The University of Notre Dame Meruelo Family Center for Career Development and Visa launched the inaugural Visa Fintech Foundations program.
Through the partnership, Notre Dame undergraduate students can learn about the financial technology (fintech) industry while exploring career possibilities in the field.
The Visa Fintech Foundations program explores the intersection of technology and traditional financial services in weekly sessions. Facilitated by Visa subject matter experts, the program covers components of banking, digital currencies, finance and career opportunities.
“In recent years, we have seen growth in the number of employers interested in hiring students with fintech experience,” said Ryan Willerton, Notre Dame associate vice president for career and professional development, in a press release. “Providing students with the opportunity to learn directly from professionals working for a global leader like Visa not only helps to improve their understanding of how technology relates to traditional banking, it also prepares Notre Dame students for potential careers in a competitive and evolving industry.”
Students are selected for the program by Center for Career Development staff based on students’ interest in financial services and technology-related career paths. In 2024, 32 sophomore and junior students pursuing degrees in various Notre Dame colleges and schools were selected from a pool of applicants to be a part of the inaugural cohort.
Students attended six in-person presentations led by Visa leaders who traveled to Notre Dame from across the country each week. Students were then assigned to teams to work collaboratively on a case study. They were invited to visit the Visa headquarters in San Francisco to present their findings.
“I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of the fintech landscape, and the interactive sessions and capstone project have truly expanded my knowledge of the field,” Mushfiq Milan, Notre Dame senior studying business analytics and real estate, said.
The Visa Fintech Foundations program will return to Notre Dame in 2025. Visa plans to replicate the program at other universities in the future.
“The Visa Fintech Foundations program is designed to uplift students with the critical skills and insights necessary to lead in the payments sector,” Jeremy Broome, Visa senior vice president of global talent, said. “Our partnership with the University of Notre Dame has proven the value of this initiative, and we are excited to bring this transformative experience to more campuses across the nation.”
