Employment Reports | Full-time MBA Stories

“Prior to joining Stern, my professional background was primarily in corporate accounting and finance, with experience spanning both the US and China. During this time, I frequently observed the internal M&A teams leading transactions, which sparked my fascination with mergers and acquisitions. This exposure deepened my interest in the complexities of deal-making and strategy, ultimately motivating my pivot towards investment banking. Having lived and worked in New York City during the early stages of my career, choosing Stern for my MBA was a natural decision. The school's unparalleled location, coupled with its well-established reputation in finance, made it the ideal place for me to pursue my goals. Throughout the recruiting process, I received invaluable support from MBA2s, the Graduate Finance Association, and the Careers team, which reinforced my belief in the collaborative and supportive culture at Stern. What I value most about Stern is its strong alumni network and the comprehensive resources it offers for investment banking recruiting. From workshops and training sessions to mock interviews, the resources provided by Stern have been instrumental in my career development. I was fortunate to secure a summer internship with Morgan Stanley's Financial Institutions Group in New York as an Investment Banking Summer Associate, and I have since accepted a full-time return offer with the firm. Eager to give back to the community that has supported me, I signed up to be a career mentor and have enjoyed sharing my experiences with the next class of MBA students. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to provide guidance and support to those navigating the recruiting process, much like the help I received when I was in their shoes.”

“I grew up in The Gambia, where I witnessed both economic plight and community perseverance. Seeing how limited access to education and opportunity affected growth inspired me to pursue a degree in Economics, where I began exploring how business can drive sustainable development and equity. Before Stern, I worked at Intel as a Business Analyst for the Dell account, managing supply chain operations and strengthening partnerships across engineering and logistics. Later, at American Express, I worked in Product Management for Digital Wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, helping expand access to secure and inclusive digital payment solutions for millions of customers. At Stern, I have deepened that focus through both leadership and career development. As a Career Mentor and student leader, I have learned to connect strategy and purpose in tangible ways. The Careers team has been an essential part of my journey through IGNITE workshops that strengthened my storytelling, mock interviews that built my confidence, and countless coffee chats that turned advice into action. I have also been grateful for the support and peer guidance of my classmates in the Association of Hispanic and Black Business Students and the Stern Technology Association, whose collaboration and encouragement have shaped my growth. Stern has empowered me to transform curiosity into clarity and purpose into progress. I am now focused on building a career in marketing and product strategy using innovation and technology to expand access, inclusion, and opportunity on a global scale.”
 

“I came to Stern from an unconventional path. Before business school, I was a concert-cellist trained at The Juilliard School, where I was a Kovner Fellow and Teaching Assistant. My career took me to Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and gave me the chance to perform with artists like Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell. Years of performing taught me discipline, precision, and how to stay steady under pressure; teaching taught me how to communicate complex ideas clearly to any audience. Over time, I became increasingly curious about the strategic and financial decisions that shape long-term careers, institutions, and individuals. I realized I wanted a path where analytical rigor and relationship-building were equally important, and where I could work closely with clients on decisions that genuinely matter. That realization led me to business school. At Stern, I focused on building strong financial and analytical skills while leveraging the interpersonal strengths I developed through music. With the support of classmates, MBA2 mentors, and the Careers team, I found the right fit in J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where I interned on the Financial Sponsors Team, serving private equity clients. This role combined the pace and complexity I was looking for with the client-focused, problem-solving aspect that aligns with how I naturally work. Over the summer, I analyzed private equity portfolios, collaborated across investment and credit teams, and helped design tailored strategies for founders and partners. The work reinforced that my background of attention to detail, listening closely, preparing with intention, translated directly into finance. At Stern, I give back through mentoring and supporting peers through the recruiting process, and I’m grateful for how the community has shaped my transition. The MBA program has allowed me to bring together the discipline of my artistic training with the analytical foundations needed for private banking, and it has set the stage for the next chapter of my career.”
 

