How one student is turning a passion for the stock market into real-world experience
When Ben Blankinship first became interested in the stock market, he couldn’t even open an account under his own name because he was underage. Thankfully, his dad opened an account for him and gave him $100 to experiment with.
“I don’t really know what sparked it,” he said. “But I started reading, learning and tracking what makes stocks go up and down — now I pay attention to it every day.”
Blankinship is now a rising junior at Belmont’s Jack C. Massey College of Business. As a finance and accounting major he is turning that early interest into hands-on experience managing real investments, building industry connections and preparing for a future in asset management.
Finding the Right Fit
Blankinship’s path to Belmont started with a connection long before he applied. In high school, he joined a finance club launched by Belmont finance professor Dr. John Gonas. Through his involvement in the finance club, he developed a relationship with Gonas who invited him to visit campus where he met with Massey faculty and soon determined that Belmont was the right choice for college.
“I chose Belmont mainly because of the faculty and the people in the community,” Blankinship said. “The faculty are really well connected within the business school, specifically within the finance field.”
His decision to pursue both finance and accounting was equally intentional. While finance fuels his passion for markets, accounting provides a deeper understanding of what drives business performance.
“Accounting helps you understand what makes a company strong,” he explained. “It strengthens everything you’re doing on the finance side.”
Learning by Doing
At Belmont, Blankinship didn’t have to wait to apply what he was learning. Through opportunities like the Tennessee Valley Authority Investment Club and the Bruin Fund — a course where students manage a restricted investment portfolio — students gain hands-on experience analyzing markets and managing investments.
Today, Blankinship is the TVA Investment Club president and he leads a group of students who oversee a $500,000 portfolio as part of a regional competition. In this role, he reports on portfolio changes, tracks performance and collaborates with fellow students to make investment decisions.
“It’s not just one person making calls,” he said. “It’s a team effort — pitching ideas, building investment theses and deciding together where to invest.”
The experience is as real as it gets. Students compete against universities across the region, aiming to outperform the market.
This year, Belmont’s team took first place in the competitive component of the annual conference, earning recognition as the 2026 TVA Investment Club Challenge champions.
Belmont reported that its 2025 portfolio generated an overall 15.42% profit, outperforming the market by approximately 16% and earning a performance award for the University.
The Belmont Difference
For Blankinship, one of the biggest differentiators of Belmont’s finance program is access — both to professional-grade tools and to a community that is invested in student success.
One standout resource is the Bloomberg Terminal, a platform widely used across the finance industry to monitor, analyze and trade real-time financial market data.
“This is what firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley use,” he said. “Having access to that as a student is huge. Through TVA and Bruin Fund I’ve learned how to trade on a Bloomberg Terminal and feel more prepared from going out into the real world.”
But just as valuable are the relationships he has built with faculty.
“At a lot of schools, you’re in a huge lecture hall and the professor may not know your name,” Blankinship said. “Here, every professor knows you and they’re always willing to help.”
That support often translates directly into career opportunities. Through faculty connections, Blankinship has already participated in calls with industry professionals and connected with Belmont alumni across the finance sector.
“I didn’t think I was ready for those conversations,” he said. “But Dr. Gonas believed in me and gave me the opportunity anyway.”
Preparing for What’s Next
As he looks ahead, Blankinship is exploring a future in private wealth or asset management, fields that balance analytical work with client interaction.
“I want something that’s always changing,” he said. “Something where I can adapt, think strategically and still work closely with people.”
As a double major, he’s keeping his options open for future credentials like the CPA, CFA and CFP — all pathways supported through Belmont’s flexible curriculum.
“By combining finance and accounting, I’m opening as many doors as possible,” he said.
A Place to Grow
From leading a major investment portfolio as a sophomore to mentoring younger members of the TVA Investment Club, Blankinship’s experience reflects a broader Belmont theme: opportunity meets initiative.
“If you show that you want more, Belmont will meet you there,” he said. “There’s always someone willing to help you take that next step.”
Find your fit in Belmont's finance and accounting programs.