Rock The Street, Wall Street is a financial and investment literacy program designed to bring both gender and racial equity to the financial markets and spark the interest of high school girls into careers of finance.

HERE’S THE PROBLEM

Research indicates that girls in the U.S, UK and Canada perform on par with boys in math during elementary and middle school, but their performance wanes significantly in high school/secondary school, and beyond, known as the “gender gap.” Contributing factors include societal biases, lack of female role models in math-related fields, and gender-based socialization. It’s important to recognize that this gap varies across regions and cultures.

However, solutions are evident. Research affirms that interventions boosting girls’ math and science interest yield positive results in narrowing the gender gap. Urgent action is essential. We all share responsibility in reshaping the trajectory for girls in math, spanning schools, companies, and homes.

RTSWS’ initiative revitalizes girls’ enthusiasm for math within a pivotal life phase, as they make vital choices. At this crossroads of financial independence, college decisions, and career paths, the time to make a difference is now.

WAGE & WEALTH GAP

Graph2-100

Wage Gap: Compared to white men, women make:

• White: 79 cents
• Black: 63 cents
• Latina: 54 cents

Wealth Gap: Women have only 32 cents for every
dollar owned by a man and in these terms “wealth” is
practically nonexistent for black and Latina women,
who own a penny for every male dollar.

The primary factor discouraging girls from pursuing STEM careers? A lack of visible women in those fields.

The second factor? A scarcity of female peers opting for STEM studies in their classes and social circles. It’s as straightforward as that. And this is precisely where RTSWS makes a transformative impact in every classroom of students we engage with.

STEM careers have the power to uplift individuals from poverty within a single generation.

WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR…

%

HEDGE FUND MANAGERS

%

VENTURE CAPITAL PARTNERS

%

MUTUAL FUND MANAGERS

%

SR. PRIVATE EQUITY PROFESSIONALS

WE HAVE A SOLUTION

OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE 100% FEMALE FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS 

We narrow the gender and racial wage and wealth gaps and boost girls’ interest in their financial lives and finance careers by showcasing real-world female role models in money management. RTSWS sparks high school girls’ enthusiasm for finance, expanding their horizons beyond stereotypes. Over 6,000 girls have completed our program since 2012, reshaping the financial landscape.

Change who we invest in to change what we invest in.

OUR OUTCOMES

Served more than 6,000 female high school students in the US, UK
and Canada.

On average, our alumnae have shown a 71% INCREASE in financial and investment literacy.

5x

RTSWS alumnae are pursuing finance, economics and related degrees at 5X’s the rate of an average female university student.

OUR STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

73% of our students are
from BIPOC populations.
50% of our students are
from low-income households.

RTSWS ON THE TODAY SHOW

The most memorable thing that I learned from RTSWS is to be open to any direction or option as a career path. Before, I used to automatically write off finance because I believed that since I was not good at math I could not succeed. RTSWS taught me that there is so much more to a career than the initial assumptions we place on it and that really broadened my perspective.

Angelina M.

Panther Creek HS | 2020 Grad | Raleigh, NC

I am a sophomore at NYU Stern School of Business and I’m majoring in business with a concentration in finance. I actually found two internships through RTSWS. Last summer, I interned at BlackRock and this summer, I interned at Franklin Templeton. I loved both of those internships and getting to really understand the financial sector. From these internships, I found out that asset management is a field I am really interested in.

Tiffany H.

Stuyvesant HS | 2020 Grad | New York, NY

RTSWS mentors provide invaluable support by offering college and career guidance to our students. We’re transforming the student-to-guidance counselor ratio from a staggering national average of 482:1 to a remarkable 2:1. This transformation reverberates through our students’ college and career paths and life journeys, particularly benefiting those from underserved schools.

Our dedicated female volunteers contribute essential social capital, connecting students who might otherwise remain distant from professionals in the financial sector. As we build student cohorts among the girls, industry connections dismantle obstacles that have historically hindered women’s entry into STEM-related financial professions.

There are four programs to our academic year-long model including financial
project-based learning. 

1

2

Fall-Wall-Street-Experience-Day-Field-Trip

3

Spring Mentorship

4

ACC

RTSWS Alumnae and Career Center

The RTSWS Alumnae and Career Center is our newest addition to the program model. This hub serves as the epicenter for forging peer-to-peer student and alumnae connections, nurturing professional growth, and perusing the latest internship or job opportunities.

Our students gravitate towards financial careers for one compelling reason – they’re now informed about them. The Alumnae and Career Center extends a remarkable chance for our students to secure internships and embark on entry-level, high-paying STEM roles through partnerships with over 70 corporate entities. Beyond imparting knowledge and skills to unearth girls’ potential as investors, RTSWS paves the way to a gratifying finance career.

Furthermore, employers, sponsors, and organizations can utilize the Alumnae and Career Center to announce upcoming student events, recruitment sessions, and to post internships and entry-level positions.

LOCATIONS

RTSWS offers its programming in over 60+ high schools across 30+ cities in the US, UK and Canada, with interest coming in from over 70+ cities to bring it to theirs. 

Learn how your company can bring Rock The Street, Wall Street to your city. Click here.

CFA MEMBERS ON WHY THEY SUPPORT RTSWS

In their own voice, hear why CFA® Members support RTSWS and learn how you can, too!

ROCK THE STREET, WALL STREET M&A CASE STUDY

Rock the Street, Wall Street and J.P. Morgan partnered to give our New York City high school students an opportunity to work on a real Mergers and Acquisitions Case Study.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

CONTACT US ON HOW YOUR SCHOOL OR COMPANY CAN GET INVOLVED

Rock The Street, Wall Street is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity.
Privacy Policy

Careers at RTSWS