“Prior to Stern, I built my career at the intersection of engineering and strategy, working across both internal and external consulting functions in the specialty chemicals and materials industries. After graduating with honors from Clemson University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, I began my career at SIKA USA, a specialty chemicals company, where I led capital projects, process improvements, and post-merger integrations spanning operations, R&D, and digital transformation. Eager to broaden my impact in more client-facing, strategic work, I transitioned into external consulting, focusing on strategy and growth development, advising global chemical, materials, and nutrition clients on competitive landscapes, expansion, market due diligence, and partnership development initiatives. Recognizing the importance of a strong business foundation to complement my technical and analytical expertise, I pursued my MBA at Stern to deepen my strategic and leadership capabilities. During my time at Stern, I interned at Deloitte Consulting, where I focused on fintech strategy with an emphasis on AI implementation, enhancement of integrated planning systems, and the evolution of digital competencies. The support of the Careers team, Career Fellows, and fellow MBAs was instrumental throughout my recruiting journey, from refining my narrative to preparing for consulting interviews. Beyond recruiting, my experience at Stern has been transformative. I’ve immersed myself in clubs, coursework, and experiential learning opportunities, including projects with start-ups through endless frontier labs and a study abroad program in South Africa. As a Career Mentor, MCA Admissions Senior Vice President, and SWIB Wellness Senior Vice President, I’ve found immense fulfillment in helping others navigate their own journeys while strengthening the vibrant, collaborative culture that defines Stern. I’m deeply grateful for the people, mentorship, and experiences that have shaped my time here and excited to continue building on them in my post-MBA career.”
 

“Prior to Stern, I worked in the fintech industry across client success and strategy roles, helping financial institutions in the US, UK, and Canada adopt innovative lending and credit-risk technologies. While I loved working at the intersection of technology and finance, I realized I wanted to gain a stronger foundation in corporate finance and capital markets to drive impact at a broader, strategic level. At Stern, I’ve focused on both finance and sustainable business, two areas that align with my goal of helping financial institutions innovate responsibly. I’ve found the community here to be collaborative and deeply supportive. I took full advantage of having multiple mentors and peer prep groups to navigate the investment banking recruiting process. The guidance and encouragement I received at Stern from classmates, alumni, and mentors was instrumental in helping me secure a summer internship at Morgan Stanley in the Financial Institutions Group. Now as an MBA2, I'm Vice President of Admissions for both the Latin American Business Association (LABA) and the Graduate Finance Association (GFA) and I mentor MBA1 students through LABA, Careers, and EmpowHer, a group for women in Sustainable Finance. These roles have allowed me to give back to the Stern community and learn from my peers. Looking ahead, I’m excited to build on my Stern experience as I join Morgan Stanley full-time, continuing to mentor others and prepare for a career that bridges my fintech background with my passion for finance and responsible growth.”

“Before joining Stern, I had a background in engineering and machine learning and worked as a quant at Bank of America on the mortgage risk modeling team. As much as I enjoyed the technical aspects of my work, I found myself increasingly drawn to the strategic, client-facing dimensions of finance, which ultimately led me to pursue investment banking. When I began looking into business school, Stern quickly became the clear choice for my MBA. I already had close friends who had attended other NYU schools, so I had long been familiar with the university’s energy and community. But it was the admitted students’ weekend that truly solidified my decision—Stern’s emphasis on EQ was unmistakable in every student I met, and I knew this was the environment where I wanted to spend the next two years. At Stern, I’ve focused my academics on Finance and Sustainable Business while becoming deeply involved in campus life. Serving as President of Stern Follies has been one of the most defining parts of my MBA experience. In this space, I discovered a passion for creative work, and collaborated with an incredibly talented and supportive group of classmates. I also found community through the EmpowHER cohort, whose members share an interest in sustainability within the world of finance. The investment banking recruiting process was intense, but the support from Stern made all the difference. From the structured preparation offered by the Graduate Finance Association to the mentorship from MBA2s and the Careers team, I always felt guided and grounded throughout the journey. I am thrilled to be joining BNP Paribas full-time as an Investment Banking Associate in their New York City office after I graduate. I also had the opportunity to spend my fall semester abroad at London Business School, an experience that broadened my global perspective and allowed me to engage with a vibrant, international community. I’ve enjoyed being able to pay things forward, make lifelong friends, explore the world, and push myself both personally and professionally. These two years have been nothing short of transformative, and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

