Isaac Abbott ’27: Summer Investment Analyst at Selkirk Partners, L.P.

Selkirk Partners, founded in January of 2008 by managing members Stewart Strawbridge, Christian Amundsen, and Thomas Oatman, is a global long/short equity fund with ~$338MM in assets under management. The firm aims to leverage deep research and independent thinking to identify attractive investment opportunities across industries and geographies. 

Over the ten-week period, I worked on a variety of projects that exposed me to a range of asset classes and all different facets of the investment process. I spent time doing a deep dive into Selkirk's top holding, Carvana Co. (CVNA), reviewing short reports and equity research to build a perspective on the stock's future potential. I gained exposure to real estate investing in the multifamily, office, and industrial sectors through reviewing models and speaking with industry professionals, highlighted by a trip to Portland to meet with the Boulos Company to better understand market dynamics in Maine. I engaged in consistent discussions and research aimed at identifying the potential use-cases of AI and which companies are best positioned to integrate the technology into their business model profitably. And finally, the summer concluded with a capstone project where I selected an equity, built a pitch deck using the valuation, financial modeling, and research skills I had developed, and presented it to the other interns and Mr. Strawbridge, receiving valuable feedback on both my analysis and delivery.

Through this experience, I discovered how much I enjoy the process of researching companies, evaluating industries, and forming investment theses. I found the work incredibly rewarding, and it sparked my curiosity at every turn. Along the way, I built technical skills in valuation, investment research, and financial modeling, while also sharpening softer networking skills such as the ability to ask thoughtful questions and connect with professionals on a personal level. The experience affirmed for me that being on the buy-side in an investing role is certainly something I will aim to pursue post-grad. 

For me, the highlight of this internship was the opportunity to connect with and learn from Bowdoin alumni working across different areas of finance. Over the course of the summer, I had coffee-chats with alumni such as Marc Zimman, Mike Pendy, and Franklin Reis, along with many others who generously shared their time and insights. These discussions gave me valuable perspective on the breadth of career paths within the industry and reinforced the importance of building lasting relationships while at Bowdoin. I am especially grateful to Mr. Strawbridge for organizing these conversations and making them a central part of the internship.

Internship funded by Robert S. Goodfriend Summer Internship Fund