July 15, 2026
Meghan O'Toole
Ian Villardi Venturini Barbosa '26 turned networking into a Goldman Sachs job offer
When Ian Villardi Venturini Barbosa '26 arrived at Lake Forest College from Brazil, he knew he wanted a career in finance. Inspired by his father's work as a businessman, he began investing at 14 and even started a surfboard resale business to fund his investments.
After four internships and years of building experience, Villardi Venturini Barbosa is starting his career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in the Executive Business division. While his coursework as an economics and data science double major provided technical skills, he says the most valuable lesson he learned was the importance of building genuine relationships.
“People tend to think networking is superficial, but it's really a way to build relationships,” he said. “To be interesting, you have to be interested.”
Villardi Venturini Barbosa credits Lake Forest's economics faculty with helping him build a strong academic foundation while gaining experience through internships at Menthor Investimentos – BTG Pactual, Alley Company, Morningstar, and Goldman Sachs. Connections made through Lake Forest proved instrumental, including alumni who introduced him to professionals at Goldman Sachs and supported him throughout the recruiting process.
Villardi Venturini Barbosa believes students must create opportunities early by seeking internships and connecting with alumni. The College’s Gorter Family Career Advancement Center provides students with career advising, networking opportunities, and resources.
“My advice is to start early and be consistent,” he said. “Build genuine relationships, stay curious, and keep putting yourself in situations where you can meet people. Those relationships can make all the difference.”