“Growing up, I was always passionate about music. I was a true fangirl, joining street teams and making friends based on a shared love of artists and their work. In college, I realized that passion could become a career, though I wasn’t yet sure what that would look like. After graduation, I joined Creative Artists Agency through its mailroom program and later moved to Columbia Records, where I worked in A&R Administration. Those operations-focused roles gave me a front-row seat to how both the live and recorded sides of the industry function, from budgets and contracts to creative delivery. They also helped me better understand my strengths and where I wanted to make an impact. But I wanted more. I wanted to be more involved in the development of artists and their release and fan engagement strategies. I came to Stern to pivot toward artist strategy and explore how technology can strengthen fan engagement and open new revenue streams for artists. Stern has been instrumental in helping me make that transition through courses that merge marketing and innovation, consulting projects with major entertainment companies, and a community of classmates equally passionate about creativity and impact. I also wanted to experience the startup side of the industry, so I interned at a tech startup in a strategy role and now serve as Operations Manager for The Drop House, a creative venture launched by a former colleague. At Stern, I’ve been able to connect the dots between creativity, technology, and strategy, turning my early love for music into a purposeful career centered on empowering artists and the communities that support them.”
 

“Prior to Stern, I worked in Transaction Services conducting financial due diligence for cross-border transactions, and in Corporate Development, leading acquisitions throughout South America. During these years, I always had the MBA dream in the back of my mind. Once I felt I had gained enough relevant experience to transition into investment banking, I quickly recognized that Stern was the perfect fit for me, thanks to its unbeatable campus location and the extensive Stern network on Wall Street. During my time here, I’ve been fortunate to have a supportive group of friends, as well as mentors from the Graduate Finance Association (GFA) and the Careers team. Their guidance helped me navigate the recruitment process and provided invaluable support during both the challenging and rewarding moments. After countless coffee chats, corporate presentations, invite-only events, and hundreds of thank-you emails, I secured a summer internship at Goldman Sachs with the Cross Markets Group, and I will be joining the team as an Investment Banking Associate after graduation – a dream come true. Now, as I enjoy my second year in New York City, I’m committed to giving back to the Stern community by mentoring fellow students through both the Careers team and the GFA, providing MBA1s with the same guidance and support that helped me successfully transition to banking.”

“Prior to Stern, I spent several years working in supply chain technology design and implementation. My work focused on both optimizing warehouse operations and implementing new technology that helped retailers and distributors improve efficiency and scale. I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with clients to solve operational challenges and lead projects that made measurable business impact. Over time, I realized I wanted to broaden my perspective beyond process optimization and focus on the strategic decisions that guide how companies adopt new technologies and transform their business models. That motivation led me to pursue my MBA at Stern. At Stern, I’ve learned a lot through my specializations in Strategy, Finance, and Management of Technology and Operations, but the community here is what has made the MBA experience truly special: a tight-knit, collaborative, and ambitious group who is always willing to help each other grow. Through the recruiting process, the Careers team, mentors, and Management Consulting Association invested an incredible amount of time and effort into helping me be well-prepared to succeed in the recruiting process.  With all of the investments that Sternies made into me during my recruiting process, it has been a great privilege to serve as a Career Mentor and give back to the community that helped me so much. Upon graduation, I’ll be joining Bain & Company as a Consultant in their New York office.”

