Double Devil Carson Roland leverages master's in finance to kickstart career

After completing his bachelor's in finance at the W. P. Carey School of Business, Carson Roland (BS Finance '23, MS Finance '24) sought to enhance his career opportunities and deepen his understanding of finance across various industries. He decided that going straight into the master's degree in finance was the right choice for him.

After completing his bachelor's in finance at the W. P. Carey School of Business, Carson Roland (BS Finance '23, MS Finance '24) sought to enhance his career opportunities and deepen his understanding of finance across various industries. He decided that going straight into the master's degree in finance was the right choice for him.

"The MS-FIN program was the perfect opportunity to gain deeper insights into finance and connect with people of varying ages and work experience," says Roland. "The professors want you to succeed, and will provide time and resources outside of class upon request."

W. P. Carey spoke to Roland about his choice to pursue a master's degree directly from undergraduate studies, and ways to stay involved as an ASU alumnus.

Why W. P. Carey?

Thanks to credits he earned in high school through dual enrollment and AP classes, Roland was able to graduate with his honors bachelor's in finance in three years. The MS-FIN provided a chance for him to get the full experience of four years in college while expanding upon what was taught in the undergraduate program.

"The master's program was the perfect opportunity to delve into various financial instruments, utilize Excel and Python, and compile it all into a cumulative capstone project," Roland explains. He cites this skill-building as incredibly valuable to his career, in addition to soft skills he developed during his time in school.

"All of these have been material in my work and personal life and have prepared me to interpret market conditions and analyze financial statements for clients," he says. "Through the coursework and projects, I learned time management and effective teamwork that is invaluable for any industry."

At W. P. Carey, Roland discovered a community Where Business is Personal.^® He forged strong connections with fellow students, held positions in various organizations, and felt supported every step of the way.

"W. P. Carey has an abundance of organizations to get involved in," he says. "Students are able to network with like-minded individuals of varying disciplines and make connections from the classroom to real-life."

Why finance?

Carson Roland receiving the Dean's Medalist award from W. P. Carey Dean Ohad Kadan

The finance industry is constantly shifting and evolving as new technologies and processes are developed, and this changing landscape is part of what drew Roland to finance. "No two days look alike," he says.

After graduating from the MS-FIN program in May 2024 as a Dean's Medalist, Roland joined the Phoenix branch of the commercial insurance agency INSURICA as a commercial lines bond producer, a role he greatly enjoys.

"It is inspiring to be able to foster long-term relationships with companies of any industry through risk management consulting strategies and insurance," says Roland. "Our goal is to use workers compensation and other risk mitigation strategies to positively affect premiums from carriers, keep workers safer, and revenues higher for a company."

Roland’s dedication to his field is evident in his pursuit of numerous certifications and licenses, including becoming a Certified Workcomp Advisor (CWCA) and a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS), among others, and earning an Arizona real estate license. These credentials further position him for continued growth in his career.

What's next?

As an alumnus, Roland has stayed deeply connected to the W. P. Carey and ASU communities by joining the ASU Young Alumni Council, aimed at alums under the age of 35. He looks forward to taking on new responsibilities and making an impact as part of the YAC affinity development and events committee.

"Through this role, I will be managing event logistics and details to support YAC initiatives, collaborating with other committees on event execution, and helping fellow alumni network and reconnect with ASU," he says. "I am excited to be a part of this organization and continue my involvement with ASU."

Roland encourages current and potential students to focus on making connections with their peers and instructors to enhance their program experience, provide networking opportunities, and form relationships that will last beyond college.

"You will consistently hear about the challenges and time commitment of the program, but not the support and guidance," he says. "Get to know your classmates sooner, as your cohort will go through the same program together. Everyone comes from a different background and skill sets allowing for changes in perspectives and creativity."