Henal Gandhi (MS Finance ’26)  Finance carries such a broad spectrum, and when most people hear the word, they immediately picture banks, investment firms, or Wall Street. Honestly, not too long ago, that was me too. But moving to New York changed everything. Stepping into the world's financial capital, I started discovering just how vast this industry really is. Beyond the headlines and the trading floors, there's an entire ecosystem of private credit, venture capital, fintech, asset management, and structured finance, each with its own world, its own language, and its own way of moving capital.  When I arrived in the city for my master's, I quickly understood one thing: networking wasn't optional. And my approach has always been there's no one right way, so do it all. LinkedIn, Handshake, cold emails, cold messages, talking to classmates, reaching out to seniors. I've tried everything, and honestly, each method has given me something. Nothing was wasted.  My f...

Sadhami Caraza has a Bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in Economics. In 2026, she completed her Master’s in Information Systems with a concentration in Data Analytics at Baruch College, transitioning recently from New York City to a corporate tax role at The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL, where she works on tax matters related to Disney+ and Hulu. What Really Motivated Her to Pursue This Opportunity at The Walt Disney Company Disney has always been one of Sadhami’s favorite companies, and she has closely followed the opportunities the company offers. When she came across the internship opportunity for recent graduates in Corporate Tax at The Walt Disney Company, it immediately caught her attention. The role was not just about traditional tax work. It also involved data management, process improvement, and working with different systems. That combination stood out to her and motivated her to apply. With a strong foundation in finance, and growing interest in how dat...

Isha Thakkar, MS Business Analytics ‘26 When I started at Homads for my summer 2025 internship, I had no background in the mid-term rental space. I found the internship on Handshake through the Blackstone LaunchPad Summer Internship Program (https://www.blackstone.com/our-impact/blackstone-launchpad/), which connects students to opportunities at Blackstone portfolio companies and startups. I didn't know what to expect. Looking back, that uncertainty turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me. Homads (https://homads.com/) is a mid-term rental marketplace that connects property owners with renters who need furnished housing for about 30 days to 12 months. That includes remote workers, traveling nurses, students on temporary assignments, and families displaced from their homes after events like fires or floods who need somewhere to stay while their insurance covers the cost. What makes Homads different from platforms like Airbnb is that it's not a booki...

Catheryn Chen, an online MBA student at the Zicklin School of Business, is making history as the first Zicklin Online MBA student to serve as President of the MBA Club. Juggling coursework, career, and leadership responsibilities, she is committed to fostering a more connected and inclusive MBA community for both online and non-online students.  From Online Student to Presidency  Although her classes are held virtually, Catheryn prioritizes building strong relationships with her classmates and staying engaged with the broader MBA community.  “Being an online student doesn’t mean being disconnected,” Catheryn said. “It’s about finding meaningful ways to engage, both digitally and in person whenever possible.”  Catheryn’s decision to pursue a leadership role was inspired by another Zicklin Online MBA student, Heather Stewart, president of the Zicklin Black Graduate Student Society. Witnessing Heather actively involved...

At Baruch College, graduate students often face a gap. Undergraduates can apply to join Baruch’s Investment Management Fund, a student-managed investment fund on campus, however before recently, graduate students did not have an opportunity to join a student-managed fund. Founded by Zicklin MBA Daniel Jordan, DogBone Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogbone-capital/) is a paper student-managed fund and was created to bridge that gap. For Zicklin MS Finance alum Pankaj Lamkhade (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ca-pankaj-lamkhade/), the fund became a platform for him to apply what he had learned in finance classes, develop stock pitches, enhance his skills, and accelerate his career. More than just a student-managed fund, DogBone Capital serves as a launchpad for growth, providing graduate students with practical experience, hands-on skills, and mentorship to help them in their journey toward competitive finance careers.  Pankaj is a finance professional with a strong foundation...

The tips listed below were created from the experiences MS Finance alums: Candas Kirnaz, Paola Cepeda, and Mahendra Waghamare had during their time at Zicklin. We hope this list helps students with some additional direction and structure on how to maximize their time and activities while at Zicklin.  Candas Kirnaz  (MS Finance ’25), Financial Analyst at Grant, Herrmann, Schwartz & Klinger LLP :   “During my MS in Finance program at Baruch College, everything on this list came from real experiences that helped me find my way as an international student in New York. Connecting with classmates, alumni, and professional communities made the biggest difference. Those relationships gave me support, confidence, and opportunities I  didn’t  even know existed.   Using resources like GCMC, career fairs, and workshops helped me understand the job market and feel more prepared. Attending immigration-focused events made the journey far less stressful. I hope this li...