From Math Teacher to VP Global Commercial Banking: Lessons from Salman Poonawala’s Career Transition

Salman Poonawala, a master's in finance graduate from the Zicklin School of Business (Class of December 2022), shows that bold career pivots are possible with passion and perseverance. A former eighth-grade math teacher at New Heights Academy Charter School in Harlem, Salman now serves as a Vice President in Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America, supporting clients in healthcare, education, and the nonprofit sector. 

In this blog, he shares his journey from teaching to finance—his pivot process, early banking challenges, key lessons from Baruch, and the payoff of staying focused and prepared. Salman also reflects on his future goals and how he hopes to continue making meaningful, purpose-driven impact. 

From Teaching to Finance 

Salman spent four years teaching eighth-grade math at a school serving largely low-income, Spanish-speaking students. “It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” he said. “My students made real progress. Many passed their state exams after being several grades behind.” 

Teaching has always been his passion. As a student, he paid close attention to creative and inspiring educators. I want to remember that for when I’m a teacher someday. At NYU, he majored in Economics, served as a teaching assistant at NYU Stern, and tutored SAT students—experiences that deepened his love for education. 

But Salman was equally drawn to finance. “I’ve always been curious about the world,” he shared. “But I’m a numbers guy at heart. A career in finance lets me combine that analytical mindset with problem-solving.” Finance also runs in his family: his father spent nearly three decades at Deutsche Bank before launching a venture capital firm, and his brother works in venture capital as well. “My dad is my role model. I’ve always admired how he approaches business and leadership.” 

While teaching was a call, Salman always knew finance would be his long-term path. “It was something I wanted to experience for a set period of time—and I think I did it well—but banking was where I saw myself in the future.” 

Pivoting and Lessons from Baruch 

Transitioning from education to finance wasn’t easy. “You have to be very intentional,” Salman emphasized. “You can’t just apply for a few jobs and expect your dream opportunity to appear. You must prepare, get the right education, and stay disciplined.” 

For Salman, that meant pursuing a master’s in finance at Zicklin, which provided both technical knowledge and credibility. “I wasn’t just walking into banks as a former teacher saying, ‘I want to be a banker.’ I had two and a half years of intentional preparation and skill-building behind me,” he said. 

He also leveraged the Graduate Career Management Center—networking, refining his resume, and preparing for interviews—breaking the process into manageable steps. “Focus on one thing at a time, and it becomes manageable,” he advised. 

Salman credits professors for shaping his perspective. Professor Anthony Karydakis taught him about the global economy, while Professor Eve Siegel’s Behavioral Finance class showed how psychology influences financial decisions. 

Early Banking Career: Citizens Bank and Oil & Gas 

After graduating from Zicklin, Salman began his banking career at Citizens Bank in Boston through the Commercial Banker Development Program (CBDP). The program included two business-line rotations that took him outside of the New York City comfort zone; Oil & Gas Corporate Banking in Houston and Distressed Debt in Boston. Salman thrived during his Oil & Gas rotation, discovering a deep interest in the industry’s complexity and capital-intensive nature – an experience he would not have easily been able to have had he not moved out of New York to Texas. 

Upon completing the CBDP, he joined the Oil & Gas Underwriting & Portfolio Management Team in Houston, where he spent the next year and a half. “I loved that job—and the oil & gas industry overall. It was my first position in banking, and it gave me experience,” he said. 

While he enjoyed the work, Salman ultimately wanted to return home to New York City. That decision led him to Bank of America, where he joined the Healthcare Corporate Banking Team as a Vice President. 

The Challenge — and the Payoff 

The hardest part of the pivot? Volume. “I probably applied for over 200 banking jobs. My story was different from most candidates, so it took persistence,” Salman shared. Career pivots require dedication and consistency. “You can’t apply for 15–20 jobs and expect to land your dream one. It unfolds over a few months. Keep applying, improving, and refining. The right company will see your value.” 

That persistence paid off. Salman began as a Credit Analyst in Energy Corporate Banking at Citizens Bank before moving to Bank of America as Vice President in Global Commercial Banking, specializing in healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors. “Every rejection and every interview prepared me for this opportunity,” he said. 

Today, he helps clients access capital, expand relationships, and achieve growth. Transitioning energy to healthcare requires learning a new sector, but he enjoys the challenge. “Healthcare is fascinating. It’s numbers, but it’s also deeply tied to improving lives. Many of our clients literally save lives. Using financial tools to support institutions doing meaningful work is inspiring.” 

Even early in his role, Salman is eager to deepen his expertise. “I want to master healthcare corporate banking. There’s a lot to learn, and I’m excited for the challenge.” 

Advice for Students Pivoting Fields 

Salman’s advice: with strategy and commitment, a career pivot is achievable. 

• Step 1: Get the right education—build a foundation that shows employers you’re serious. 

• Step 2: Leverage resources like GCMC and networking opportunities. 

• Step 3: Stay disciplined—apply consistently, even when it feels endless. 

“Baruch gives you the tools, and everything you need is at your fingertips—you just have to take action. Don’t limit yourself to what’s immediately around you. There’s a big world out there. Explore it,” Salman encourages. 

Looking Ahead 

Now back in New York City, Salman is eager to deepen his expertise in healthcare corporate banking. “Every day I learn something new about how hospitals operate, how reimbursement works, and how financial structures can support better patient outcomes. It’s challenging, but exhilarating,” he said. 

Reflecting on his journey, he added, “I loved teaching, but I wanted to go into banking. It was tough, but persistence and preparation made it possible. The fact that I get to do what I love every day is what drives me.” 

Salman’s story shows that with focus, preparation, perseverance, and the right support, even ambitious career pivots are achievable—and can lead to meaningful, purpose-driven work.