Holland Stallings '25 is an investment consulting analyst in Charlotte, North Carolina. Faculty guidance and connections ensured he locked in the job before graduation.
Before choosing Berry, Holland visited a lot of schools and applied to 12. One subject was on his mind: a finance career.
What sold him? “The winning culture of Berry's football program and the commitment by staff to develop young men on and off the field."
Zeroing in on career and connections
Holland recognized the value of a double major in finance and accounting. He started looking for opportunities through the business school's robust alumni network.
"The Berry College football team and the Center for Personal and Professional Development partnered to provide student-athletes with education and direction in key career-related areas," he says.
He met Berry alum Denise Sumner '89, the chief accounting officer at Kontoor Brands. She hired Holland as a corporate accounting intern.
The next year, Henry Gund Professor of Economics Frank Stephenson connected him with NEPC. an investment consulting firm. Meeting the company's principal, Aaron Chastain '15, led to an internship.
Holland worked with the corporate practice consulting team. He participated in several projects related to corporate retirement plans. He also sat in on meetings with asset managers and clients. The work paid off. NEPC made a job offer.
Earning credentials before graduation
Holland passed level one of the Chartered Financial Analyst credential. He says, "This is a challenge that I would not have pursued without the encouragement of and motivation from Ken Johnston, associate professor of finance."
He also gives a shoutout to the coaches and teammates who made all the difference in his college journey. "The memories made, relationships forged and intangibles developed through my football experience made the investment and dedication worthwhile," he says.