“From an early age, I knew that my career would be rooted in the arts, which inspired me to study art history in college and pursue opportunities that would allow me to bring creative and analytical thinking together. Prior to Stern, I worked for Christie’s as a Senior Object Intelligence Researcher in the Postwar & Contemporary and Impressionist Modern Art departments, where I collaborated closely with specialists to prepare debriefs for top executives, surveying competitors’ marquee sales and synthesizing research on artwork, buyers, sellers, and business terms. This strategic role allowed me to play a part in shaping the auction house’s financial and client strategy each season. Seeking to deepen my quantitative acumen and develop broader strategic skills, I chose to pursue my MBA at Stern, excited to eventually bring these experiences back into the auction world. From the outset, Stern’s collaborative culture became evident with MBA2 mentors and the supportive Careers team helping me confidently navigate recruiting for consulting and leadership development programs, which I saw as the ideal way to gain cross-functional exposure. That support led to an internship at Citibank, where I served as a Leadership Associate in the Consumer Bank, focusing on credit card acquisition strategy. Throughout my time at Stern, I have been fortunate to give back as a Career Mentor, an active member of student government, and a VP of Admissions for the Management Consulting Association. The encouragement and inspiration from this community have made my Stern experience deeply fulfilling, and I look forward to continuing my growth in the coming year and beyond.”

“Before attending Stern, I worked as a Merchandise Planner at Abercrombie & Fitch and Warby Parker, where I enjoyed blending creative and analytical skills. During my time in retail, I became increasingly aware of the lack of sustainable practices within the industry, particularly in the supply chain. This realization sparked my desire to pursue an MBA to gain the strategic, sustainability-focused skills necessary to help businesses adopt more environmentally friendly practices. I chose Stern for its renowned Center for Sustainable Business, its prime location in New York City, its access to a wide range of industries, and its dynamic culture. When I arrived, I was touched by the warmth and support I received from students, clubs, and the Careers team. Although initially unsure of my short-term career choice, I found the Stern community eager to help, offering one-on-one time to discuss my interests and goals. With focused guidance and access to an array of resources, I successfully navigated the consulting recruiting process and secured an internship at McKinsey & Co. in New York. There, I developed my ability to think strategically, prioritize tasks, and collaborate with industry experts. My experiences at Stern and McKinsey have provided me with the toolkit and network to one day start my own sustainability-focused business. Now, as a career mentor, Management Consulting Association (MCA) study group leader, and board member for the Social Impact and Sustainability Association, Stern Women in Business, and the MCA, I feel incredibly grateful and honored to be part of this extraordinary community I proudly call home.”

“As I entered my senior year of college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. To be honest, I still don’t, but back then I really didn't know. I was interested in just about everything, so consulting felt like the natural next step for me. An opportunity to explore all the different industries and business challenges that I was curious about felt like a perfect fit. I joined Deloitte right out of school as part of their Strategy and Analytics practice in New York City. Functionally, I did a bit of everything, but on the industry side of things, I quickly found a home within Media and Entertainment. There's something so fascinating and compelling about how these companies operate and the types of problems they're solving. One of the reasons I came back to school, and why I chose Stern specifically, was an opportunity to dive deeper into Media and Entertainment and learn what a career in the space could look like. Thanks to the infrastructure created by the Careers team, along with professional clubs like the Entertainment, Media, and Sports Association, I've been able to do just that. I never utilized the resources at my disposal in undergrad, and I didn't realize how silly that was until my first meeting with Stern's Careers team. The guidance and insight they've provided has not only helped me better understand the landscape of Media and Entertainment but has also given me a clear path to advance my career. They've connected me with invaluable resources, exceptional mentors, and incredible opportunities, allowing me to build a strong foundation for my future in the industry.”

“I came to Stern with a strong foundation in healthcare technology and management consulting. I was a Software Engineer at Philips’s Healthcare Innovation Hub, followed by a role as a Senior Consultant with Deloitte. At Philips, I helped build software applications for MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound machines. While at Deloitte, I helped large-scale businesses in areas involving Organizational Design, Performance Improvement, Workforce Transformation, and Compensation Strategy. My decision to pursue an MBA at Stern was driven by aspirations to further sharpen my consulting expertise and expand my focus across new geographies. Stern’s strong presence in the consulting industry helped me stay true to my career aspirations. My mentors at Stern helped me transition from a generalist consultant to a specialist, and the depth of Stern’s consulting-focused curriculum helped me arm myself with advanced tools and frameworks to solve a broader range of business issues. From the start of my MBA program, the Stern Careers team proved to be one of my strongest pillars of support. With my career mentors, I had access to numerous one-on-one mentorship sessions. Whether to draft the perfect resume, craft my networking pitches, or a comprehensive interview preparation boot camp, support from the Careers team was a game changer in my recruitment journey. After going through the structured hiring process at Stern, I was thrilled to accept a Summer Senior Associate position with Strategy& (PwC) in their New York office. I plan to return to Strategy& full-time, continuing my consulting journey within their Enterprise Strategy & Value practice while specializing in the Financial Services industry.”

