Different Corners, Different Paths: How Joy Wilkinson, Ph.D., Came to Providence College
There might not be many similarities between an elementary school classroom and a managerial finance class in Ryan. And if I asked you what those two things had in common with the Alaskan Department of Labor, I bet nothing would come to mind right away.
That is, unless you know the newest finance faculty member at the Providence College School of Business, Joy Wilkinson, Ph.D.
Wilkinson was born and raised in South Korea and earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education in Seoul.
But after hearing her friends talk about this type of job being their dream, she wondered if this was right for her. She felt she should have more passion if she was going to pursue that field. She made the bold move to switch paths, which took her to Alaska.
At the University of Alaska, Wilkinson earned a master’s degree in political science. Here, she debated how to develop a career from her interests in politics and international relations.
“It’s about opportunities.”
Wilkinson decided the most practical application of this was to become an economist, where she had several different roles throughout her 16 years living in Alaska. First, she forecasted employment and economic trends for the Department of Labor. Then, she worked for the Department of Revenue where she forecasted revenue for the state based on oil. After that, she was part of a team that managed public pension funds for the Department of Treasury. She even worked for the governor’s office as a policy analyst.
Finding her way to PC
The distance from Alaska to Rhode Island is certainly far enough, but Wilkinson made stops along the way. In fact, Wilkinson’s path actually took her to all four corners of the country. She received a master’s degree in applied economics from California State University, Sacramento before earning her doctorate in finance from Florida Atlantic University. There, she used global investment datasets to research impact investing, sustainable finance, venture capital, and sovereign wealth funds.
Last fall while still at FAU, she began her job search, interviewing and accepting a position at Providence in October. During her nine months back in Florida, she found herself wondering how the people she met here were doing, what they were up to. “I felt the sense of community here,” Wilkinson said.
She continues to feel this sense of community with her colleagues and her new students. She teaches Managerial Finance II, which is great for students who want real-world cases to which they can apply the concepts they’ve learned. The course helps students practice relevant job skills. They learn equations and modeling that helps them make better decisions as financial managers.
Of course, our students can learn valuable lessons from Wilkinson’s class but just as importantly, they can learn from her story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joy Wilkinson at Providence College?
Joy Wilkinson, Ph.D., is a professor in the Providence College School of Business who teaches Managerial Finance II. She holds a doctorate in finance from Florida Atlantic University.
Where is Joy Wilkinson from?
Wilkinson was born and raised in South Korea, where she earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education in Seoul before later pursuing graduate studies in the United States.
What will I learn as a finance major at Providence College?
Providence College’s finance degree covers the traditional core areas of finance (corporate financial management, investment analysis, and financial institutions and markets) and builds on them with a liberal arts foundation and a values-based philosophy.
What are the course requirements for a finance major at Providence College?
Finance majors complete six required finance courses: FIN 210 Introduction to the Finance Profession (1 credit), FIN 218 Financial Markets and Institutions, FIN 308 Managerial Finance II, FIN 317 Investments, FIN 419 International Finance, and FIN 480 Seminar in Finance (3 credits each). They also choose one 400-level finance elective and take the standard business core requirements.
What jobs can I get with a finance degree from Providence College?
Finance majors at Providence College typically get jobs in investments, corporate finance, financial planning, or resources. Others continue their studies in law or business at the graduate level.
