Hedge Funds and Private Equity

This nine-day seminar introduces high school students to the world of finance, investment, and alternative asset management, blending foundational concepts, interdisciplinary perspectives, and real-world career exposure. Students begin with the core building blocks — savings, investment, compounding, diversification, risk and return — before exploring how markets function, why they may or may not be efficient, and where opportunities arise for alternative investments such as private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. Through case studies, interactive group exercises, and guest speakers, students will see how allocators like endowments and pensions decide where to put capital, how asset managers develop and employ their investment strategies, and how various disciplines such as economics, statistics, psychology, history, and government play an important role in markets and the day-to-day activities of those who work in the finance industry. The course will conclude with frank career reflections, preparing students to think critically about their own interests and the attractions and considerations of the various potential career paths they may choose to pursue.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, students will be able to: 

1. Define the core concepts of hedge funds and private equity, including their purposes, structures, and strategies.
2. Differentiate between hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and other investment vehicles.
3. Explain how hedge funds and private equity influence companies, industries, and the global economy.
4. Analyze simplified case studies of investment decisions and their outcomes.
5. Evaluate the ethical and social implications of private investment, including risk, regulation, and impact on communities.
6. Reflect on personal interest in finance and identify pathways for pursuing business or economics in college.

Hands-On Activities

Possible activities include: 

• Investment Simulation (Paper Portfolio): Students are given “virtual” capital to allocate between hedge fund strategies (e.g., long/short equity, global macro) or private equity deals, then track outcomes using simplified models.
• Case Study Discussions: Analyze famous examples (e.g., a turnaround via private equity, a hedge fund shorting a stock) through guided readings and group debate.
• Role-Play Activity: Students take on the roles of fund managers, investors, regulators, and company executives to negotiate a simplified buyout or investment decision.
• Concept Mapping Workshop: Build a visual map that links hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and public markets to illustrate the broader financial ecosystem.
• Capstone Mini-Project: In small groups, design a pitch for a mock private equity or hedge fund strategy, summarizing goals, risks, and potential impacts.

Guest Speaker Q&A

Hear from Dartmouth alumni, Tuck Business School Faculty or local professionals in finance who can demystify the industry and share career pathways.



Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.