Grand Canyon University was a strong choice for finance student Bradley Robertson, ’26, because it combined technical finance training, mentorship, career preparation, affordability and a faith-centered campus community. Through his experience as a GCU finance student, Bradley says he developed leadership confidence, gained practical finance skills, secured a finance internship with a private equity firm, received multiple job offers and built meaningful relationships with professors, mentors and peers.

For prospective students considering a finance degree, Bradley’s story shows how GCU can support students who want more than classroom instruction. His experience highlights the value of mentorship, career-focused learning, scholarship opportunities and a Christian university environment that encourages personal and professional growth.

When Bradley Robertson came to GCU from Wisconsin, he was not only looking for a degree. He wanted a university that would help him grow as a leader, sharpen his technical skills and prepare him for the future he envisioned.

For Bradley, a GCU finance degree became the right fit because it paired well with his natural strengths in communication and leadership.

“I’ve always been a natural leader and have been able to communicate,” he shared. “I realized, okay, I should have something technical to be able to pair with that.”

Bradley viewed college as more than a pathway to a job. He wanted an education that would challenge him intellectually while also helping him grow personally, professionally and spiritually.

His finance degree gave him that foundation. It allowed him to build analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills while preparing for career paths in areas such as banking, investing, corporate leadership, private equity and entrepreneurship.

Bradley saw finance as one of the most technical areas within business. That made it a natural complement to his communication skills and leadership mindset.

For students who enjoy problem-solving, strategy and analytical thinking, finance can provide a strong foundation for careers that require both technical ability and sound judgment. Bradley found that the finance program offered more than classroom instruction. It created opportunities to build confidence, form relationships and develop practical skills.

One of the biggest lessons Bradley learned at GCU was the importance of staying teachable.

“I think the skill and the mindset that I had that served me well was having an entrepreneurial spirit,” he explained.

He credits much of his growth to the people around him, including professors, mentors and peers who invested in his success. Some of those mentors were even younger than him, but Bradley says setting aside his pride allowed him to gain wisdom and skills that accelerated his development.

At GCU, he found a learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, seek mentorship and take ownership of their future.

Students who want to get the most out of a finance program should actively seek mentorship early. That can include asking professors questions after class, joining business-related student organizations, attending career events and building relationships with peers who are pursuing similar goals.

Like many students, affordability played a major role in Bradley’s college decision. He had worked his entire life, but many of the schools he considered still felt financially out of reach.

What surprised him about GCU was the opportunity to attend a private Christian university out of state while still being able to afford his education independently.

“So just the fact that I could go to a Christian private school out of state and be able to pay for that myself, and within the first few months of graduating, I’ll be debt-free.”

Bradley also appreciated that GCU honored his high school GPA, which helped open additional scholarship opportunities.

For students exploring private university options, Bradley’s story highlights how scholarships, academic achievement and financial planning can make a quality education more accessible. 

Bradley stated that GCU helped expand his understanding of what was possible for his future.

“GCU has helped shape my future goals and career path by just opening up my understanding of what was even out there,” he shared.

That preparation translated into real opportunities. During his program, Bradley secured a finance internship in private equity back in Wisconsin and received multiple job offers because of the skills he developed through the program.

For Bradley, the university’s impact went beyond academics. It helped him gain confidence, experience and the ability to compete in professional environments.

Another defining part of Bradley’s GCU experience was the people.

He was deeply impacted by professors and faculty members who intentionally chose to invest in students’ lives and futures.

“After being here and seeing the amount of care that professors and faculty have … it’s mind-blowing,” he said.

As a Christian university, GCU provided Bradley with an environment where faith and education could work together. He described feeling led to GCU and believes the experience aligned closely with his personal and spiritual growth.

That sense of purpose and belonging became a major part of his college journey.

Although Bradley valued the academics, opportunities and campus amenities, he says the relationships he built mattered most.

“My favorite part about attending GCU was definitely the relationships,” he explained.

From friendships to mentorships, the community he found on campus helped shape his overall experience and personal growth.

“It was the relationships and the friendships and the community that I found above all else. It was really special.”

For many students, college becomes more than academics. It becomes a place where lifelong connections are formed, and Bradley says that sense of community defined his time at GCU.

When asked what he would tell aspiring finance students, Bradley emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who want to help you succeed.

“There is a laundry list of some of the most successful, wise, talented people that I’ve ever met,” he said.

His advice is simple: ask questions, seek mentorship and invite others into your journey.

“And if you invite them into that process, there is not a place in the country or a skill to learn that you could not.”

Looking back, Bradley says he would choose GCU again without hesitation.

Action Steps for Future Finance Students

1. Choose a program that builds both technical and leadership skills.
2. Ask questions early and often.
3. Seek mentors among professors, peers and professionals.
4. Look for internship opportunities before graduation.
5. Use scholarship and financial aid resources strategically.
6. Build relationships that support your personal, spiritual and professional growth.

Is GCU a good choice for finance students?

Based on Bradley Robertson’s experience, GCU can be a strong choice for finance students who want technical business training, mentorship, career preparation and a faith-centered campus community. Bradley says his finance education helped him build confidence, secure a private equity internship during his program, and receive multiple job offers.

Why did Bradley Robertson choose finance?

Bradley chose finance because he wanted a technical business discipline that complemented his natural strengths in leadership and communication. He saw finance as a way to build analytical skills while preparing for a wide range of business career opportunities.

How did GCU help Bradley prepare for his career?

Bradley says GCU helped him understand what career opportunities were available and gave him the confidence and skills to pursue them. During his time at GCU, he secured a private equity internship and received multiple job offers.

How did scholarships affect Bradley’s college decision?

Affordability was an important factor for Bradley. He said GCU’s scholarship opportunities and recognition of his high school GPA helped make it possible for him to attend a private Christian university out of state while working toward graduating debt-free.

What advice does Bradley give future finance students?

Bradley encourages future finance students to ask questions, seek mentorship and surround themselves with people who want to help them grow. He believes that being teachable and inviting others into the learning process can open doors to new skills and opportunities.

Explore GCU’s finance degree programs and learn more about the Colangelo College of Business to discover how you can prepare for your future in finance while growing academically, professionally and personally.