A common refrain within the equipment finance industry is that no one ends up in equipment finance on purpose. Most entry-level employees have little awareness of this $1.3 trillion industry, and because formal college curricula rarely include it, the potential career path remains largely unknown. The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Campus to Career programs address this gap with resources including academic scholarships, internships, and university partnerships to develop academic curricula. The ready-made industry overview presentation gives equipment finance professionals the chance to take an active role in raising awareness and recruiting at colleges and universities. This laser focus on students is part of the Foundation’s outreach initiatives and aligns with ELFA’s three-pronged workforce approach of Attract, Train, and Retain, which has proven to be eye opening for students—and the presenters.
Attracting the Eyes of the Future
The Campus to Career presenters EL&F spoke to all found that most students they met with had never heard of equipment finance, and agreed that one of the most rewarding aspects of their presentations was seeing how engaged the students were once they learned about the industry.
“Programs like this are incredibly valuable because they introduce students to a career path they may not have otherwise considered,” said Matt Vazzana, CLFP, RVP – Vendor Finance, Huntington Technology Finance, a division of The Huntington National Bank. “The presentation quickly turned into a real dialogue with the students asking thoughtful questions about career paths, the role finance plays in supporting businesses, and how the industry is evolving based on current events (like AI). This new generation brings fresh ideas and perspectives that will benefit our industry tremendously.”
Bruce Winter, Chief Operating Officer, Peapack Capital Corporation, has made a number of Campus to Career presentations over the years. “All universities have robust career centers to help students navigate the job market, and our industry is almost never represented in these circles,” he said. “The Campus to Career presentation is an effective way to communicate the opportunities within our industry, which is critically important as our graying industry will see even more departures in the future.”
In her experience giving a presentation, Victoria Clifford, SVP Sales & Marketing at MAZO Capital Solutions, recalled how engaged the students were once they understood what equipment finance is and the size of the industry. “The energy in the room was really exhilarating, and the Q&A portion alone lasted more than 40 minutes,” she said. “It was exciting to see the students making the connection and the genuine curiosity that followed once they realized the scale of the opportunity in this field.”
For Jeff Dicosola, Sales Manager, Great American Insurance Group, and Vice Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees, it has been personally rewarding to volunteer his time to do Campus to Career presentations. “Some students I presented to have been awarded Foundation scholarships, and some have interest in interning and joining our industry,” he said. “It’s also fun to meet young people and go back to school for a day.”
Matt, Bruce, Victoria and Jeff offered their top takeaways to help you prepare for your Campus to Career presentation:
Tips for Your Campus to Career Talk
- Keep it practical and relatable. Explain what equipment financing is, how it helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow, and then connect it to real-world examples. Students respond much more when they can see the impact the industry has on everyday life.
- Bring a co-presenter. Asking a colleague or industry peer to join you brings additional professional and company perspective making it more fulfilling for students (and more fun for the presenters).
- Leave plenty of Q&A time. That’s often where the most meaningful interaction happens. Professors are also supportive and eager to make their students aware of the industry, while relating the conversation to topics covered in their course.
- Set a goal to participate this year! In 2025, 22 equipment finance professionals and 15 colleges and universities participated in presentations attributed to the Foundation’s Campus to Career program. Let’s set a new record in 2026!
- Reach out to the Foundation. The Foundation has all the tools you need for your presentation, including the ready-made, easily-adaptable slide presentation, introduction letters for the college or university, and promotional support for your visit. [email protected]
Tell a Student
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation is now accepting applications for its scholarship program to attract students to the equipment finance industry. Ten scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded to full-time undergraduate and full-time graduate students. Apply by April 17. Learn more
