Two student narratives from top business programs underscore how experiential programs and the case method are shaping finance and leadership careers. A Kellogg student described the Advanced Private Equity Experience (APEX) as a career accelerator that pairs deal exposure with sustained mentorship from practitioners; the program's practitioner‑led structure is presented as decisive in securing senior buy‑side access. At Harvard Business School a student wrote that FIN1 and the case method reawakened the philosophical side of finance—turning technical training into a discipline of judgment and service. For career‑services directors and program leads, these accounts highlight demand for sustained practitioner engagement, mentorship pipelines, and pedagogy that balances technical skill with ethical decision‑making.