STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TYLER SMITHSON
While a senior in high school, Tyler Smithson convinced his business teacher to create a class on finance. The result? A trader was born. “With just two students enrolled, my instructor and I would spend 50 minutes each day trading equities and options while watching CNBC. It was a fantastic learning experience!” Smithson, a December 2009 B.S. in Finance graduate, is currently an accelerated MBA student and will graduate in December 2010.
Smithson was introduced to the stock market by one of his four older brothers who told him about a company called Sprint PCS, and how its stock price had quadrupled in less than two weeks. At the time, Smithson had never even thought about the stock market. However, quickly comprehending the potential profits available to those who bought low and sold high, Tyler wrote his dad a check and told him to open a trading account. Since that time, Tyler has made hundreds of trades in both equities and commodities that have nurtured his passion and knowledge of the markets. However, one of Smithson’s most profitable trades could be attributed to a little old-fashioned good luck. “A couple of years ago I shorted (selling a stock with the intention of buying it back later at a lower price) United Airlines while waiting for a class to start. Less than a minute later, I watched with excitement and disbelief as the stock price plummeted. I quick bought it back to cover my position and realized a 60% gain. Apparently there was an erroneous publication by Reuters that United was filing for bankruptcy.”
Smithson has enjoyed being a student at Missouri State, especially summer session classes. “The campus is virtually empty, the teachers are a bit less strict, and the classes are so intense due to the short session that you develop lasting bonds with your fellow classmates.” Smithson’s favorite professor at Missouri State is Dr. Stephen Haggard. “In his FIN 780 course, he really took the time to acknowledge me as an individual. He selected me for a group trip to the Edward Jones headquarters in St. Louis.”
Smithson’s career goals include eventually becoming the chief financial officer of a Fortune 500 company. “I’ve always enjoyed reading the financial statements of large corporations, researching their various business segments, and brainstorming ways to make them stronger. As CFO, I would get paid to do this.” More immediately, after obtaining his MBA, Smithson will be working toward a second master’s degree in accounting. His goal is to become an audit manager for a top-10 national accounting firm in a few years. In the little spare time he has, Smithson enjoys watching football with his girlfriend, Nicole, and Boston terrier, Walter.