Every ambitious young professional beginning a career on Wall Street quickly discovers that genuine mastery of the craft comes not from textbooks or theoretical training but from an ongoing process of experiential learning. The rapid, high-stakes environment of finance demands constant adaptation and growth, and skills are refined most effectively through real-world practice. For Madison Crutchfield, however, one factor in her personal background provided her with a distinct advantage as she entered the demanding world of the trading floor: her years as a Division I lacrosse player at Duke University. The habits, discipline, and mental resilience she had developed through collegiate athletics became the foundation on which her professional trajectory would be built.
Crutchfield’s journey began in the summer of 2016, when she joined Goldman Sachs as a sophomore intern. From those early days, she immersed herself in the fast-moving rhythm of investment banking and, over the course of seven years, rose through the ranks to become a vice president in equity derivative sales. She credits her steady progression not solely to technical expertise or academic achievement but to the practical life lessons and intangible strengths honed on the lacrosse field — persistence, quick thinking, resourcefulness, and an unwavering sense of initiative. Her story is far from unique among top-tier athletes who have transitioned successfully into the world of finance; as Business Insider has previously reported, Goldman Sachs has long attracted competitors whose athletic discipline mirrors the intensity of Wall Street. In a recent conversation, Crutchfield reflected on how the principles of sportsmanship and teamwork have continued to guide her in her career, recalling advice imparted by her coach and describing what she looks for in job candidates who share similar athletic backgrounds.
When asked about her experience as a student athlete and how it influenced her path toward Goldman Sachs, Crutchfield emphasized the demanding balance required by collegiate sports. Life as a student-athlete, she explained, demanded extraordinary discipline and a refined sense of time management, as academic responsibilities and athletic commitments constantly competed for attention. Yet it also offered profound rewards: the powerful camaraderie formed among teammates, shared goals that transcended individual ambition, and the enduring network of peers united by mutual effort. Through lacrosse, she internalized a rigorous mental framework that later became indispensable during networking events, internship applications, and high-pressure interviews. Today, she continues to rely on those very qualities — agility of thought, quick judgment in unpredictable situations, and the initiative to act decisively without prompting — as essential components of her success.
Drawing parallels between the two realms, Crutchfield noted the similarities between life on the trading floor and the intensity of athletic competition. Her coach’s concise wisdom — “Play fast, not hurried” — remains one of her guiding principles. The maxim, she explained, captures the delicate balance between speed and composure that defines both sports and finance. In the business of sales and trading, there is always a figurative game clock — whether she is executing an order, presenting market prices to a client, or working under tight project deadlines. The ability to act efficiently while maintaining clarity of thought distinguishes a professional who thrives under pressure. Just as in competition, the goal is to maintain momentum without losing control, to move decisively without succumbing to chaos.
When reflecting on other life lessons derived from sports, Crutchfield observed that athletics teaches an invaluable perspective on success and failure alike. Every season unfolds as a marathon rather than a sprint, reinforcing the necessity of patience, endurance, and balanced emotional regulation. She learned early on that sustained focus requires a steady temperament — neither elation at small victories nor despair at temporary setbacks. External challenges, from unfavorable referee decisions to inclement weather or logistical mishaps, were part of the journey; she recalled with wry amusement the memory of a broken bus delaying a game. These unpredictable variables taught her to respond constructively to frustration. Similarly, in the corporate world, setbacks are inevitable. True progress, she said, depends on resilience: the ability to analyze what went wrong, absorb the lesson, and prepare immediately for the next challenge. Success thus lies not in the absence of obstacles but in one’s capacity to recover and adapt.
Crutchfield also elaborated on how her athletic background shapes her evaluation of candidates entering the financial sector. When she encounters job applicants who were collegiate athletes, she immediately recognizes certain embedded qualities. Such individuals typically demonstrate a natural inclination toward teamwork and a “we over me” mindset — an understanding that individual excellence contributes to, but never outweighs, collective achievement. Team sports require commitment to shared objectives and mutual accountability, attributes that translate seamlessly into professional collaboration. Moreover, athletes often possess heightened emotional intelligence: they have learned to interact harmoniously with teammates from diverse backgrounds and communication styles. They know how to manage conflict, accept constructive criticism, and foster cohesion amid differing perspectives. They have also experienced failure firsthand and developed the resilience to recover quickly. In addition, sustained athletic involvement demands self-sacrifice — the willingness to forgo comfort and convenience in service of growth and progress.
For student athletes aspiring to careers on Wall Street, Crutchfield offered practical but deeply reflective advice. Just as they once evaluated athletic programs based on both performance quality and team culture, she encouraged them to approach potential employers with the same discerning mindset. It is vital, she said, to consider not only a company’s prestige, achievements, and measurable outcomes but also its internal culture — the sense of community, mentorship, and shared purpose that defines day-to-day life within the organization. When assessing whether a firm is the right fit, candidates should ask themselves a more profound question: Will this institution nurture me not just as a technical professional, but as an evolving human being? According to Crutchfield, long-term success comes from aligning ambition with environment — from surrounding oneself with people and values that foster both professional accomplishment and personal integrity.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-career-advice-madison-crutchfield-derivative-sales-trading-2025-10
