Students on the Blog: Q&A - Careers in Finance

MS Information Sytems Anh Nguyen

MS Information Systems student Anh Nguyen connected with Baruch alumnus Joe Nelson (BBA ‘10 Finance and Investments. Minor: Computer Information Systems) to talk about his work in finance, some of the key skills he uses in his work and other thoughts on how he got to where he is.

What have you been doing since graduation (where you’ve worked, changing interests/positions/companies, etc.)?

I've worked at a few different companies across the buy side and sell side, in both technology and business-side roles. My main focus has been on electronic and algorithmic trading, and associated functions such as quantitative research, transaction cost analysis, and market microstructure.

What do you think are some key lessons or skills for someone specifically trying to work in technical operations in finance?

Joe Nelson BBA '10 Finance and Investment

The financial services industry relies heavily on technology, so business, product and technical knowledge are needed. Knowledge of different asset classes, as well as how and why to invest in them, is also important. On the technology side, even if you aren't going to be a developer or engineer, experience with various languages and concepts is extremely useful. On a regular basis, I leverage my experience with SQL and relational databases, scripting languages such as Python, data manipulation tools such as Excel (including VBA for macros), and some object oriented programming in Java and C++.

What general qualitative skills are financial firms looking for?

In trading specifically, we are working on the scale of nanoseconds and microseconds, so above all, a sense of urgency and strong time management/prioritization are important. You need to be able to navigate high-pressure situations and properly triage problems as they appear. On a similar note, communication skills are also needed. You have to know your audience, present your points clearly and concisely, distill and break down concepts that might be highly technical or financial in nature, and get the appropriate messages across. Finally, being eager and willing to learn is another soft skill that will help your career. Financial services is a constantly changing industry, whether it's through regulatory reform, technological advances, or other outside factors. Staying up-to-date on these changes will help you in your daily role and will keep your resume and experience competitive if you want to make a career move.

You have a couple certifications related to trade execution. What prompted you to pursue these and what role have they played in your career?

I hold a number of FINRA Series licenses related to securities trading, and risk management and compliance. These were sponsored by my employers, and are needed for performing some of my daily tasks. For example, the Series 57 license is for equity trading, and I use this regularly to execute trades across both cash equities and associated derivatives. Additionally, the Series 24 license makes me a registered principal of the firm, and comes in handy for risk and compliance. I use this when I am reviewing new trading strategies or changes to existing trading strategies, when I am modifying risk and exposure limits, when I am monitoring margin or other capital-related matters, or when I am representing the firm in discussions with exchanges or regulatory bodies.

How do you approach networking and how valuable is it to create your own network?

I look at networking more as a way to cultivate relationships and knowledge, versus simply using it as a way to get my resume in the door at a company I'd like to work for. I think it's very valuable to create a network of long-term, deep relationships with people who have similar career paths and who can share their experiences and lessons learned with you. Most of all, it's important to let your own skills and experience speak for themselves. One of my career moves was made possible through a connection in my network with whom I had collaborated extensively in the past. She knew what I brought to the table and was able to make a strong argument for bringing me in for an interview and ultimately extending me an offer.

What preparation work do you do for interview or meeting with potential employers?

Aside from knowing my resume front to back, I make sure to do my homework on the company - who they are, how and what they trade and invest in, any recent news or major changes to the company, and any competitive advantages they may have versus other companies in the same space. This helps to answer the questions like "Why do you want to work here?" and "What do you know about our firm?", while also giving you a better idea of what kind of product or technical questions they might ask. Another important prep item is to come up with follow-up questions on both the company and the specific role. This is your chance to decide whether the job and firm are a good fit for you. Your interviewers are trying to discern whether you are the best candidate to fill an opening, but you need to have as much information as possible to determine if the position fits into your medium- to long-term career goals as well.

How did your curriculum at Baruch set you up for success in your career?

My coursework at Baruch - a major in Finance and Investments, coupled with a minor in Computer Information Systems - gave me a broad base of knowledge on both the business and technical aspects of the career path I've been on for the last seven years. Courses such as Investment Analysis and Corporate Finance broke down the core financial concepts that I encounter on a regular basis, and my CIS classes focusing on Excel and programming were primers for the quantitative skills that I use to parse data and automate daily tasks. Outside of the classroom, involvement with events and organizations on campus helped me to network with students and professionals, fine-tune my resume and interviewing skills, and learn more about various aspects of the industry.

