#WhyZicklin? Review our Graduate Student Ambassadors profiles!
MBA
Belen
Name: Belen
Hometown: Scarsdale, New York
Languages spoken: Spanish & English
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Penn State
Most recent position: Client Relations Associate, The Next Step Realty
Favorite course: MGT 9600 Strategy & Competitive Advantage
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, learning new languages (currently taking Italian language lessons), and watching films and critiquing them on Letterboxd.
About me: I am a 1st year full-time MBA at Baruch with a proven track record in client relations. Most recently I held the role of a client relations associate where I advised clients on how to time their entry into the market and was the first point of contact for any client inquiries. I joined Zicklin School of Business with the intention of learning technical skills and business acumen that my careers of interest tend to require. I am particularly interested in seeing how my problem-solving and interpersonal skills can be applied to the field of strategy consulting and wealth management.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Enrichment
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Data Analytics, Consulting, Finance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I would like to work within the Wealth Management Client Relations Sector within a renowned bank such as Morgan Stanely, UBS, Bank of America and have a wide roster of clients who I assist and guide in making the best financial decisions. I hope to be an expert in data analytics and to have a wider business vocabulary.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Daniel
Name: Daniel
Hometown: West Islip, New York
Languages spoken: English
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Penn State University
Most recent position: Intelligence Officer, United States Army
Favorite course: MGT 9301 – Managing People and Organizations
Hobbies: I enjoy training martial arts and boxing. I also bike about 50 miles a week. I love spending time with my family, including my 6 month old corgi, Winnie.
About me: I am a military officer who loves working with others. I am extremely passionate about helping people in need; whether that be physically protecting civilians, donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital every month, and consolidating hundreds of pounds of food to hungry children through food banks.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Operations Management/Project Management
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My goal after completing my degree is to utilize my leadership and problem-solving skills I learned in the military to work in an operations management role. I would enjoy working with employees from a variety of departments so that I can gain a broad perspective of how the entire organization is running. By doing so, my team could collaborate ideas as to how we can keep the organization thriving and provide solutions for any issues that arise.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Elena
Name: Elena
Hometown: Nesconset, New York
Languages spoken: English
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina
Most recent position: The bulk of my experience is as a News Reporter/Anchor for NBC/Hearst Television. However, I briefly worked as a publicist for a small public relations startup called Victorious Public Relations thereafter.
Favorite course: MGT 9301 – Managing People and Organizations
Hobbies: I enjoy solo traveling, discovering new coffee shops and small businesses, karaoke, and kickboxing. I am also a self-proclaimed Taylor Swift expert and super fan.
About me: As a former television news journalist and publicist, I have a strong background in journalism, mass communications, and compelling storytelling. I am intrigued by brand strategy, consumer insights, and social media marketing tactics. As a full-time MBA student, I am pursuing a career transition into marketing and I am excited to carry the transferable skills from the fast-paced and dynamic news industry with me.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Legacy
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Marketing
Career goal (s) after degree completion: With my background in the news industry, it has been my responsibility to not only grow as a strong communicator and storyteller, but to have a finger on the pulse of what people are talking about and buying. My goal is to work for a creative in-house marketing team in the retail and consumer products industries, where I can help a company build and maintain a strong brand while targeting the right consumers on proper, respective platforms.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Ryan
Name: Ryan
Hometown: West Islip, New York
Languages spoken: Bangla & English
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: Bachelor of Arts at High Point University
Most recent position: Mortgage Loan Originator at Contour Mortgage Corporation
Favorite course: MGT 9600 – Strategy and Competitive Advantage
Hobbies: I enjoy golf, basketball, football and fitness. I like to have a balance between school work and extracurricular activities.
About me: I come from a family of educators. I am firm believer in education and believe that the Zicklin School of Business is a great path in order to get to the next level of your career.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Finance – Wealth Management
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Working in wealth management in a corporate environment where I can develop a book of business and connect with my clients.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Yati
Name: Yati
Hometown: Delhi, India
Languages spoken: English & Hindi
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors of Technology in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
Most recent position: Team Lead at Amdocs
Favorite course: MGT 9600 Strategy & Competitive Advantage
Hobbies: traveling, trying different foods, playing sports, reading books
About me: I enjoy immersing myself in books. Spiritual discussions pique my interest. I love to dance and groove. Meeting new people is an adventure in itself. I’m always up for exciting adventures.
