(Photo courtesy of Anika Vilivalam)
Name: Anika Vilivalam
Major: Finance
Hometown: King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Anika Vilivalam can still vividly remember the exact moment she knew studying finance at the Fox School of Business was the right decision for her.
“The spring of my freshman year I was sitting in a Temple Finance Association ‘Wall Street Bootcamp’ session,” Vilivalam explains. “There was just this energy in the space—people filled the room, they were animated, participating more than usual, and just enthusiastic about finance and all its details.
“In that moment it all clicked, and I just thought, ‘this is exactly what I want to do.’”
Now, as she prepares to graduate from the Fox School, Vilivalam has met that goal.
From King of Prussia, PA, Vilivalam has spent the past four years at Fox creating success through her pursuits of education, experiential learning opportunities and student leadership. Initially drawn to Temple for a general business education, she refined her focus on studying finance before the beginning of her first semester.
“I liked the concept of how finance combines both business and math, so when it came time to decide a major, I figured I’d start there,” Vilivalam says.
“Looking back now, I am so glad I made the decision for this path of study. I also have come to enjoy how much critical thinking is involved in the subject, too.”
“I will always be incredibly thankful for everything that my experience at Fox offered me—the opportunities here not only give you a chance to be a great student, but they give you a chance to rise to being a leader.”
While she’s found success studying finance within the classroom, her extracurricular involvement has also positioned her to stand out amongst the crowd. Vilivalam has held student leadership positions within two of the school’s student finance organizations: the Temple Finance Association (TFA) and the William C. Dunkelberg Owl Fund, the latter being an entirely student-managed investment fund which oversees millions of dollars from Temple University’s endowment fund annually.
After first joining the Owl Fund as an analyst, Vilivalam has served as chief investment officer for the past year.
“Joining the Owl Fund in my sophomore year was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Vilivalam says. “I’m very proud of the work we do and have previously accomplished because it is entirely student-run—we support each other, and the success of the group relies on that support.
“A group like the Owl Fund is incredibly important because, while we learn about the finance content in our classes, being a member in the group allows us to learn how to look at and actually apply the lessons we’ve learned through a real-world situation.”
Her extracurricular experiences extend beyond Temple’s North Philadelphia campus, too. In spring 2024, Vilivalam attended Temple Rome for what she calls a “life-changing” study abroad experience.
“Studying in Rome was really one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” she says. “I truly recommend that it’s something every student does—it’s something I will take with me and never forget for the rest of my life.”
Photo courtesy of Anika Vilivalam
Her educational pursuits didn’t stop there. She also completed an internship with Citi’s Healthcare Investment Banking Group in San Francisco last summer. It’s safe to say it went well: Vilivalam has accepted a full-time position with Citi’s Healthcare Investment Banking Group in New York City post-graduation.
“I had a great internship experience with Citi, and I’ve always dreamt of living in New York City, so I am very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” Vilivalam says.
As she explains, her finance career will also specialize in a sector she’s passionate about: healthcare.
“My mom works as a biochemist and my dad works in pharmaceuticals, so that industry has always been important to me and my family,” Vilivalam says.
“To me, healthcare is always going to be a crucial industry, and one that can truly help people in their lives, so even through my career in finance I wanted to focus on that sector.”
Set to begin her next chapter, her journey at Fox will always remain a piece of her story.
“I will always be incredibly thankful for everything that my experience at Fox offered me—the opportunities here not only give you a chance to be a great student, but they give you a chance to rise to being a leader.”