Q&A: Information Session Tips

Eva Law MS Accountancy

“Being on the recruiting side after having been a student can be an eye opening experience.” That’s what MS Accountancy student Eva Law got to see this past fall.

Baruch is very proud of its relationship with AIG’s Internal Audit Group, which Eva joined in 2016. She was also part of the firm’s career information session this fall to talk with students about what it’s like to work there and answer any questions. We asked Eva what it was like being on the recruiting side, and any insight she might want to share with students.

When you were a student, what was it like for you attending career information sessions?

I remember feeling that career information sessions were oftentimes overwhelming. There were so many students and recruiters in attendance and as a student you try to collect as much information as you can, but often feel pressured to stand out with everyone we meet, which is hard with so many people in the room.

What was it like being on the recruiting side when you were here this fall?

It was definitely a new experience for me.  Being able to answer questions about the internal audit profession and what students would be doing if they joined our team felt great. I enjoyed sharing details of what the role may entail and some of the skills that could help them become successful in internal audit (e.g., strong verbal and writing skills, professional skepticism). These conversations tended to be more meaningful than focusing on the application process (deadlines, dates, interview process, etc.).

What type of impression did you get from students?

Students were enthusiastic and expressed genuine interest in learning about the company’s corporate culture as well as the internal audit function itself.  There was even one student who was too young to apply for our internship, but she still attended the information session just to learn more about AIG.  I offered to connect with her on LinkedIn and become a resource for her.  I’ll remember her for sure.

As students, we are eager and anxious to learn about what awaits us when we join the work field, so students are expected and encouraged to come to these events with many questions which is an indication of enthusiasm and preparation.  However, students should be cautious of the timing and frequency of their questions during the information sessions so their interest is not interpreted as overly aggressive.

In addition, some of the questions asked felt scripted and generic.  The more students can go “off script,” the more impressive it is.  Some students exclusively relied on a visible list of questions on their notepads and struggled to build a natural conversation flow.  As internal auditors, we prepare for stakeholder conversations with some questions and topics that can help us learn about their processes in order to plan our audit work accordingly, but we typically don’t walk in with a script and ask questions in an interrogation style that disrupts the conversation flow.

In your opinion, what do you think works in the internship search process?

Students should not approach every interaction with recruiters and professionals with the goal of getting a job from it.  If that’s the only goal, it may not work. What worked for me was focusing on developing organic relationships with recruiters and professionals.  By organic, I mean pursuing interactions to get to know each other and learn what we could both bring to the table.  To give an example, I didn’t land an interview from attending my first career fair, but I found myself a mentor who has provided me with invaluable guidance since then.

Students on the blog: An Alumna Working in Data Science and Analytics

Jingqiao (Ciao) Huang (MS Quantitative Methods and Modeling '17) interviewed alumna Shivani Trehan (MS Statistics '16) about her role as a Data Scientist, thoughts on networking and what some key skills students should be thinking about are.

Jingqiao: Shivani, thank you for meeting with me today. Let's start with your current job. Can you please share a bit about your current role at your company?

Shivani: I work for Assembly (Media Arts and Sciences). I work as a Data Scientist for the Analytics and Data Science team. I am working across different accounts and servicing different clients depending on the need. My work involves media-mix modeling and other forms of predictive modeling. I also work on other data analyses as and when they are required.

Jingqiao: How did you find this job and what preparation work or steps did you do or take to land there?

Shivani: I reached out to the EVP, Data Science and Analytics team on LinkedIn and told him that I was looking for work. I wrote out a personalized message talking about my profile and the work that I had done previously. He set up a time to meet with me. After I met with him, I got a call from HR to interview with the team. I met with three senior people of the team and interviewed with them. I was hired a week later.

Jingqiao: So it was you who initially reached out to the company. Would you mind sharing some networking and interview tips, because I believe many students have tried to reach out to professionals on LinkedIn but failed to move to the next step?

