall Street.
“Exploring New York City with my friends and seeing firsthand all the possibilities that exist beyond college was so valuable,” Korschgen said. “I’m interested in the financial planning side of wealth management, and this trip allowed me to job shadow at Mapletree Investments, a Singapore-based real estate investment firm.”
Korschgen said the trip opened her eyes to career opportunities that she did not know existed, many of which align with her interests. She also enjoyed building relationships with professionals she admires throughout the visits and alumni reception.
“The connections I have made and the opportunities I have had through the Cornell Leadership Program have been unmatched,” Korschgen said. “I’ve seen firsthand how amazing the Trulaske College of Business treats its students and how engaged Mizzou wants us to be. The Cornell Leadership Program does an excellent job of helping students get to where they want to be in their future careers.”
