UPMC’s Finance Management Rotation (FMR) program is a three-year immersive leadership development program that provides participants with three, one-year rotations in various areas throughout finance and accounting.
Graduation day is marked on your calendar, but you’re not quite sure yet what direction your future is headed. Is the FMR program a good thing to apply to? Would you be a fit? We sat down with three individuals who participated in UPMC’s FMR program to ask them a few questions about how they knew they were a fit for this role!
Q: What was your major in college?
Josh: I went to Duquesne University and majored in Finance and Accounting.
Caroline: I went to the University of Pittsburgh and dual majored in Finance and Marketing with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management.
Rachel: I attended Allegheny College and graduated with a major in Economics, and double minors in Spanish and Political Science.
Q: How did you find the FMR program at UPMC and why did you apply?
Josh: A former FMR came to speak to a few of my classes at Duquesne University. I decided to apply because I felt that it would give me an opportunity to experience different aspects of a large business.
Caroline: I found the FMR program through becoming a Summer Associate the summer after my junior year. I was interested in working for UPMC since my freshman year, so I first heard of the FMR program when I approached them at the career fair just after starting college. I liked that I could combine my interests of finance, health care, and nonprofits with a single accelerated program.
Rachel: I first heard about the FMR program from someone I worked with at Allegheny College, who was a Summer Associate and had accepted a full-time role as an FMR. She mentioned the FMR program to me as a great post-grad opportunity, since many alumni worked at UPMC, and the program had a strong connection with the school. I ended up attending a recruitment visit, and had the opportunity to connect with Summer Associates, FMRs, and various leaders with UPMC. These connections, along with the attractiveness of a rotational program, led me to apply!
Q: What really sparked your interest in the program?
Josh: During my senior year of college, I still hadn’t quite figured out what I wanted to do for work. This program provided a perfect opportunity to involve myself in unique lines of a business each year within UPMC and help me figure out what I did and did not like. In turn, I knew the program would challenge me in ways other jobs couldn’t and would aid in my growth as a person and professional.
Caroline: The FMR program is a program that offers quick growth when entering the workforce. Since the program places you in three different rotations within the company, the network and knowledge you can grow are immense. The rotations are also each a year long, which stood out to me compared to many other quick-moving rotational programs. Especially in finance, it is valuable to be able to experience the entire yearlong financial cycle in each of your rotations. I feel that this program will give me a better understanding of where my career will lead me in the future.
Rachel: I was drawn to the FMR program, and UPMC in general, because I didn’t know what I wanted to do once I graduated. I knew I wanted to work in finance, and that I didn’t really want to work in the banking industry. With the FMR program, I knew I could try three different finance roles all within the same company, helping me discover what parts of financial analysis, management styles, and work in general I like and don’t like. I was also drawn to the health care industry as a whole. Everyone I have talked to in the program says they wanted to work for UPMC because they could see the impact their work was having, and could feel like they were making a difference in the communities we are serving. Though it sounds cliché, it’s true! I wanted the work I was doing to be influential, and I got to try three new financial analyst roles while doing that.
Q: What’s it like living and working in Pittsburgh?
Josh: Pittsburgh is an exceptional city, catering to individuals of all ages, especially young professionals. Originating from Allentown, PA, I came to Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University. The main reason I love the city is that it blends the charm of a small town with the allure of a big city. There is also an abundance of affordable neighborhoods, all within easy reach of downtown. Pittsburgh quickly became home to me, and I would recommend the city to anybody.
Caroline: Pittsburgh is an amazing city! It is big enough that there is plenty to do, but it is more affordable and livable than many other cities around it. I currently live in the Lawrenceville area, which has many great dining options, coffee shops, boutiques, and bars. I also appreciate that our city has parks and other green spaces to hang outside in the warmer months. Pittsburgh is a wonderful place to be a young professional because of the many opportunities and reasonable expenses.
Rachel: I have loved living and working in Pittsburgh. I am originally from the Chicago suburbs, so starting at UPMC was my first experience being in the city. I genuinely love Pittsburgh-there is much more to do here than you think, you just have to go out and explore. One huge perk of the FMR program is having a close cohort of other young professionals that are all your age. We get to go out to dinner and happy hours, participate in summer sports leagues and book clubs, and explore the city together. Working in the city is great too; I take the bus to and from work, and enjoy grabbing lunch downtown with my team each week!
Q: What has the transition been like from college student to FMR?
Josh: The transition has proven to be considerably smoother than my initial expectations. Thanks to the program’s design, FMRs have ample opportunities for both work-related interactions and socializing, significantly alleviating the challenge of moving from college life to the professional world. The UPMC organization, along with the program, actively promotes a positive work/life balance, further facilitating a seamless transition.
Caroline: The transition from college to being an FMR has been exciting. I do not want to lie and say it has been perfect, as it has come with its own set of challenges. Luckily, the FMR program has been a great support system for me in adjusting to my new reality. Since there is a new class of FMRs each year, you automatically have so many people who are either in your same situation or are just a few years past where you are now! Even before I accepted the position, I had conversations with FMRs that gave me helpful life advice for my transition to a full-time job. Two things I have discovered that are essential in the professional world are prioritization and effective communication. It can be scary to admit that you are confused, but asking questions is exactly what you should be doing as you learn. Also, when there is a lot on your plate, sometimes you may need to ask for help or discuss with your manager what you can complete in your available working time.
Rachel: The initial transition from college to full-time working was difficult at first. My senior year of college was remote, so it was a weird transition moving to a hybrid work in office/from home schedule, and working five full days a week. I had to learn how to balance my time to get my work done during the typical 9-5, and make sure I was taking enough time for myself after work and on the weekends. At work, I had to learn how to manage direct assignments and longer-term projects, and balance other responsibilities within the FMR program and UPMC as a whole. Having my managers and team members to learn on, along with other FMRs going through the same transition at the same time, is incredibly reassuring. Everyone you work with wants to help, you just have to be able to ask for it. You are not alone!
Q: Any last advice for someone considering applying to the program or accepting an offer to be an FMR here at UPMC?
Josh: I would strongly recommend this program to anybody who is interested in understanding how a successful organization is run. This program will provide you with plenty of opportunities to grow and challenge yourself in the workplace as well as all the needed resources to be successful in the professional world. Not only will you feel fulfilled in your work, but you will also create new friendships and bonds with fellow employees.
Caroline: It may be difficult to know you are leaving college and the idea of choosing a career may be terrifying. For me, knowing that I would get to continue exploring what my career could look like was extremely valuable, and luckily, I got that opportunity through the FMR program. It is okay if everything still feels confusing; you do not have to have your whole life figured out now!
Rachel: The FMR program has helped me learn so much about my work style and my passions throughout my three rotations. I have rotated though three areas of health care finance, have learned the ins and outs of the industry, developed strong technical skills, and maintained great relationships with all of the people I have worked for and with. Those relationships are something to not take for granted, and are part of the reason being in the FMR program is a great experience. Now that I am in my third and final year, I am looking forward to the next step of becoming a senior analyst with UPMC, and to welcoming the next class of FMRs.
Interested in becoming a UPMC FMR? With a full-time salary and full-time benefits, you will gain high-level exposure to all of our executives, and gain valuable industry experience while you’re at it! Upon completion of the program, graduates are highly sought after for complex roles across the organization.
