Salim Alwazir ’24 applies Gettysburg education to financial services career

Salim Alwazir ’24 remembered the moment he received the phone call offering him a summer internship at Morgan Stanley.

“I remember I was in my friend’s apartment in New York over Thanksgiving,” he said. “Getting that phone call felt like everything paid off.”

That moment marked a turning point in a journey that began long before graduation — and even before he started his Gettysburg College education.

Now a full-time analyst in the legal and compliance department at Morgan Stanley’s Baltimore office, Alwazir is part of a two-year program that prepares young professionals to navigate regulatory frameworks, manage risk, and collaborate across complex financial systems. His path to the firm began through the Gettysburg Network, when a College connection introduced him to a Morgan Stanley professional. That introduction led to a summer 2023 internship, and by August, he secured a full-time offer to return the following spring.

“The faculty and staff are dedicated to students. That nurtures leadership skills in a way that can be harder to develop at larger institutions.”
– Salim Alwazir ’24

Alwazir was one of the first Gettysburg graduates to join his specific program in Baltimore, where recruitment typically focuses on large public universities. Coming from a small liberal arts college, he quickly recognized that his Gettysburg experience set him apart.

“I think leadership stands out,” he reflected. “At a place like Gettysburg, the environment is small and inclusive. The faculty and staff are dedicated to students. That nurtures leadership skills in a way that can be harder to develop at larger institutions.”

At Gettysburg, Alwazir majored in mathematical economics and minored in data science — a combination that strengthened his analytical thinking and technical skills. He credits the Economics Department with playing a transformative role in his development, particularly a research opportunity during the summer of 2022.

“It was definitely life-changing,” he said. “I learned how to manage difficult tasks and push myself in ways I hadn’t before.”

He described the support he received from faculty mentors and the Center for Career Engagement, noting how their guidance was instrumental during his academic journey and the internship application process.

“It would have been impossible without the resources offered at Gettysburg,” he said. “The College is growing, and it feels good to have been part of that community.”

While Alwazir intentionally set his sights on a career in financial services before arriving on campus, he acknowledges that his career ambitions grew through focus and adaptation. He described his sophomore and junior years as particularly pivotal, focusing on coursework while understanding that academic performance would shape future opportunities, including his interest in law school.

“That felt harder than anything else — harder than the coursework,” he said. “Once I got that, I knew if I performed well, it could lead to the next step.”

Now in his professional role, Alwazir has discovered that technical knowledge is only part of success. Patience, he said, has become one of his most important professional values.

“You interact with so many stakeholders,” he explained. “Everyone owns part of the process. You have to listen, not rush to conclusions, and be patient. That’s something this role is helping me grow in.”

As he looks ahead, including plans to pursue law school, Alwazir sees his time at Morgan Stanley as part of an ongoing journey — one defined by persistence, adaptability, and community support.

“It’s a never-ending cycle,” he said. “You reach one milestone, and then you ask, ‘What’s next?’”

That mindset continues to guide him as he builds his future in financial services.

Pursue studies in finance at Gettysburg College.

By Awa Diop ’29
Main photo by Tyler Caruso
Posted: 03/09/26