Maddie Kadens

1. What do you do?

As a valuation analyst, I perform various types of business and asset valuations for companies spanning all industries. We provide valuations to our clients for a wide range of purposes, including routine financial reporting, tax reporting, and purchase accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Typically, my work consists of analyzing data, building financial models, performing macroeconomic and industry research, and participating in client meetings.

2. What’s the coolest part of your job?

I enjoy the breadth of the work I do, in the sense that I get to work with many different types of businesses and gain unique insight into how companies in different industries operate.

Additionally, the scope of the work I do is an interesting aspect for me, as I get to work on complex projects that meaningfully impact the businesses I’m working with. I often work on projects for large, well-known companies and get to interact with senior leadership within these companies. Getting this kind of exposure early on in my career has been an invaluable learning experience.

3. Why are you passionate about it?

One aspect I am passionate about is that my role gives me the ability to constantly learn new things. Whether it’s learning about an industry I haven’t worked with before or building out a model for a unique, complex scenario, I enjoy the opportunity to expand my personal knowledge base while providing a quality product that directly impacts the client I am working with.

4. Which skills from your IAC degree have helped you succeed in this career?

My Georgia Tech economics degree uniquely prepared me for this kind of career, as my coursework was taught through the lens of STEM. Georgia Tech and the Ivan Allen College emphasize the ability to think analytically and solve difficult problems, and that set me up very well for a role in an analytically intensive facet of finance.

5. What’s your #1 tip for students and alumni interested in your field?

One important aspect of valuation is staying informed on current events, as understanding global trends and the macroeconomic environment is essential to creating a holistic picture of a business, so I would encourage those interested to stay up to date with financial and general news.

Additionally, leveraging existing connections and creating new connections is very important. The Georgia Tech alumni network is an extremely valuable resource that I would definitely recommend leveraging as much as possible. Finally, staying intellectually curious, asking questions, and maintaining a willingness and eagerness to learn and grow continuously is important in any career and definitely something that has helped me progress in my position