“I came to Stern from an unconventional path. I studied art history and visual arts as an undergrad and loved it, but I knew I wanted to pursue a career in business. My favorite part about studying art was learning about people, which compelled me to begin my career in tech sales. I enjoyed selling various tech products and meeting all kinds of clients, but eventually, I hit a wall. I wanted to develop the technical skills to advance my insights and career overall. After going back to school during the pandemic, I made a significant career pivot to become a data analyst at a fintech startup. In this role, I learned so much being knee-deep on the technical side of an intricate fintech product. However, I found myself yearning for a role that would combine both my client-facing, qualitative background with my quantitative skills. I was thrilled to attend Stern knowing that I could stay in New York and hoping to pivot my career once again. Coming to Stern, I was clear with the core values I wanted in my next job: cross-functional exposure, interesting and challenging work, and good people and culture. With immense help during my first year from MBA2s, my peers, and initiatives by the Careers team, I landed an internship in corporate finance at Marsh McLennan’s Finance Leadership Development Program. I had an amazing time and am glad that I have many opportunities to give back to the Stern community, including working as a career mentor and being in careers-oriented verticals in the Management Consulting Club and the Social Impact and Sustainability Association. I couldn’t have asked for a better MBA experience and am deeply grateful for the support of the Stern community.”

“Attending business school was not always the obvious next step in my career. At the time of receiving my offer to attend NYU Stern, I was approaching my eighth year at a Big Four consulting company, where I was incredibly fortunate to be working with some of the top firms across the financial services industry. On paper, it seemed as though I was gaining all of the right experiences to advance my career—and yet I could not fight the nagging feeling that something was missing. Accountability has always been important to me, but the nature of the consulting business inherently limits the level of ownership you ultimately have. Client work is interesting and impactful, but the client ultimately owns the output. As I considered my long-term career path, I was hungry for a role that filled this gap. So, I took the leap to join Stern, excited about the opportunity to retool and challenge myself. To say that Stern has provided me with the right opportunities to achieve this goal is an understatement. From the start, I was immediately impressed with the quality of my classmates, professors, and the education I was receiving. Participating in the Stern Technology and Private Equity/Venture Capital Associations and leveraging the Careers team for recruiting preparation, company networking, and offer negotiation provided me with the structure needed to navigate an otherwise intimidating recruiting cycle. Club involvement also provided a strong community of students and alumni who were interested in the various nuances of the industries. I found all of these resources so impactful in my first year at Stern that I took on Co-President and Career Mentor roles in my second year to pay it forward to those just starting their recruiting journey. The decision to join Stern, while initially uncertain, has changed the trajectory of my career. I am thrilled to be moving back to the West Coast to take on a Product Manager role at Visa upon graduation, and I credit Stern, my classmates, and the entire network for the opportunity. Stern gives so much to both its students and alumni, and I am proud to be a Sternie for life!”

“Prior to Stern, I spent several years working in project management in the construction industry. My work ranged from ground-up construction to renovations of existing spaces, with a focus on the utility infrastructure space. I enjoyed leveraging my engineering background and applying my skills to help clients complete the projects that were critical to their long-term strategic plans. While I enjoyed my time in construction, I wanted to further develop my business acumen and have an impact across organizations. This desire led me to pursue an MBA at Stern and an internship in consulting. With an engineering degree, I felt that I wanted to help businesses navigate complex problems and lead them on the path to continued success. Stern has an incredible breadth of resources to support the goals of all students and gave me the confidence to navigate the complex recruiting process successfully. I have enjoyed the organizations I am a part of and the people that I get to share my time with. Each class of MBAs is filled with talented individuals who challenge you to be a better version of yourself! This past summer, I interned at Deloitte and will be joining the firm full-time upon graduation.”