#WhyZicklin in one word: ROI (Return on Invest)
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Finance and Consulting
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Working at investment based firm and utilize my technical and financial skills in helping firm to make best investment decisions.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Gregory
Name: Gregory
Hometown: Queens, NY
Languages spoken: English & Russian
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Hunter College
Most recent position: Chief Operating Officer at The Bizzarro Real Estate Agency
Favorite course: MGT 9301: Managing People and Organizations
Hobbies: I enjoy exploring different neighborhoods, dining at new restaurants, catching Broadway shows, and soaking in the culture at museums. I love immersing myself in foreign countries and meeting new people. Getting ‘lost’ is often when I find the most memorable experiences.
About me: I am a first-generation American who grew up with entrepreneurial parents. I love everything about business.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Leadership and Strategy
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Zicklin has opened up so many paths for me that I am just going to see where it takes me. I have a lot of personal goals so my only non-negotiable is that my career helps me achieve them.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Gurjot
Name: Gurjot
Hometown: Deer Park, NY
Languages spoken: Punjabi, Urdu, & Hindi
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Farmingdale State College
Most recent position: Software Analyst, MeridianLink
Favorite course: LAW 9800 – Intensive Survey Law
Hobbies: I love to travel & work out – my primary interest lies in achieving muscular strength. I enjoy cooking (Spaghetti alla Carbonara) and learning new recipes.
About me: I am a driven MBA candidate with a passion for learning. My diverse background in finance coupled with a deep interest in emerging technologies like data analytics. My goal is to leverage my skills and knowledge to drive meaningful innovation and growth in the business world.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Finance & Cybersecurity
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Upon completing my MBA, my aspiration is to work as a financial analyst in one of the top investment firms. As a financial analyst, I will assist companies in making critical data-driven decisions. Additionally, I will research market trends which would maximize their financial utility. As I grow within the company, I hope to eventually transition into the position of CFO.
Expected Graduation Date: May 2025
Kirk
Name: Kirk
Hometown: Spanish Town, Jamaica West Indies
Languages spoken: English
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors Information Technology from Monroe College
Most recent position: Audio Visual Analyst, Nielsen Company
Favorite course: MGT 9301 – Managing People and Organizations
Hobbies: I enjoy cooking, entertaining, spending time outdoors in the summer, traveling, learning about other cultures, and acting. I am also a sports enthusiast.
About me: I am passionate about studying management and information technology. I enjoying learning about international affairs and managing people. With the knowledge gained from Zicklin School of Business I intend to make a difference in the workplace and my community.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Networking
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Information Technology and Project Management
Career goal (s) after degree completion: After achieving my MBA, I would like to advance my career by moving into a management position. I enjoy teaching and helping others, so I hope to fulfill one of my career goals of becoming an adjunct professor.
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Salman
Name: Salman
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Languages spoken: English, Urdu, & Hindi
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Masters in Artificial Intelligence from University of Bologna, Italy
Most recent position: Senior Data Scientist, S&P Global
Favorite course: MGT-9600 Strategy and Competitive Advantage
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling in general, especially road trips, along with Broadway shows, and playing cricket.
About me: I’m a tech-savvy individual with a deep love for sports, a keen learner with a growth mindset, and a passion for traveling around the world to explore diverse cultures and experiences.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Diversity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Strategy and Finance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My post MBA career ambition is to carve out a specialized role in the realm of Strategic AI, with a primary focus on leveraging AI’s positive impact within developing countries.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Master of Science
Our Student Ambassador program is continuously expanding. Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have an ambassador to represent our MS Accountancy program. If you would like to connect with a current student, we recommend selecting a MS ambassador. All ambassadors are able to answer questions about the student experience at Zicklin.
Sudeshna
Name: Sudeshna
Hometown: Kolkata, India
Languages spoken: Bengali & Hindi
Degree program: MS Business Analytics
Previous degree: Bachelors of Engineering in Mechanical engineering from The City College of New York
Most recent position: CUNY Facilities-Data Specialist & MTA- Business Analyst- Bus Technology
Favorite course: CIS 9660 – Data Mining for Business Analytics
Hobbies: I like to do sketches and travel to different countries.
About me: I am an international student with a strong passion for the ever-evolving field of data analytics in finance and a deep desire to make a meaningful contribution to the sustainable finance industry.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Diversity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Data Analytics
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My career goal after completing my degree is to leverage my education and skills in data analytics to make a positive impact in the financial industry, particularly by contributing to sustainable finance initiatives that align with environmental and social responsibility.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Nayonie
Name: Nayonie
Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Languages spoken: English, Hindi, & Gujrati
Degree program: MS Finance
Previous degree: Bachelors of Commerce Honors from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai, India)
Most recent position: Marketing Intern, Outlook Media
Favorite course: FIN 9783- Investment Analysis
Hobbies: I am interested in dancing, painting, and enjoy traveling and trying new cafes.