Shivani: Sure. I strongly suggest that you reach out to people on LinkedIn. Write customized messages. Register on meetup.com and Eventbrite, go to meetups. Talk to people, tell them about your interests and keep in touch. Follow up with people. Ask for informational interviews. Reach out to everyone in your network. Remember that everyone started somewhere.

Jingqiao: Going back to your job. What's the biggest lesson you have learned after working there?

Shivani: Everyone is dispensable. Senior-level, junior-level - doesn't matter. The right attitude at work is very important. Be friendly and professional with everyone. Don't be a pushover but go out of your way to help colleagues and team members. These things are always remembered. Be hungry to learn new things. Be willing to put in extra hours when needed. Take care of your physical and mental health.

Jingqiao: Looking back on where you have come to now, how did the Baruch MS in Statistics help you in your professional journey?

Shivani: The MS Statistics degree was the right choice for me because data analysts and data scientists are currently highly in demand. The professors at Baruch are definitely top notch. Just off the top of my head, Professor Gross, Professor Tatum, Professor Ali Koch and Professor Rad were some of my favorites. There was so much to learn from them but not enough time. I wish I could spend more time just studying the courses all over again.

Jingqiao: The last question. What advice could you share with Baruch graduate students who want to become data analysts or work in the media industry? What are the key qualities or skills companies are looking for?

Shivani: Learn programming. Learn SQL, R and Python. Get good at them. Get internships in the media industry. Most media companies have summer internship programs. Make sure to apply to all of them. Do some courses on Coursera or EDX relevant to the media industry. Get some industry certifications like Google Analytics Certification.

Students on the Blog: Q&A with a Digital Marketing Manager Alum

By Bin Feng, MS Accounting ‘18

For people outside of the marketing field, it’s easy to think that marketing merely means poster designs, advertisements or event promotion. Few of us, however, understand the digital side. In an era of globalization and new technologies, digital marketing professionals make use of data analysis to understand customer preferences and create targeted promotional materials. Last week, I interviewed Li Yang (MS Marketing ’16), a Baruch College alumnus of the MS Marketing Program, to talk about what it is like working as a Digital Marketing Manager.

Q: Hey Yang, first thing first, thanks for your time for this interview. Shall we start by you sharing your role in your company?

A: Hi Bin, you are welcome! I’m the Digital Marketing Manager in our company. My role is mainly comprised of four parts: one, budget planning for marketing campaigns and public-relation events; two, predicting and planning monthly orders based on our sales on e-commerce platforms; three, supervising expenditure and performance of digital marketing promotions, and; four, choosing media companies and key opinion leaders to build up our long-term promotional partnerships. Sounds interesting?

Q: It does, sounds more interesting than I thought. So in your position, I am curious, what kind of professional skills and personality traits are required?

Li Yang (MS Marketing ’16)

A: Photoshop, I would say, is the most basic skill nowadays that anyone working in the marketing or advertising field must possess. Because my job is more related to digital marketing, I also need to use Google Analytics and Google AdWords Manager, which give you timely feedback on your promotions on Google. Other common skills like Excel, PowerPoint and website management (content management systems) are also important. In terms of personalities, it’s important to be patient and detail-oriented. When there are fashion events, for example, we can have several different roles and be responsible for many things at the same time. So we need to keep our mind focused and make sure everything is on track. If somebody is easily rattled, I doubt they could deal with the working pressure. Being creative would also be helpful. Creativity is the blood of marketing.

Q: Do you think your studies at Baruch equipped you with those skills effectively?

A: Baruch gave me a lot. I remember I learned how to supervise digital marketing campaigns, and practice social media and search engine marketing when I was at Baruch. Now these things have become my job. I also joined a student society where I practiced how to manage and promote websites. That experience prepared me to manage our company’s website, which is an important part of our brand image and shares the latest information about our products and events with customers.

Q: I agree. Studying at Baruch has been one of the best experience in my life. Would you share some suggestions about how to find a satisfying job?

A: Well, I think your own personal interests is one of the most important factors that you have to consider when applying for a job. If you work on something that you are not interested in, you will probably lack motivation and give up easily when facing obstacles. It’s also important to do significant research about the industry you want to enter. For example, what skills and traits are needed, what’s the career path and what is the future of that particular industry? Another suggestion that could be helpful is to try to develop relationships with alumni. Most of them are very friendly and willing to share insights with you.