“Prior to Stern, I worked in Account Management across various creative agencies, where I honed my client management skills, learned to manage a diverse team and executed strategy & creative campaigns. While I was passionate about the work, I was interested in moving to the client side to have more ownership and direct impact on brands. From creating my target company list to interview prep, I was consistently connecting with the Careers team and larger Graduate Marketing Association to ensure I was prepared and felt confident each step of the way. This past summer I interned at MARS Wrigley in Brand Management and am thrilled to be returning full time after graduation!”

"I started my career at a creative agency in San Francisco, building brand voices for tech startups and learning how strategy and storytelling move people. I later went in-house at Cint, a consumer insights platform, where I rotated through a variety of marketing functions including leading digital campaigns, global communications, and customer retention. Through that experience, I knew that I wanted to own a brand P&L and work in consumer products. Stern has been an incredible bridge to that goal. From day one, Careers, the Graduate Marketing Association, and the Stern Technology Association helped me to navigate the marketing recruiting process. Every member of the Stern community, from students and professors to alumni, has been so supportive to help me achieve my goal of becoming a brand manager. I spent my summer at Colgate-Palmolive and will return full-time after graduation.”

“My journey has been defined by versatility and a relentless pursuit of meaningful impact through strategy and technology. I started my career with a strong foundation in finance, earning my undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos. My early career experiences taught me the rigor of professional settings and the importance of quantitative decision-making. However, I quickly realized my true passion lay in building and growing businesses, whether as an entrepreneur or working closely with company executives as a strategist. I professionally started to seek more strategy-focused roles, and when the pandemic temporarily froze corporate hiring, I channeled that passion into entrepreneurship, successfully launching a male fashion business. This experience sharpened my ability to execute strategic plans, drive growth, and understand the customer experience firsthand. This pivot was transformative, leading me to corporate strategy, where I worked as the Head of Corporate Strategy at a financial asset management firm. In a defining period, I volunteered to take on product management duties despite no prior experience, successfully working in dual roles and confirming my belief that technology is the essential vehicle for modern business strategy. Coming to business school was a highly deliberate career choice for two reasons: to deepen my strategy expertise, which allows me to build cross-functional strategies across diverse industries and to immerse myself in a truly global and diverse environment, learning and growing alongside peers from all corners of the world. The Careers team at Stern was my strongest resource. I walked into the program thinking my resume was competitive, but they provided the crucial guidance needed to refine it until it truly reflected my achievements and told a compelling story. The beauty of the team is the personalized support. I was able to connect deeply with a career coach on the team who helped me reroute my industry focus. This guidance significantly boosted my confidence and provided the firsthand insights needed to successfully navigate the rigorous interview process. I was able to secure my summer internship as a Business Intelligence Intern at a healthcare firm, further broadening my strategic exposure.”

“Prior to Stern, I served Technology Risk at a professional services firm in the accounting industry. My experiences ranged from creating and testing SOX controls designed to mitigate financial risk for clients to executing complementary data science initiatives for non-profits. I was happy where I was, but I recognized a strong need to pivot from a controls/risk function to a more central, finance-heavy role. I sought a shift in function while remaining in the finance industry. To perform this pivot, I chose to attend Stern for a few reasons: their reputation for corporate finance was pristine, how strong EQ resonated amongst the students and how accommodating and nice the student body was, and the location. Already living in New York City, having the opportunity to continue that was a dream come true. In addition, tapping into the vast alumni network across countless industries and functions has yielded dividends already and will continue to for the remainder of my life. The Careers team has been instrumental throughout this career pivot process, providing specialized workshops and career coaching to effectively refine my resume and interview pitch for finance roles, as well as providing support throughout this overall process. I recently completed a successful summer internship at Citi in their Financial Management Associate rotational program, working with the Liquidity Operations team in the Finance Transformation function. I look forward to the exciting journey ahead as I accept their full-time offer to resume this program.”

