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Ethan Schweitzer turns an interest in the markets and a CMU alumni connection into an RBC internship and return offer
For Ethan Schweitzer , a career on Wall Street wasn’t always the plan. A Finance major with a minor in Information Systems from Traverse City, Mich., Schweitzer entered Central Michigan University intending to attend law school. But an early interest in the markets—and one unexpected conversation at a recruiting table—changed the direction of his college career.
“I’ve been following the markets since I was 16,” Schweitzer said. “It started as a hobby and became close to a passion.”
That passion led him to become involved in CMU’s Student Managed Investment Fund, Wall Street Journal Club, and Michigan Finance Scholars Program. Through those experiences, he began building his knowledge, expanding his network, and discovering opportunities he hadn’t initially considered.
Then came a conversation that would change everything.
At the end of his sophomore year, Schweitzer connected with CMU alumnus Thomas Lucas, an Investment Grade Credit Trader at RBC Capital Markets, who was looking to bring a CMU student onto the trading floor in New York.
At the time, I told my mom I gave myself less than a 1% chance of it happening, Schweitzer said. “But if it did, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Instead of waiting for the opportunity to come to him, Schweitzer spent the following months meeting with Lucas weekly, discussing the markets and pitching trade ideas. One of those pitches came during spring break vacation while Schweitzer was in Florida without access to a Bloomberg terminal. Rather than letting that stop him, he built a bond pitch using BondSupermarket.com. That pitch earned him a first-round interview. After a second round consisting of three back-to-back interviews with traders and salespeople, Schweitzer received the news that he would be spending his summer on Wall Street. The timing was memorable as Schweitzer was competing at PSE Nationals in Kentucky, and his interviews took place in a hotel room with a flickering light because it was the only quiet space he could find. He learned he had earned the internship shortly before walking into the PSE sales competition.
“I found out I was headed to Wall Street right before walking into the PSE sales competition,” he said.
Schweitzer spent 10 weeks with RBC Capital Markets, where he quickly discovered that the experience was much more than finance. "The second you walk in, everyone there has fought hard to be there,” he said. “It’s a level of talent and work ethic that pushes you to raise your own bar.” Just as important was the culture. Rather than feeling like a competition between interns, Schweitzer found himself working alongside a team of talented students who collaborated on projects and became close friends. He was also surprised by the backgrounds of many of the professionals he met. "Many people on Wall Street didn’t come from Harvard or Wharton,” Schweitzer said. “They came from smaller state schools, just like me, and got there through drive and work ethic rather than a name on a diploma.”
That realization changed how he viewed his own path. As a CMU student, Schweitzer said he often assumed other students had everything figured out. His experience at RBC helped him recognize that there isn't one specific path to a career in finance.
“I made a point of talking to nearly every desk at RBC,” Schweitzer said. “That gave me a much better understanding of how a trading floor works. "That approach also helped him become known beyond his immediate team. For students hoping to earn a return offer, Schweitzer emphasizes the importance of being intentional. "Make sure people across the firm know who you are, not just your immediate team,” he said. He also encourages students to attend events, build genuine relationships, and develop their soft skills.
“Treat your boss and your boss’s boss like people, not just as gatekeepers to your career,” Schweitzer said. “Soft skills matter more than people expect. "His effort paid off: Schweitzer secured a return offer from RBC.
Looking back, Schweitzer credits much of his journey to simply being willing to show up. He encourages CMU students interested in finance to get involved early, attend recruiting events, participate in competitions, and take advantage of the university’s alumni network. “Don’t underestimate the CMU alumni network,” he said. “Alumni are consistently willing to help if you actually reach out.”
He also believes students shouldn't wait until they feel completely prepared. "When I went to my first few meetings, I had no idea what was going on,” Schweitzer said. “But I asked questions, showed up and tried my best. "That willingness to learn has remained one of his biggest takeaways.
“One of my mentors at RBC told me that every time he walks into a room, he assumes he’s the least knowledgeable person in it,” Schweitzer said. “That mindset is what keeps him sharp.”
For Schweitzer, that mindset started at CMU. He credits the Student Managed Investment Fund, Michigan Finance Scholars Program and Pi Sigma Epsilon, along with mentors including Brad Taylor and Dr. Claudine Salgado, with giving him the foundation to pursue opportunities like RBC.
He has also found ways to give that experience back to other students. This summer, Schweitzer taught a Bloomberg crash course in Grawn Hall alongside fellow incoming RBC analyst Trevor Carnovsky, helping students gain experience with the same tools he used to prepare for his own career.
Schweitzer’s advice to current students is simple: be curious, work hard, make connections, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
During his internship, Schweitzer made his share of mistakes, from spelling errors to double-booking a coffee chat. He learned that mistakes are part of the process—what matters is taking ownership, learning from them, and making changes. For Schweitzer, the journey from CMU to Wall Street came from following his curiosity, saying yes to opportunities and continuing to learn.
“Don’t feel like you’re behind,” he said. “If you work hard, try to improve every day, and give it everything you have, it works out.”
