A Scholar’s Journey to Private Equity and Giving Back

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Miguel Rincon’s resume features more than a dozen roles spanning private equity, NGOs, nonprofits, and local government. With this wealth of professional experience, it is all the more impressive that Miguel is a 21-year-old Scholar set to complete his bachelor’s degree this spring. 

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Miguel’s most recent achievements:

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• Private Equity Summer Intern at HarbourVest Partners
• Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Success and Edge Participant
• Completed a fully-funded research trip to Colombia, promoting conflict resolution through soccer
• Accepted a full-time position as Private Equity Analyst at FVLCRUM Funds upon graduating from Tufts University

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This is the power of a college education filled with robust internship opportunities. Miguel credits Steppingstone with setting him on the path, and he is already focused on giving back—to our community and to the world at large.

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A Steppingstone to Opportunity

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As a first generation college student of Colombian heritage, Miguel appreciates that his parents prioritized education from an early age, enrolling him in reading programs and extracurriculars while researching strong schools. However, financial barriers and other obstacles made the path challenging. With extra support from Steppingstone, he later scored high on the Independent School Entrance Exam and enrolled in his top choice: The Roxbury Latin School. 

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“It’s a really big commitment,” Miguel says of Steppingstone. “But the way I like to think about it is that if you make that investment early on, it will pay dividends for the rest of your life.”

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At his new school, Miguel flourished academically while juggling varsity sports, art, volunteering, and leadership roles. Meanwhile, he gained early work experience through two opportunities at City Hall and an entrepreneurship program at the Veronica Robles Cultural Center. 

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He remembers that Steppingstone helped him to write the resume that landed his first job, and gave him practice with interviews, shaking hands, and wearing professional attire. “I think that makes a huge difference when you’re older,” Miguel reflects. “It made me comfortable and confident interacting with people who came from different backgrounds than mine.” 

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Building a Career in Private Equity

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Miguel’s mother instilled an entrepreneurial mindset. “Whenever my brother and I needed money as kids, my mom would tell us, ‘Go earn it,’” he recalls. “We started small businesses—selling fruit drinks, running a car wash, and even organizing a soccer tournament.”

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This early exposure to business fueled his interest in finance. While at Tufts University studying international relations, economics, entrepreneurship, and film, Miguel secured an international trade internship at the Department of Commerce. He soon realized he wanted to explore the private sector, which led him to HarbourVest.

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“I would sit down in the morning and read through the recent deals, trying to learn what made businesses stand out, learning about their competition, their industry, and its trends,” Miguel reflects.

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“At the end of the day, every business is a story. I want to work in private equity because I enjoy learning about new businesses and being able to work with management teams that come with different stories and different backgrounds.”

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Now, Miguel is preparing to start his first full-time role at FVLCRUM Funds, a private equity firm that aims to create generational wealth by investing in minority-owned businesses. Long-term, Miguel aspires to work in diplomacy or start his own non-profit organization using soccer for social impact.

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A Commitment to Paying it Forward

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For Miguel, success is not just personal—it’s communal. As he describes, “every single one of my achievements…feels like an achievement for the rest of the family.” Soon to be a Steppingstone Alumnus, Miguel is committed to mentorship and supporting the next generation of Scholars.

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“Words can’t express how grateful my family is for the program. It always just felt that my family won the Golden Ticket when Steppingstone became a part of our lives…So I just wanted to throw it out there, that I would love to help any student with any questions.”

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Miguel has already given back to the Steppingstone community by volunteering for six years as an admissions ambassador, and even connected Steppingstone with HarbourVest, leading to an official partnership. HarbourVest now supports Scholars by providing career exposure, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, helping to open doors for future leaders.

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As Miguel embarks on the next chapter of his career, he stands as a testament to the impact of education, mentorship, and unwavering support. His journey serves as an inspiration—not just for future Steppingstone Scholars, but for anyone who believes in the transformative power of opportunity.

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