“Before Stern, I spent several years in consumer and market research across Europe and the US, partnering with global brands to uncover insights that shaped product launches, marketing strategies, and international growth plans. Those experiences taught me how to navigate diverse markets, lead cross-functional teams, and bring data-driven structure to ambiguous business challenges. When I joined Stern as an international MBA student from Italy, I wanted to expand my impact beyond insights and move closer to solving complex strategic problems. The collaborative environment, experiential classes, and diverse community immediately accelerated that transition. Serving on the Boards of the European Business Society, the Middle Eastern and North African Club, and the Stern Football Club all strengthened my leadership, global perspective, and sense of community. This past summer, I explored strategy in two different settings: supporting the founder of Subconscious AI on go-to-market and fundraising strategy for their AI-driven causal modeling platform, and analyzing sustainability and consumer trends through the Sustainability Market Share Index. Both experiences reaffirmed my passion for strategy, problem-solving, and consumer industries. Guided by Stern’s Careers team, I gained clarity and confidence in my path. Upon graduation, I am thrilled to join L.E.K. Consulting in San Francisco to continue helping organizations grow through insight-driven strategy.”

“Before joining Stern, I built my real estate career in Indonesia across acquisitions, primarily sourcing investment opportunities and driving them through negotiations and internal approvals. I enjoyed the mix of relationship-driven work and the quantitative rigor behind evaluating opportunities, but I learned quickly that the asset is only one part of the equation. Over time, I became curious about the investment committee's questions that shaped the final decision. That curiosity pulled me toward the financing side of the market, specifically how capital is raised and structured, how risk is priced, and what holds up when assumptions change. At Stern, the classroom gave me the technical foundation I came for. Courses strengthened how I underwrite, stress test assumptions, and think about downsides. At the same time, the Chen Institute Fellows program, led by Professor Sam Chandan, helped me build context around what the market is paying attention to through candid conversations and lunch-and-learns with industry leaders. Being in New York made that learning feel immediate. I’ve been able to stay close to the market and build relationships through communities like ULI, Women in Housing and Finance, and CREFC. Stern helped me get more precise about where I can add value and how to target roles that fit. The combination of coursework and career coaching helped me to stand out in recruiting, and I’m grateful it translated into multiple internships during my MBA. Those internships helped me connect the classroom to real-world applications. My internships honed my judgment on asset quality and fundamentals, and my work with a real estate lending platform gave me a closer look at how loans move from sourcing to underwriting and closing. Both helped me clarify the lane I want to build my career in, and I’m now focused on opportunities in real estate private credit.”

“New York has been home to me since 2016, when I moved here to complete my undergraduate degree at Columbia and unknowingly began shaping the career path I’m on today. Studying IEOR made me a natural generalist. It taught me how to think like an engineer, analyze like a mathematician, understand financial markets, and view change with an entrepreneurial lens. That blend of skills gave me the flexibility to explore different industries after graduation, starting with my first role as a trader at Deutsche Bank. While I enjoyed trading, I found myself drawn toward building things rather than trading them. That curiosity led me deeper into fintech and eventually to co-founding Endex, a social-investing startup. Building a product from the ground up pushed me to understand customers more deeply, make decisions with incomplete information, and design with clarity and purpose. It also helped me realize that to grow into the kind of product leader I aspire to be, I needed to strengthen my marketing and GTM skillset, study different leadership strategies, and learn from teams operating at global scale. That realization brought me to Stern. From the very beginning, Stern made it easy to hit the ground running. The summer Consortium prep sessions gave me a strong start, and the Careers team helped me navigate recruiting with confidence early-on. With the help of this network, I secured two internships: Technical Product Management at Acxiom during the spring and a summer Product Marketing internship at Microsoft. I entered Stern convinced I would pursue PM, but my experience working at Microsoft showed me how many of my strengths and interests lend themselves to PMM work. Stern has been transformational both personally and professionally. I’ve gained clarity about the kind of work that energizes me, built meaningful relationships, and grown as a leader. After nearly ten years in NYC and finally earning my unofficial New Yorker status, I’m excited to head back west to join Microsoft full-time and continue to build products that impact millions of people.”