Q: Those are very helpful and practical suggestions. Thanks for sharing! I’m also curious, have you seen any changes or new trends happening in your industry, in terms of technology and business models?

A: Yes. My company is a fashion company so there are new trends every day. With regards to technology, personally I think data analysis and analytics, such as the relationship between consumer disposable income and preferences, will be completed by AI more and more. Humans are not able to collect and process huge amounts of data, and they can oftentimes be subjective. Materials for our clothes are also changing fast. We already invented and produced glowing dresses that are absolutely eco-friendly. Last but not least, fashion is turning more and more to wearable devices－ you see Apple is putting huge recourses on the R&D of Apple Watch. In the future, we might also see Apple earrings or Apple necklaces.

In terms of business models, I think all famous brands are putting more and more resources into the Chinese market, which places millions of orders every year. So we are trying to assimilate some Chinese cultural elements into our products. And I think that’s why my role in our company is important. Part of my digital marketing work focuses on Chinese customers so that our designers know their preferences clearly.

Q: That’s true, fashion is indeed a fast-changing industry. I think you must face intensive pressure from time to time. Could you please share what are the most difficult aspects of your work? And what are the most rewarding ones?

A: Sure. As I mentioned before, we have lots of events every year and New York Fashion Week is the most important one. During Fashion Week, I’m super busy and the pressure is intense. I have to not only control our budget and make sure our show is great, but I also make sure we communicate with online and traditional media efficiently so that our design concepts are fully and clearly expressed. In addition to that, we also need to help our VIP guests arrive on time while trying to avoid any emergencies. If something does happen, we have to solve it immediately and calmly. But at the end of events, I always feel a great sense of achievement when our work is valued by experts. I am really lucky to be on a team with great colleagues.

Students on the Blog: Site Visit to JetBlue for LGBTQ Pride Month

By Gennaro Aliperti (MS Marketing '15)

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and in honor of this occasion, JetBlue invited a group of Zicklin students for a site visit at their headquarters in Long Island City. The visit was co-organized by the Zicklin Graduate Career Management Center and Baruch’s Graduate Pride Society, and included a panel discussion from senior leaders in the company followed by a speed networking session.

The panel consisted of four individuals who work in different functions of the company, including Marketing, Finance and Operations.

The conversation began with a reflection of each panelist’s experience with a mentor and how this had led them to their current points in their career. A lot of the panelists didn’t start their career with a clear path in mind, but they all agreed that finding mentors that are similar to them gave them room to speak candidly about their interests. Ultimately, these honest relationships helped them build the networks that led them to success.

Later, they were asked about their experiences working as LGBTQ+ individuals. They agreed that hiding who they were in the workplace was a difficulty they’ve all had to face. What helped them through it was having mentors and allies they could speak to in order to stay focused on their goals. They all expressed that JetBlue has been extremely supportive and because of that, they’ve never feared being open about their experiences in the workplace.

After the panel discussion, all of the participants moved to smaller tables where we networked with JetBlue employees in a “speed-dating” style. I was able to speak with four, individuals and each discussion left me with a new perspective on my experience. During my session, I was asked:

1. What is your biggest fear?

- My response was, failure. I recognize how being a perfectionist has often hindered me from starting new projects, or taking the next step in my life or career. My perseverance and diligence have led me to success, but being hesitant at every step is something that I constantly have to overcome.

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

- I hate this question, and thankfully I wasn’t asked this directly, but the discussion centered on creating a game plan for the future. The idea of planning so far ahead is daunting for me, but I was taught that thoughtful employers want to know where you’re going so they can assess if their company can help you on your journey.

3. Who is your ideal employer?

- I had a difficult time responding to this because I haven’t been doing much research recently. The
advice I got was to think about my interests and list 30-40 companies where I could see myself thrive. From there, I should tap into my network (colleagues, friends, alumni), and find out more about the careers available and what the company culture is like. This will help me identify where I need to apply, who I need to speak to and what position would be ideal.

4. What’s holding you back?

- This discussion was the most personal of the bunch. The individual I was speaking with had a background in Psychology, so naturally she tapped into my feelings and began the analysis. After mentioning my previous discussion about fear of failure, she delicately reminded me that this particular fear – and most fears we all have – don’t actually exist. I learned that by letting these fears manifest themselves in reality, I’m holding myself back from creating relationships that will help me move forward.

