Julie Kurenkova has waited since eighth grade to learn how to invest money in the stock market.

Now, as a junior international business major and vice president of finance for the Institutional Investment Society at Sacramento State, her wait has ended because she is exposed to professionals in the business field on a regular basis.

Kurenkova said she has been eager to work in the stock market since middle school because of the excitement that occurs with buying and selling stocks.

“You’re gambling with thousands of dollars and you can make tens of thousands of dollars or lose it all,” she said.

As a member of the Institutional Investment Society, she said she is learning background regarding the stock market and topics in business.

The club was founded in 2007 by Sophia Morris and Marcella McGinley because they felt students were not being educated in professions such as investment banking, venture capital, private equity, equity research and public equity.

Kurenkova said the Institutional Investment Society has provided members resources to learn about trading or investing in the stock market and becoming better financial managers.

“We help students who are in the club by providing them with locations on-and off-campus to find information regarding the stock market and current trends,” she said.

These club meetings start at 6 p.m. every other Tuesday on the second floor of the University Union. The next meeting will be held on April 21.

Club president Alex Duran, junior business administration major, said professionals speak at most meetings.

Duran said officers try to connect students companies and professionals from the business arena such as CalPERs and Hedge Funds.

He said most speakers discuss business matters in simple terms so people, from all majors, can understand the concepts.The biggest event being held by the club is the stock analysis competition, which will take place on May 7.

“The stock analysis competition involves club members analyzing a company in the stock market and creating a presentation about whether people should or should not invest in that company,” said Paul

Robertson, economics major and executive vice president of the club.Robertson encourages all Sac State students to take part in this competition.

“This will be a great opportunity to present your analytical skills to professionals in the field,” he said.

The winner will get $500, donated by Dave Anderson, Sac State alumnus and affiliate of Palo Alto Investments.

Duran said the competition is an event that meets the objective of the club because it provides students with a place to learn how to invest.

John Saelee can be reached at [email protected]