About me: I am an enthusiastic individual with a passion for continuous learning and a keen interest in diverse topics, making me eager to connect with new individuals and gain different perspectives. I am deeply interested in financial modelling, planning and analysis.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Financial Planning, Analysis and Financial Modelling
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Post completing the degree I intend to work in the financial planning and analysis/ investment sector. I am keen to develop financial models, make relevant forecasts for the companies and clients to make suitable decisions according to their requirements.
Expected Graduation Date: Summer/Fall 2025
Nicholas
Name: Nicholas
Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Languages spoken: English
Degree program: MS Finance
Previous degree: Bachelors of Science in Integrative Neuroscience from Binghamton University
Most recent position: Physical Therapy Aide, TLC Physical Therapy
Favorite course: BUS 9551- Business Communication I
Hobbies: I enjoy playing basketball and baseball with friends, as well as watching professional sports. In addition, I love hiking and exploring national parks, as well as playing golf. Traveling is a huge interest of mine, and it is my goal to travel to all fifty states.
About me: I am a graduate student with a strong desire to connect with those around me and have a positive impact on humanity. I am very interested in investment banking, equity research, and consulting.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Finance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My career goal is to work in front office finance, whether that be investment banking or equity research. I would love to be on the forefront of investment decisions being made.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Payas
Name: Payas
Hometown: Indore, India
Languages spoken: English & Hindi
Degree program: MS Finance
Previous degree: Bachelors of Commerce from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai
Most recent position: Research Analyst, Weissman Center for International Business
Favorite course: FIN 9783 – Investment Analysis
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy traveling and taking long drives. I’m also a fan of playing football and video games. Physical activities like working out and swimming are activities I really like. Additionally, I have an interest in reading religious books and learning about various cultures.
About me: As an international student experiencing the USA for the first time, I’ve come here with a strong desire to explore and acquire new knowledge. My lifelong fascination with numbers has driven me to pursue a Master’s in Finance. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and learning from their experiences. I’m an outgoing individual who values spending weekends with friends.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Value
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Private Equity, Venture Capital, Investment Banking
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My interest in numbers and a natural curiosity about finance led me to pursue a degree in Finance. I’ve always had a fascination with the business world and firmly believe that every business can benefit from expert guidance to thrive. That’s why I aspire to build my career in the Private Equity sector.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Tessa
Name: Tessa
Hometown: Born in India (Kerala) and raised in the UAE (Sharjah)
Languages spoken: English & Malayalam
Degree program: MS Finance
Previous degree: Bachelors in Commerce specialized in Finance from University of Calicut – Kerala, India Association of Chartered Certified Accountant qualification from the UK (ACCA) – Affiliate
Most recent position: Audit Associate – Grant Thornton, UAE
Favorite course: FIN 9762 – Quantitative Tools for Finance
Hobbies: I enjoy snow skating, dancing, going for long drives, researching on interested topics, networking, doing pilates and watching crime/mystery thriller series/movies..
About me: I am someone who does things out of the ordinary, is passionate about what she does, and gives it her all to reach her dream goal. A lot of my interest is in gaining a lot of knowledge and networking with other people to gain valuable insights from their experiences.
#WhyZicklin in one word: ROI (Return on Investment)
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Investment, Portfolio, & Asset Management
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My career goal is to work on the Buy side of top investment banks to be able to generate high returns on the funds my clients entrust to me. I’d like to start off in portfolio management, and then move into venture capital to boost potential start-ups.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Our Student Ambassador program is continuously expanding. Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have an ambassador to represent our MS Financial Risk Management program. If you would like to connect with a current student, we recommend selecting one of the ambassadors from the MS Finance program. All ambassadors are able to answer questions about the student experience at Zicklin.
Fatima
Name: Fatima
Hometown: Dominican Republic
Languages spoken: Spanish & English
Degree program: MS Information Systems with a concentration in Cybersecurity
Previous degree: BBA in Accountancy and minors in Data Analytics and Spanish, Baruch College
Most recent position: I’m an Executive Coordinator in the C-Suite at the Central Office of the City University of New York. Additionally, I manage the CUNY Arts Program since 2021. It has been an incredibly fulfilling role, where I’ve had the privilege of connecting students with enriching cultural opportunities across New York City. Through this program, I’ve worked to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives while contributing to some of the most significant university system projects.
Favorite course: BUS 9551: Business Communication
Hobbies: I enjoy reading biographies of business leaders and historical figures, learning general history, and engaging in the richness of Asian culture. