What started as a genuine curiosity for Evan White almost 10 years ago has now become a life pursuit for this Eastern Regional High School junior.
“I just started taking interest in finance,” White said.
Now at the age of 16, White is sharing his knowledge of finances with his peers through his debut book “Common Anomaly,” designed to break down business concepts for teens. White added that the book is something he wished he had himself when he began taking an interest in finance at 8 years old.
“I was thinking to myself, ‘how much easier would this be if I had this earlier,” he said.
With his father always being a business-oriented person, White said he became fascinated with the idea of making money, turning in his later years to Bloomberg TV and books.
Among his favorite business reads is Peter Lynch’s “Beating the Street.”
“It gave a more friendly view into investing,” White said.
“Barbarians at the Gate” by Bryan Burrough also ranks high as one White’s favorites. He added that the book came as a recommendation from his school counselor, and said he enjoyed the book because of its look into the social aspect of the business world.
While a a member of Eastern’s DECA club for three years, White also finds ways to hone his financial talents as he serves as members of other clubs, such as student council, in which he has served as treasurer for the last three years. He added that his goal is to add a business-oriented position in each club for the future generations of aspiring entrepreneurs at Eastern.
“I try to make it a goal to put more accounting into it, so that people behind me can get into it,” White said.
Starting as just a hobby, White explained that “Common Anomaly” began last summer as a way for him to prepare for BizEd, a summer camp at Rutgers School of Business in Camden.
“It was more of a hobby going into business camp, and it just turned into something bigger than I thought it would,” he said.
After his team had taken first place for juniors at the BizEd competition, White elicited the help of his father to find a means to publish “Common Anomaly.” The book, he said, is aimed to help teens understand fundamental business concepts minus the heavily laden jargon found in most business books written by adults for adults.
“I knew that if I made it brief and to the point, it would be something that teens would be able to read and would want to read,” White said.
Opting to self-publish through Xlibris, White’s book has now been available for online purchase as both a paperback and an eBook since its release in mid-November.
So far White said he has received positive feedback from his peers and believes it will help his fellow members in DECA.
Among his favorite chapters in “Common Anomaly” is his chapter on futures.
“It’s complex but it makes it sound easy,” White said.
Another favorite topic of White’s is the book’s chapter on balance sheets, which he explained is the best way to deliver a snapshot of any company.
“There’s no better way of getting a feel for a company,” White said.
In addition to participating in BizEd, White also attended summer business programs at Columbia University his freshman year and Vanderbilt University his sophomore year of high school.
While still a year away from graduating, White plans to pursue a career in investment banking and is currently considering a handful of business schools, including McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and NYU Stern School of Business. In addition, White said he hopes to find an internship, although he said there are not as many business internships available to teens.
“I would like to find a job at a bank to occupy my time more effectively,” he said.
However, for now, White will prepare for Eastern’s upcoming DECA competitions. While running out of time during his presentation last year, White said this year he plans to come out on top at nationals this April.
“This year, I’m going to win it,” he said.
