Mead Fellow Quin McGlame recently talked with David Linden ‘16, was a President’s Fellow in History, wrote a thesis on Olympic Boycotts, and now works in Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs.
Could you tell me a little about yourself?
I grew up in New York City and graduated from Trinity where I was a curious History major. Post college I worked on a national political campaign and then at a boutique wealth management firm, before deciding to go to Georgetown to get my MBA. Today, I work on a team that helps individuals and families design plans to manage their wealth and maximize their impact.
What advice would you give someone interested in studying history at Trinity?
A History major at Trinity is ideal for those students, like me, who have no idea what they want to do when they enter college. The courses teach you a variety of skills and perspectives which are so helpful for the rest of your life. However, the best part of being a History major is that you will be taught by great professors, all of whom were fundamental to my growth and experience with history at Trinity. Through their teachings, I have been able to objectively view facts and better see the world. They are the best, and you will develop strong mentorship relationships with them.
Tell me about your thesis, ‘Let the Games not Begin: The Impact of Olympic Boycotts.’
My decision to write a thesis was driven by a desire to do a deep dive into a historical event or theme beyond class courses. At first, it was challenging to think of a topic to write 100 pages about. However, I am passionate about a wide range of sports and thought that a topic involving history and sports would enable me to write a great thesis. As a result, I chose to examine international boycotts of the Olympic Games. I examined the reasons for boycotts, the ingredients for an effective boycott, and their impact on global affairs, the Olympics, and the athletes. Ultimately, I became so engrossed in the topic, and my advisor, Professor Kassow, was so inspirational that it became easy to write 100 pages.
What advice would you give someone interested in or currently writing an honors thesis in the history department?
Just do it. It is so worth it and one of the most gratifying accomplishments of your academic career. The key is to stay motivated by picking a topic you care about and find interesting. Also, ask a professor who has some background in the area of your topic, and who you think would be available to guide you as a supervisor. For me, having Professor Kassow as my supervisor was a wonderful opportunity to develop my writing and presentation skills with someone who inspired me. The research, writing, and dedication necessary for a thesis paper will make you grow not only academically but also as a person. You will be so happy that you did it.
In what ways do you find the skills and knowledge you gained during your history major applicable to your current position at Goldman Sachs?
The History major is one of the broadest, most flexible majors with many interchangeable skills. Writing and researching history papers develops your skills to find, analyze and present regarding financial matters and to interpret and make arguments based on evidence. These skills and knowledge are needed in understanding, analyzing, and predicting financial events. Much of what transpires as financial news is based on events that have occurred in the past, and history teaches us to always look at news in the context of what has happened in the past. I leverage these skills on a daily basis to understand and explain market cycles.
