HWS News
7 August 2026 • Alums • Outcomes From Debate to Data: Rahman ’26 Launches Career at Bloomberg
Economics, debate and experiential learning prepared Lamia Nur Rahman ’26 for a role in Bloomberg's competitive Analytics & Sales program.
When Lamia Nur Rahman ‘26 first arrived on campus, she knew she enjoyed analyzing complex issues and communicating ideas. What she didn't know was that those interests would eventually lead her to Bloomberg, one of the world's leading financial information and technology companies.
This summer, Lamia accepted a position in Bloomberg's highly competitive Analytics & Sales program, where she will begin her career supporting clients who rely on the Bloomberg Terminal for financial data, market insights and specialized analytics.
The role combines two areas that have defined much of her experience at HWS: quantitative analysis and client engagement.
"The work is both technical and people-facing, which is exactly the combination I was looking for," she says.
Her interest in Bloomberg developed long before she entered the recruiting process. As a high school debater at the European Standard School in Dhaka, Bangladesh she regularly followed financial and economic news through Bloomberg Originals and became familiar with the company's influence across global markets. Once at HWS, conversations with alumni and upper-class students helped transform that familiarity into a career goal.
"Watching seniors go through recruitment and hearing from alumni about their experiences gave me a much better understanding of the company and the opportunities available there," she says. "The more I learned, the more certain I became."
Several HWS experiences helped prepare her for the opportunity. Among them was her Econometrics course with Professor of Economics H. Evren Damar, which she describes as one of the most influential classes she has taken.
For a major project in Damar’s course, she analyzed market performance in the renewable energy, oil and gas sectors during periods of trade uncertainty. The experience strengthened her understanding of financial markets while providing practical experience working with data.
"That project gave me a real foundation for understanding how markets behave," she says.
Outside the classroom, debate was equally significant in her development. Through countless rounds of competition, she learned how to think critically, communicate clearly
and remain composed in high-pressure situations, skills that were important in Bloomberg’s recruiting process.
"Debate has been one of the most formative parts of my time at HWS," she says. In 2024, Lamia and her debate partner Sandeep Tissaaratchy '26 finished 17th in the world at the World University Debate Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Her involvement with the Finance Society and early engagement with Career Services also helped her navigate recruiting and connect with professionals working in the industry.
Looking back, she credits HWS with helping her develop a balance of analytical thinking and interpersonal awareness.
"HWS pushes you to be analytical and empathetic at the same time," she says. "Being able to think critically while genuinely considering the people on the other side of the conversation is something I'll carry with me throughout my career."
Over the summer, she relocated to New York City to begin her career.
"It's a mix of excitement and nerves," she says. "New York is a big move, but knowing I have friends and family already there makes the transition feel a lot less daunting."
She encourages current students to take advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
"Start early and don't let fear of rejection keep you on the sidelines," she says. "People are often more willing to help than you think, but you have to be willing to put yourself out there."
