Justin Nelson, a Tufts University alumnus from the class of ’98, has been instrumental
in bridging the gap between his alma mater and the finance world, particularly
at JP Morgan. As a junior at Tufts, Nelson faced the challenge of finding a
summer internship in the finance industry, a task made difficult by the lack of
on-campus recruiting by financial firms at the time. 

Despite these hurdles, Nelson secured an internship at JP Morgan in New York City, starting
as a web developer. His performance led to a full-time position upon
graduation, ultimately propelling him to the role of Managing Director in the
asset management division. Nelson’s experiences at Tufts and JP Morgan inspired
him to help other students navigate similar paths. 

In 2006, Justin Nelson began efforts to designate Tufts as one of JP Morgan’s
core schools. This status allows the firm to actively recruit potential interns
and employees directly from the university. Nelson’s initiative involved
traveling to Tufts, collecting resumes, and meeting with students, often
without the financial support typically afforded to representatives from core schools. 

Initially, the response was modest. However, over time, more students showed interest, leading
to an increase in the number of Tufts graduates securing internships and
full-time positions at JP Morgan. By 2009, Tufts had achieved core school
status within the asset management group at JP Morgan. Since then, over 20 Tufts graduates have
embarked on careers at the firm, thanks to Nelson’s efforts. 

Jon Trott, a 2010 Tufts graduate, credits Nelson’s dedication for his own successful internship
and subsequent full-time role at JP Morgan. Nelson’s initiative has also
fostered a strong alumni network within the firm, with former Tufts students
now participating in recruitment efforts. 

Nelson remains committed to supporting Tufts students and encourages fellow alumni to advocate
for their alma mater within their respective firms. His contributions have
undeniably strengthened the connection between Tufts University and JP Morgan,
benefiting both institutions significantly. Read this article for more information. 

More about Justin Nelson on https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinnelson