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Credit Academy

The training you need to secure a role in credit investments

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What it is

The SEO Credit Academy prepares talented and high-achieving professionals for credit investment roles. Through a series of both virtual and in person events, as well as connections and networking opportunities with the largest credit funds, get the understanding and preparation you need to successfully compete for credit investment roles.

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SEO Credit Academy is for you if:

You’re a first-, second-, or third-year investment banking analyst, research analyst, sales and/or trading analyst, management consultant, or related professional field, in a full-time position

You’re a college junior with a prior or upcoming internship or a college senior with an offer for full-time work post-graduation in any of the above fields

You’re interested in credit investing roles

You want insider guidance to gain an edge in your recruiting process

Apply now

“Beyond the benefits of the programming itself, I still remain good friends with many of my SEO peers, which I believe is a testament to the enduring positive impact that SEO has had on my life both professionally and personally.”

Aaron Young

How it works

What you get:
Application schedule:
Who should apply?

What you get:

  • Virtual Small Group Workshops: Personalized training with credit investment professionals from a variety of our partner firms.
  • Virtual Large Group Workshops: Training sessions covering all aspects of credit investments. 
  • Hear from our alumni, network with industry professionals, and get access to case study trainings and preparation modules designed by partner firms.
  • Case studies are delivered to you by our partner firms, offering you an opportunity to directly interact with senior investment professionals and hiring managers.

Application schedule:

SEO Credit Academy accepts applications on a rolling basis from early fall to late spring.

Who should apply?

The SEO Credit Academy is open to both SEO alumni and non-alumni. All who meet the following criteria are welcome to apply:

  •  College seniors with:
    • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.3/4.0
      AND
    • A full-time job offer in a relevant industry

 OR

  • Relevant Professional Experience
    • Investment Banking (Coverage, M&A, Restructuring)
    • Credit Capital Markets (Leveraged Finance, DCM)
    • Credit Trading and Research

Credit Academy Fellowship Program (CAFP)

Members of Credit Academy can apply for the CAFP, which is designed for candidates who are highly prepared and are either actively interviewing for buyside credit roles or preparing to interview for these roles in the near future.

  1. Fellows benefit from:
    • Mock interviews to refine their preparation
    • Exclusive events with partner firms
    • Networking opportunities with successful alumni, providing a competitive edge in the hiring process
  2. Eligibility:
    • Be an engaged member of the SEO Credit Academy (CA) with a credit-relevant background
    • Complete the proprietary SEO CA Curriculum
    • Complete our SEO CA Take Home Case Study with a one-on-one coaching debrief
    • Complete our SEO CA Take Home Modeling Exercise with a one-on-one coaching debrief

Partner benefits include:

Opportunities to meet the newest class in person and engage in organized speed networking at welcome receptions and networking events

Complimentary passes to attend AICON in New York City and connect with bright and talented professionals in attendance

Opportunities to connect with prospective candidates for Coffee Chats and informational discussions, to develop relationships before any formal recruiting

A Fellowship class resume book in addition to customized resume books several times a year, plus the chance to reach out to any candidate or inquire with the SEO Partner team about any resumes

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more information? Check out our FAQ for deeper answers to the most common questions.

Within the Credit Academy, members can apply for the CAFP Fellowship, which consists of candidates who are interview-ready, actively interviewing for buy-side credit roles, or preparing for future buy-side credit interviews.

The Credit Academy Fellowship Program is an extension of our pre-existing Alternative Investments Fellowship Program. AIFP has historically focused on candidates interested in private equity careers. CAFP will be for SEO candidates looking to pursue a career in private credit. Both programs will have similar vetting processes and candidates will face comparable acceptance hurdles, but students will not be able to be a part of both programs.

  • Prestige: Fellows are often recognized by hiring partners as top tier SEO candidates due to the program’s more rigorous vetting process.
  • Partner Access: Fellows have greater access to in-person events where they will be able to meet representatives from our partner firms.
  • Mock Interviews: Fellows will be invited to schedule a mock in-person interview with a representative from a partner firm. The goal is to help candidates sharpen their interview skills and get immediate feedback. 
  • Alumni Networking: SEO has extraordinarily successful alumni found across the buyside. Alumni across our programs will often give back and support current Fellows.
  • Be an engaged member of SEO Credit Academy with a credit relevant background.
  • Complete the proprietary SEO CA Curriculum.
  • Complete our SEO CA Take Home Case Study with 1:1 coaching debrief.
  • Complete our SEO CA Take Home Modeling Exercise with 1:1 coaching debrief.
  • Eligibility Check A member of the SEO team reviews candidate resumes and determines suitability. Candidates must come from an investment banking, consulting, or credit research background. They must also have a minimum GPA of 3.3 / 4.0 as undergraduate students.
  • Screening: A member of the SEO Credit Academy team schedules a call with candidates to understand their level of knowledge and interest. Candidates are evaluated and given feedback on where they need to improve.
  • Case Study: Candidates complete a financial model case study. The SEO coaching team reviews the case study with the candidate and assesses the candidate’s fit for the program.
  • Superday: Candidates participate in a mock-interview format superday at SEO partner firms to gain invaluable insights and feedback on interviewing for buy-side credit roles.
  • Acceptance: Upon the successful completion of the case study the candidate is accepted into the Credit Academy Fellowship Program.