What’s Next for Marshall Wilt ’26 Wilt is working in wealth management at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Atlanta.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
June 24, 2026

Marshall Wilt ’26
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Data science
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.

What are your post-graduation plans?

I’ll be moving to Atlanta to work in wealth management at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

One of the reasons I chose to come to W&L was for the flexibility to take a variety of courses to help me figure out what I wanted to do. My career plans changed a dozen times in my four years, and I think that’s the amazing thing about a liberal arts education. Coming in freshman year, I was interested in engineering, business, economics and computer science. I declared my math major at the last minute sophomore year and continued to explore other subjects. I felt that my major could lend itself to a wide range of careers, which was both freeing and slightly unhelpful as it came to making career path decisions.

After conversations with older students, I became interested in consulting as a potential career path. I completed two consulting internships in Atlanta that taught me a lot about the professional world. I continued to explore other fields through alumni connections and found that I was more interested in finance, which led me to find wealth management. With the help of the Career and Professional Development Office, I re-recruited and was able to make the switch senior year.

My biggest takeaway from my recruiting experience is that keeping an open mind, especially when things don’t go as planned, is what will put you in the best position to end up where you’re supposed to be.

Which faculty or staff member had the most impact on you, and what did you learn from them (either inside or outside the classroom)?

Professor Aliaa Bassiouny has had the greatest impact on me in my time at W&L. Professor Aliaa makes learning fun with her contagious enthusiasm, passion and attentiveness to her students. I first met Professor Aliaa through the Williams Investment Society (WIS), as she helped me gain confidence in my presentations and encouraged me to explore investing. I later took three of her courses, and I can safely say I don’t think I would be going into finance if not for her. She has inspired me to stay curious and engage with new ideas, which I’ll carry with me long after W&L.

What were some key organizations/clubs/activities you were involved in at W&L, and how did they shape your W&L experience?

The Williams Investment Society and the Executive Committee (EC) have been two of the most formative parts of my time at W&L. Since freshman year, WIS has pushed me to become a more confident presenter and given me a hands-on way to explore finance alongside my math major. The other students in WIS shaped my experience as much as anything and ultimately helped me to better understand both investing and what I wanted to pursue after W&L.

Serving on the Executive Committee this past year has been one of my most rewarding experiences at W&L. Getting a peek behind the curtain of what makes this school run gave me a genuine appreciation for all the hard work that often goes unnoticed but is essential to making W&L what it is. We had a fantastic group on the EC, and I have learned just as much from my peers through that experience as I have in any classroom.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

The CPD office played a big role in my recruiting process, both for consulting and wealth management recruiting. I met regularly with Brooke (Peccie) and Lauren (Vance) to bounce ideas off of them and get advice. Those conversations helped me find contacts and make the most of the W&L alumni network. The office has so many amazing resources, especially the interview prep and resume coaching, but it is up to you to seek them out. I waited until sophomore year to meet with career advisers, but I would encourage all incoming students to reach out and build those relationships as early as possible.

What advice would you give to next year’s graduating class?

Senior year is your last chance! Say yes to everything and value time with your friends. Take chances academically and try something you’ve always wanted to study outside of your major. The school is bigger than you realize — take advantage of a new opportunity and always make new friends.