Peyton Sharpe, Finance Major, University of Georgia

"There's something about trying new things that has always scared me, and that's why I think it's so important that I get myself out of my comfort zone. I know that I'll never know enough, and that's what drives me to keep getting better."

Peyton, you’ve built an early foundation in finance through internships, campus involvement, and academic study at the University of Georgia. Can you walk us through your journey so far and what first sparked your interest in finance (and or real estate)?

Following my graduation from Highland Park High School in the Spring of 2024, I decided to attend The University of Georgia as an Intended Finance student. My interest in Finance primarily developed through a week-long shadowship opportunity I had at Montgomery Street Partners in high school, and further in an internship at HP Wealth Partners. I was able to get a ton of exposure to real estate, wealth management, and client-facing roles that helped me determine that Finance was something I'd be interested in pursuing. At UGA I've had a great opportunity to build upon my professional development and Finance skills through the Atlas Business Society and Georgia Kickstart Fund, where I've gotten a ton of exposure to entrepreneurship and venture capital investing. I'm excited about the opportunity to dive deeper into my Finance, Philosophy, and AI for Business studies as I embark on the next 2 years of my college experience.

Your internship experience with Oakview Capital and HP Wealth Partners gave you exposure to both client-facing discussions and investment research. What were some of the most valuable lessons you took away from those roles, and how did they shape your understanding of the industry?

The most valuable thing I learned from working at Oakview Capital and HP Wealth Partners the last 2 summers was the importance of having the client's best interest in mind. Understanding the needs of your clients and developing those relationships was the backbone of the work at both of these firms, and it created a culture that I was excited and grateful to be a part of every day. I learned so much about how much work goes into managing money, and it has inspired me to take good care of others as I've come back to school. There is still so much I have to learn about the industries themselves, but I was captivated by the dedication of Oakview and HP Wealth's teams.

You recently took a real estate course that introduced you to market trends, zoning, development fundamentals, and investment analysis. Was there a particular class project or concept that made real estate feel especially tangible or exciting to you?

One project we did went through multiple stages of the real estate acquisition process. It was really interesting to see how development, research, and analysis all came together to bring a project into fruition. I picked a property in Athens, GA to analyze, understanding all of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of what makes a successful commercial property investment. I had never done anything related to calculating cash flows or seeing how leverage works in a deal, so it was incredibly insightful to get a first-hand look at how I could put these into practice with a real property. This has been by far one of the most impactful courses I've taken so far as a student.

In addition to your internship experience, you’ve been active on campus through organizations like the Atlas Business Society, Georgia Kickstart Fund, and UGA Miracle. How have those involvements helped shape your leadership style and your perspective as a student preparing for a career in business?

Being a part of the Atlas Business Society, Georgia Kickstart Fund, and Miracle have taught me so much about what it looks like to work on a team and develop as an aspiring Finance professional. Atlas has given me so much exposure to different fields and paths within business, and it's given me lasting friendships and connections for life. I could say the same about Kickstart, which has allowed me to meet and help many incredible entrepreneurs on their journeys to building a successful company. Miracle however has been one of the most impactful on my leadership style. Learning how to lead a fundraising initiative has taught me so much about what it means to inspire and galvanize others. Having integrity in philanthropy is so important to me, and I've made it my goal to encourage this in finding ways to fundraise for such an incredible cause.

You’ve described yourself as someone who wants to learn as much as possible and develop in any way you can. How has that mindset influenced the way you approach internships, academics, and new opportunities?

There is still so much I'm interested in learning about, and in my eyes there is no better time to get exposure to a bunch of different topics than college. I've done my best to get involved in as many different organizations and classes as I can, with the hope that I can take something away that will help me grow. There's something about trying new things that has always scared me, and that's why I think it's so important that I get myself out of my comfort zone and do those things. Had I not taken an introductory Philosophy class, I might have never added a Minor in the subject and expanded my thinking. I will never know enough, and that's what I love most about trying to get better.

Outside of finance, you’ve developed strong interests in filmmaking, writing, and cinematography. How have those creative interests shaped the way you think, communicate, or approach problem-solving in other areas of your life?

My love for film started from a young age. It's been a unique way for me to escape into cool stories and find perspectives I otherwise wouldn't develop on my own. There is something extraordinary about developing a film project from the ground up, and I've always had an appreciation for the ways that actors and directors are able to put everything together to make a work of art. I love writing and it's been a great way to relax and have a creative outlet alongside my love for movies. I could talk for hours about my favorite movies and the challenges that went into making and writing them. It's helped me learn how to think outside the box, and solve problems from a lense that others might not immediately think of when working in a team.