Charlotte DeKoning Charlotte DeKoning

Recommended Reading

Here is a list of books that I recommend to students, organized by subject matter.

Business Math

Accounting

Economics

Statistics

Excel

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An Epic Adventure in the World of Corporate Finance!

Dungeon Master (DM): "Welcome, brave adventurer, to the vast and intricate realm of corporate finance. Are you prepared to embark on a quest for knowledge?"

Player: "Yes, DM! I'm ready. What are the basics I need to understand?"

DM: "Ah, excellent! Your journey begins with understanding the three fundamental pillars of corporate finance. Picture them as powerful artifacts, each with its own mystical properties:

  1. The Art of Capital Budgeting: This artifact enables you to make long-term investment decisions. Imagine you're deciding which quests to undertake—each quest represents a potential investment opportunity like new equipment, expanding your castle, or venturing into untamed territories. The goal is to choose quests that will yield the greatest rewards (or returns) without leading you astray into dangerous, wasteful paths.

  2. The Shield of Capital Structure: This artifact concerns how you finance your endeavors. It involves choosing the right mix of debt (loans from the gold vault of the Dragon Bank) and equity (wealth from your fellow adventurers or investors). Wielding this shield effectively can protect your realm from the dangers of excessive debt while ensuring enough resources for growth.

  3. The Elixir of Working Capital Management: This potion helps you manage the everyday affairs of your kingdom, ensuring you have enough resources to cover your daily operations. It’s about balancing your potions (liquidity) and ensuring your supply of materials (current assets) does not exceed your immediate needs, preventing spoilage or wastage.

These artifacts, when used wisely, can lead your corporate kingdom to prosperity. But, beware! Each choice carries risks and rewards that you must weigh carefully."

Player: "This realm of corporate finance seems daunting, but with these artifacts, I feel more prepared. What skills and attributes must I develop to wield them effectively?"

DM: "A wise question, young scholar! To wield these artifacts, you must hone several key skills and attributes:

  1. Analytical Insight: Sharpen your mind to analyze financial statements and projections. Like deciphering ancient runes, you must interpret balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.

  2. Strategic Foresight: Develop the foresight to plan long-term strategies, weighing risks versus rewards. Think of it as mapping out your kingdom’s expansion or preparing for a siege.

  3. Resource Management: Master the essentials of managing resources. Keep your treasury balanced with enough gold to survive lean times and invest during prosperous periods.

  4. Risk Assessment: Understand and evaluate the risks associated with different types of investments and financing options. Like recognizing when a dragon's lair might be too perilous compared to its treasure.

  5. Communication and Negotiation: Build strong alliances and communicate effectively with your adventurers or investors. Your ability to persuade will be crucial in gaining support for your quests.

Gather these skills, adventurer, for they will aid you in harnessing the true power of the artifacts of corporate finance!"

Player: "Thank you, DM. With your guidance, I am ready to embark on this quest for financial mastery. Is there a final piece of advice you can offer before I begin my journey?"

DM: "Remember that the realm of corporate finance is ever-changing, much like the tides of magic in this land. Stay vigilant, continue learning, and remain adaptable. Seek out wise mentors and consult the ancient tomes of knowledge (or textbooks and courses!) to deepen your understanding. May your journey be prosperous, and may your kingdom thrive under your strategic guidance! Now, go forth, and may fortune favor the bold!"

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Mayim Bialik: How STEM tutoring helped me

 

Many may know the actress Mayim Bialik from the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory. What you may not know is that the actress has a Ph.D in neuroscience from UCLA.  Her role on the show and her scientific background give her a unique insight to the importance of STEM, tutoring, and role models for women.  Here is a quote from a National Geographic article in which Neil deGrasse Tyson follows up after Mayim states how one biology tutor gave her the confidence to advance and become a scientist.

MB: In junior high I had no affinity for math and science - and all the boys in my classes worked so much faster than I did that I just assumed that I must not be good at it. I didn’t really understand the beauty of science and math and that whole world until later in high school when this woman who was my biology tutor gave me the confidence that I could be a scientist. And after that, pursuing it in college, it was a party.
NT: This saddens me. That one single person made a life difference to you—but how many students are missing that one person?
MB: The first answer is: Many girls are. I’m sure we could run the statistics on it. And that’s because of a historical difference in the representation of women in these STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] fields and probably a cultural bias on the part of teachers and administrators. I think there’s been a shift in education since I was in school in the ’70s and ’80s, but then it was like, Oh, you’re not naturally good at math? Better try English—how’s your Chaucer?

This is why the work QuantWys does is so important. We can give women the one on one experience that doesn’t shy them away from the topics that might seem male dominated. Tutoring in any STEM topic could help pave the way for that Ph.D. However we make no promises that it will help you get on a very successful TV show!

For the rest of the interview, check out the June 2017 issue of National Geographic or see an abridged version of the conversation online here.

 
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The Value of One-on-One Tutoring

STEM education is critically important in today’s day and age. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics will be the jobs of the future .  To quote the US Department of Education, “In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know, it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. These are the types of skills that students learn by studying science, technology, engineering, and math—subjects collectively known as STEM.”

So why is tutoring so important in these areas? Tutoring, whether in a small group or individually, allows for a personalized experience that mass classroom style teaching cannot allow. In modern society, nearly everything is customizable.  You are unique.  From the burrito bowl you order at Chipotle, to the phone case with a picture of your dog Rufus on it, we all need something different.  So why should your education be any different, especially when it comes to STEM?  STEM material is complicated! Take Statistics for example. It is imperative that you know the material as what you learn will constantly build upon itself as you progress further into the semester. The teacher will have to set a pace that tries to encapsulate all students within the time they have. This can lead to some breakneck pacing that I have seen myself! But with a trusty tutor by your side, you can make sure that you are not only holding your head above water. You’re pulling yourself into the lifeboat and speeding towards the shore of knowledge!  

QuantWys can help be your lifeboat. Any level of tutoring for a wide array of topics. Accounting class in college? High School statistics class? MBA economics? QuantWys can help make your education your own.

 

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