As an undergraduate, Mark Houle, BA ’16 MBA ’24 MS ’24, majored in English and economics and finished his bachelor’s degree in three years. He went on to gain several certifications from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, work as a trading professional at Charles Schwab and conduct research. Today, Houle is the head of finance at Stellar, a technology-driven property maintenance company based in Dallas.

What drew you to the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business? 

I was familiar with the program from my undergraduate days. I chose the University of Dallas because of its on-campus learning, and because most classes are taught by real professionals with hands-on, relatable experience, as opposed to working primarily in theory. I was able to ask questions in class and directly apply them to my work while forming a great network and relationship with my professors. The night classes allowed me to work at the same time. 

What made you decide to pursue a Master of Science in finance?

It was only 4 more classes in addition to my MBA program, and I wanted to learn technical financial concepts that would help both my professional and personal life. I'm extremely passionate about financial literacy and helping liberal arts students learn finance, so it made sense.

Which classes assisted you in achieving successes in the industry?

All of the corporate finance and valuation classes were helpful; they taught you how to make business decisions on real options. The investment and Student Managed Investment Fund classes showed how the market would react to decisions that you learned how to make in corporate finance. I was able to apply those lessons directly to work, in particular our FP&A, and I actually used one of the three statement models we did in David Bulkeley’s class as a foundation for a restructuring we went through.

Is there any advice you would give to someone looking to join the finance industry? 

From a practical perspective, learn the basics of financial modeling. It’s very helpful to put an idea into a spreadsheet to determine its viability; it takes the emotions out of a financial decision. Next, be able to communicate what you are modeling. You could be the smartest person in the room, but if you can't explain your idea, you will be ignored. Learn to communicate complex ideas in simple terms, especially as you reach the executive level. Anyone can learn to model; not everyone can form relationships or communicate, which is a key factor in dealmaking. Finance is a very relationship- and communication-driven industry. Finally, formatting matters — trust me. 

What are your thoughts on "Y'all Street?"

This is the next evolution of DFW as a leading commerce center of the United States, and proof that the regulatory environment in Texas is creating a great place for businesses and employees.

After graduating, what is an important lesson learned at the College of Business that you’ve used in your career? 

Do business honestly. Who you choose to associate with in business is a direct reflection on you and your future success.

About the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business

The Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas has been a pioneer of graduate business education for more than 50 years. Located in Irving, Texas, the college was the first in Texas to offer an AACSB-accredited Doctor of Business Administration. Today, the college offers flexible Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Leadership, and professional education programs ideal for early to mid-career professionals seeking to advance their careers under the guidance of faculty who are both scholars and accomplished business leaders. SB Hall, which opened in January 2016, houses the college, providing students with state-of-the-art technology and practical tools to prepare them for their future career. For more information, visit udallas.edu/cob.

About the University of Dallas

The University of Dallas strives to be the premier Catholic liberal arts university in the country, known for its rigorous undergraduate Core Curriculum and robust graduate and professional programs in business, ministry, education and the humanities. According to national rankings, the University of Dallas has one of America’s most challenging, comprehensive undergraduate interdisciplinary programs, offered at an excellent value to some of the happiest students in the country. With campuses in Texas and Italy, UDallas stands apart as a thriving community of learners committed to an education that forms students intellectually, socially and spiritually for a life well-lived. For more information, visit udallas.edu.