“I began my career in the public and nonprofit sectors, working for the UN on sustainability-focused initiatives, including tracking global capital investments toward the Sustainable Development Goals. My early interests centered on urban development and infrastructure policy, where I became increasingly aware of the role capital plays in shaping long-term social and economic outcomes. Immediately prior to Stern, I worked in the construction sector in New York City, supporting public-private partnerships and engaging in bidding and contracting processes for government construction projects. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for how infrastructure delivery and capital allocation drive economic growth, while also revealing how financing gaps and misaligned incentives can constrain scale and impact. This realization ultimately motivated my pivot toward finance. As a dual MBA/MPA student at Stern, I have been intentional about developing the technical and strategic skills necessary to bridge the gap between finance and public impact. Stern’s location in New York City, combined with its strengths in finance, real estate, and infrastructure, made it an ideal environment for this transition. Throughout the recruiting process, the Careers team played a critical role in helping me translate my non-traditional background into a compelling narrative, strengthening my technical preparation, and navigating a competitive recruiting landscape with confidence. I spent last summer as an investment banking associate at BNP Paribas, an experience that strengthened my financial foundation and clarified my long-term goals. While I valued the rigor of investment banking, I realized that I am most motivated by investing roles on the buy side. With continued support from the Careers team, I gained in-semester experience at a private credit fund and continue to build meaningful relationships with professionals across the infrastructure and finance ecosystem. My time at Stern has been truly transformational. I am deeply grateful to the Careers team and the broader Stern community for providing the guidance, resources, and confidence to pursue an evolving career path at the intersection of finance, infrastructure, and sustainability. Stern empowered me to be intentional in my career decisions, equipping me with the clarity and conviction to pursue opportunities that align with my values and long-term goals rather than simply following a prescribed path. The support I received has given me the confidence to navigate transitions with purpose and optimism, knowing I am prepared to build a career that is both impactful and fulfilling.”

“Prior to Stern, I served as a Nuclear Submarine Officer in the US Navy for 5 years after graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland. I enjoyed the excitement and challenges of the Navy but knew I wanted to transition to the civilian sector after completing my service obligation. With the help of the Fertitta Veteran scholarship, I knew Stern was my top choice for breaking into the investment banking industry based on the school's location and deep ties to Wall Street. The resources at Stern gave me all of the support I needed to navigate the investment banking recruiting process. From the Feritta Program summer treks to the Careers team and the Graduate Finance Association, the resources at Stern were instrumental in helping me craft my story and understand the role I was aiming for in the investment banking industry. I completed my internship with Morgan Stanley and will be returning to the Global Industrials Group upon graduation. I could not have made this transition from the military to finance without Stern's support and am very excited to begin a new chapter in my professional career.”

“Before Stern, I served as an Economist at the Bank of Korea, the central bank of South Korea. Leveraging my background as a CPA, I built broad experience across multiple finance functions, including research, compliance, and large-scale investment management. My most formative experience was as a Portfolio Manager, where I invested billions of dollars of national reserves into U.S. and European corporate bonds. This role provided firsthand exposure to leading global corporations and deepened my understanding of how financial strategy supports innovation and growth. These experiences ultimately sparked my interest in corporate finance and motivated me to pursue an MBA. NYU Stern was a clear choice. Being in New York City, where many global companies maintain major offices and headquarters, was essential to my goal of transitioning into corporate finance. During my summer, I interned at Novartis, a global pharmaceutical leader, through its Finance Leadership Development Program, and successfully converted the role into a full-time offer. Stern played a pivotal role in that journey. The Career Development team provided invaluable support, from refining my resume and cover letter to conducting extensive mock interviews. Furthermore, Insights gained through coffee chats with Stern alumni proved instrumental throughout the recruiting process and internship. I am deeply grateful for the support of the Stern community and look forward to paying it forward by mentoring and supporting future Stern students.”