OUR MISSION
Access Distributed expands access to finance careers for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds at non-target schools.
Talent is universal, access to opportunity is not. Let’s fix that.
Entry-level jobs in core business areas such as finance, entrepreneurship and consulting industry disproportionately recruit candidates from certain prestigious universities or specific academic backgrounds, often overlooking qualified candidates from less-recognized institutions.
Research has shown that elite schools often have limited socioeconomic diversity, with a disproportionate representation of students from affluent families. By exclusively recruiting from these institutions, firms may unintentionally contribute to the perpetuation of economic disparities, hindering the inclusion of talented individuals who lack access to prestigious education.
At Access Distributed, we're committed to unlocking the potentials of a historically untapped candidate pool. Our vision is to level the playing field for individuals from non-target schools and diverse backgrounds, aiming to enhance diversity within the finance sector.
Twenty-five schools (“target schools”) made up the majority (over 50%) of the recruited and hired positions in the 2022 IB (bulge bracket) analyst class.
Thirty schools (“target schools”) made up the majority (over 50%) of the recruited and hired positions in the 2022 PE Mega Fund analyst class.
From these “target schools”, 30% have more students from the top 1 percent of the income scale than from the entire bottom 60 percent.
“Firms are scrambling for diversity. They want gender diversity, racial diversity, you name it, and [they] go to great lengths to attract diverse applications. They are all fighting for the same tiny piece of the pie. But they are focusing on that slice rather than expanding it, which is the real problem.”
— Diversity within Reach: Recruitment versus Hiring in Elite Firms, Lauren A. Rivera
Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
Our unique approach to transforming the finance industry…
Access Distributed serves as a bridge to connect financial institutions searching for high quality, diverse candidates with ambitious students from under-recruited universities. We reach all stakeholders through thoughtful programming and innovative technology. Learn more about the programs we offer:
Access Distributed Fellowship
The AD fellowship is an extracurricular program alongside students’ fall and spring classes. It is designed to help fellows gain the skills, connections and real-world experience to successfully enter a high-potential, foundational career.
AD focuses on expanding access for undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Specifically, AD fellows are diverse and/or first-generation college students who attend a non-target school.
AD Partnership Program
As an AD Partner, your firm will gain exclusive access to top talent from traditionally overlooked schools, providing you with access to an untapped candidate pool. Our AD Fellowship program ensures that our students develop the techncial and professional skills to be desk-ready by the time they begin their internships.
By partnering with AD, you contribute to developing more inclusive analyst hiring practices and building a diverse pipeline of future finance leaders. Learn more about how you can be a part of our mission and benefit from the AD Partnership Program.