My biggest takeaway from the speed networking session was that to get where I need to be, I need to start sharing my interests and vocalizing my goals with people who understand my experience. Being open about myself and discussing personal topics like my fears was scary, but each person I met at JetBlue was able to connect with me on a level that I haven’t had at other general networking events. Instead of worrying about how my appearance, voice or mannerisms would distract these professionals, I felt safe enough to let go and show a side of myself that is difficult to express in a professional environment. I got a taste of what it is like to have a sincere discussion with a mentor, and the straightforward feedback they gave me helped me visualize my path and gave me the encouragement to start proactively pursuing my goals.

I’m extremely thankful to JetBlue, especially the Talent Management & Diversity team and the company’s JetPride Crewmember Resource Group, for letting all of us experience an environment where we could openly and honestly talk to about our career goals, life experiences and specific LGBTQ+ issues without fear of judgement. Everyone I met only showed me compassion, kindness and support, for which I am extremely grateful. JetBlue showed me that even a corporate office can be a safe space for us to thrive in the careers we love.

Students on the Blog: Wunderman Agency Challenge at Baruch

By Rahul Gupte, MBA ‘18 

 

Julius Caesar once said that “Experience is the teacher of all things.” Throughout my formal education and career, I tried very hard to ‘learn’ and ‘study’ marketing and advertising. However, after taking part in what was one of the most wonderful, insightful, thought provoking and self-realizing experiences that I have ever had during the Wunderman Agency Challenge at Baruch College this fall, I realized that just learning and studying marketing and advertising is not enough.

Through the Challenge, Baruch students had an opportunity to build a team to compete in a unique case competition by working on a creative brief presented by the agency. The Wunderman brief was simple: re-imagine the digital experience of one of the agency’s clients in an effort to increase direct consumer acquisitions through the organization.

Our approach was a systematic one: identify target consumer personas through data collection and analysis, map out current customer journeys and uncover possible pain points through each step of the buying process, formulating a marketing strategy and having the relevant measurement metrics in place. We were very focused on producing a quality piece of work, but what we knew little of was just how much we were going to learn through the entire journey.

A Real Project for a Real-World Client
First, and what I believe was most important, was that the Wunderman Agency Challenge was not a textbook case-study that was theoretical in nature. This was a real project for a real-world client, and hence we were able to get first-hand experience in dealing with agency expectations, client goals and the nature of projects in a major advertising agency.

Second, not only were we experiencing the ad world, we were working in it. Kevin Katz, Director, Marketing and Business Development and Account Director at Wunderman, was our assigned mentor who worked with us throughout our conceptualization and execution stages. Kevin was a critical sounding board who brought seasoned experience, having worked on numerous campaigns and a variety of clients. He helped us approach not just the assignment in the Challenge, but really every role and assignment we take on hereafter with a point-of-view that is unique and relevant.

Members of the Wunderman New York leaders holding on-site meetings with student teams to flush out their competition ideas and presentations.

Lessons and Take-Aways
As an MBA student, the biggest take-away for me from the Challenge was developing a new perspective and self-awareness. I learned about the strengths and weaknesses I have which now help me better position myself in a team environment. I also learned the value of having diversity within a team, not just in terms of cultural backgrounds but also in terms of skills.

Each of my team members contributed in their own unique way and the whole was larger than the sum of all parts. Experience really is the teacher of all things. The Wunderman Ad Agency Challenge was a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and my peers, and I am thankful to the Wunderman team and Baruch College for making this initiative possible.


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Rahul Gupte is a current MBA student graduating in 2018. His team was one of nine Baruch student teams that competed in the Wunderman Agency Challenge at Baruch College from October 5 to November 2, 2016. Rahul’s team was the winning graduate student team in the competition.

Interview strategies

Great news, your resume has been received, job application accepted, you made it to the top selection of candidates & now you have been scheduled for a job interview.

Now what? 

How do you prepare? What can you expect? How to follow up?

To assist you in these questions we have created a 3 part video:

PART 1: BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

PART 2: THE INTERVIEW

PART 2: AFTER THE INTERVIEW