January 22, 2027•New York City, NY
The Industry-Leading Event to Recruit and Source the Next Generation of Talent in Finance
The headlines and studies on the gender gap in the alternative industry and the value of diversity are pervasive. The Career Forum provides a platform for young women and all first-generation college students and graduates an opportunity to learn, engage, and network with industry veterans, while efficiently helping employers solve the continued issue of finding qualified talent.
The Career Forum focuses on alternative investments, spanning private equity, venture capital, real estate, credit, real assets, hedge funds, and investment banking. The format pairs the reach of a career fair with the structure of a dedicated networking day, bringing participating firms face-to-face with a curated group of Forum Scholars, ranging from undergraduates to early-career professionals with relevant finance experience.
The agenda blends educational sessions with expo-style networking, giving attendees both substantive content and direct face time with recruiters and firms, including firms like Blackstone and Ares Management.
Past participating firms
Check-in & Continental Breakfast
Welcome Remarks
Legacy Award Presentation & Keynote
Marvin Rosen
Panel 1: GP Strategies - Illiquid
Panel 2: GP Strategies - Liquid
Networking Break
Panel 3: LP Perspective
Ally in Action Award Presentation
Kirk Sims, with sponsor remarks
Panel 4: Beyond the Fund
Alternative career paths, including service providers to the industry
Industry Professional-Led Roundtable Discussions
With scholars: two rotations of 25-minute discussions
Closing Remarks
Lunch & Career Expo
Learn about professions in finance. Find your next opportunity or source candidates for internships and full-time positions.
Undergraduate through 3 years post-graduate school, including analysts and associates from alternative investment firms, investment banks, and management consulting firms, accountants, attorneys, operators, and marketing professionals. All Forum Scholars will be pre-screened.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to early applicants — submit yours before the deadline to be considered.
You'll need to log in or create a free account to apply.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the leaders, builders, and first-generation trailblazers shaping the future of finance and investing. Hispanic and Latino professionals bring perspectives, networks, and resilience that make our industry stronger. At COLAB, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t always equally distributed. To the students wondering if there’s a place for them in this industry: there is. And there’s a community ready to help you get there. Join us in the Clubhouse and apply to the 10th Annual Caeer Forum!
Oct 16, 2026
You don't need a finance degree to build a career in finance. Some of the sharpest people in private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, and real assets started somewhere else entirely. The engineer who models complex systems for fun. The literature major who can find the real story buried in a 200-page document. The history student who spots patterns everyone else misses. The computer scientist who sees data where others see noise. The marketing student obseesed with design and who can sell novel ideas/products. Careers in finance reward curiosity, rigorous thinking, and the ability to explain or sell a complicated idea simply. If that sounds like you, this industry may be a better fit than you ever imagined. Join us at the COLAB Career Forum at the Hilton Midtown in NYC on January 22nd. Meet the firms, ask the questions you didn't think you were allowed to ask, and see where your skills could take you. No finance background required. Just an open mind.
Oct 14, 2026
The Career Forum focuses on alternative investments, spanning private equity, venture capital, real estate, credit, real assets, hedge funds, and investment banking. The format pairs the reach of a career fair with the structure of a dedicated networking day, bringing participating firms face-to-face with a curated group of Forum Scholars, ranging from undergraduates to early-career professionals with relevant finance experience. The agenda blends educational sessions with expo-style networking, giving attendees both substantive content and direct face time with recruiters and firms, including firms like Blackstone and Ares Management. Link to apply in bio!
Sep 23, 2026
Applications close at 11:59 pm ET on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
Applicants informed of status on or before: December 15, 2026
Priority given to early applicants.
If you are arriving from outside the Tri-state area, you qualify.
The value of the travel stipend will range from $500–$1,500 based on your travel region. If you don't need a stipend to attend, please flag so that we are able to make this opportunity available for the maximum number of people.
We have a limited block of complimentary, shared rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We encourage you to apply since your resume will be included in a resume book that will be sent to all participating firms.
New York City, NY
