From College to Career

Your Dream Job Awaits

Professional career, recruiting, and interview coaching that empowers college students to land their dream jobs. Expert guidance for resumes, interviews, networking, and career planning.

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Our Services

Comprehensive career coaching tailored to your unique journey

Professional resume

Resume Building

Create a professional resume that highlights your unique skills and experiences, designed to catch recruiters' attention.

Behavioral interview preparation

Behavioral Interview Prep

Master behavioral interviews with expert coaching on storytelling, STAR method, and communicating your experiences effectively.

Technical interview preparation

Technical Interview Prep

Prepare for technical interviews with guidance on problem-solving, case studies, and demonstrating your analytical skills.

Technical skills instruction

Technical Skills Instruction

Build and strengthen technical competencies required for your target roles with personalized instruction and practice.

Professional networking

Networking Strategies

Learn how to build meaningful professional connections that open doors to opportunities.

Career planning

Career Planning

Develop a personalized roadmap for success with strategic career advice tailored to your goals.

Job search

Job Search Assistance

Discover opportunities and apply with confidence using proven job search strategies.

Career coaching

Career Coaching

One-on-one coaching sessions to navigate your unique career journey with expert guidance.

About Protas Edge

Helping you transition to your next era

Our Story

The name Protas is derived from the Latin term "proxima aetas", meaning "next era." It reflects our mission to guide college students as they transition into the next chapter of their lives: their professional careers.

The idea for Protas Edge was born during an annual ski trip, where friends and former Northwestern classmates Kathy Lai and Deuce Tu reminisced about their undergraduate days. As they reflected on their own experiences navigating the challenges of on-campus recruiting 20 years ago, they realized how much they would have benefited from a service to help them transition from college students to young professionals. Inspired by this realization, they set out to create Protas Edge—a company dedicated to helping students make the leap from their college era to their career era.

At Protas Edge, we understand that entering the workforce can be daunting. The recruiting process is complex, time-consuming, and increasingly competitive. From networking events to resume submissions and behavioral to technical interviews, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we've designed our services to provide personalized support tailored to each student's unique goals.

Our mission is simple: to empower college students to achieve career success. Through small group instruction and 1-on-1 coaching, we help students master every aspect of the recruiting process—from building standout resumes and acing interviews to expanding professional networks. At Protas Edge, we don't just prepare students for their first job; we equip them with the skills and confidence to thrive in their professional journeys.

Students collaborating and celebrating success

Your Success Story Starts Here

Meet The Team

Kathy Lai

Kathy Lai

Co-Founder

Kathy has been an instructor for investment banking training programs and interview prep seminars for nearly ten years. Her former students have ended up in financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Lazard, and Morgan Stanley. She previously worked at JPMorgan, Blackstone Group, and Lincoln International rising to the level of director. She earned a BA and MBA from Northwestern University. She has also co-founded and served as CFO for several successful startups.

Deuce Tu

Deuce Tu

Co-Founder

Deuce began his career in consulting after earning a BA at Northwestern University and quickly transitioned into finance, where he spent a decade as an equity derivatives trader. During this period, he earned an MBA in Analytic Finance from University of Chicago Booth. Since 2012, Deuce has focused on quantitative data analytics and data science, working with some of the largest financial datasets in the country.

Why Choose Protas Edge?

Your success is our mission

Personalized coaching

Personalized Support

Every student's journey is unique, and so are our customized solutions.

Expert guidance

Expert Guidance

Work with experienced career coaches who understand today's job market and college recruiting landscape.

Comprehensive resources

Comprehensive Resources

Access tools, workshops, and strategies designed specifically for your success.

Success stories

Proven Results

Join other students who've landed their dream jobs with Protas Edge.

What Our Clients Say

Real success stories from students who achieved their career goals

"

I loved the materials. Having structured lesson plans and slides to learn from and reference was incredibly helpful. This was also true for the case studies that I could work on independently and then discuss in session.

— Protas Edge Client
Multiple Top-Tier Offers
"

I was incredibly grateful for the level of support. Towards the end of my recruiting process, I was meeting with a Protas Edge representative every day, sometimes twice a day! This was what I really think helped me be so successful in this process and receive an offer from my #1 and #2 firms.

— Protas Edge Client
Multiple Top-Tier Offers
"

Good format, always flexible with timing and gives great advice. It was a huge help in getting my job and being prepared for interviews.

— Protas Edge Client
Multiple Top-Tier Offers
"

I am so grateful to have found Protas Edge and had this program as a resource. I now can't imagine going back and trying to navigate this process alone.

— Protas Edge Client
Multiple Top-Tier Offers
"

I got the Guggenheim offer last Wednesday, and I accelerated to get the PJT Super Day. I got the PJT offer and signed that on Saturday. Thank you so much for all of your help!! It was a big reason why I was prepared for these interviews.

— Protas Edge Client
Multiple Top-Tier Offers

Latest Job Market Insights

Stay informed about the current landscape for new graduates

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Recent Graduate Unemployment Rises

Unemployment for recent college graduates reached 5.3% in Q3 2025, with underemployment climbing to 41.8%—the highest since 2020.

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Investment Banking Compensation 2025

First Year Analyst Total Compensation

Average total compensation for first-year investment banking analysts in 2025 ranges from $150K to $275K+, including base salary, signing bonuses, and year-end bonuses.

St. Louis Federal Reserve

Young Grads Hit Hardest by Market Shifts

College graduates ages 23-27 are experiencing 4.59% unemployment in 2025, up from 3.25% in 2019—a significant increase compared to other demographics.

Read More →
CNBC

AI Reshaping Entry-Level Hiring

Only 30% of 2025 graduates secured full-time jobs in their field, as AI and automation transform the entry-level job market landscape.

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National Association of Colleges and Employers

Class of 2025 Started Job Search Earlier

Recognizing market challenges, 2025 graduates began their job search 6.4 months before graduation, compared to 6 months for 2024 grads.

Read More →
Fordham University

Skills That Make Grads Stand Out

Communication, adaptability, and AI literacy are now essential for career readiness. Employers seek candidates who can work alongside AI systems.

Read More →
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

College Advantage Narrows

The job-finding gap between college and high school graduates has narrowed to historic lows, though college grads maintain advantages in job stability and wages.

Read More →

Navigating a challenging job market? Our expert coaches help you stand out from the competition with tailored strategies for today's landscape.

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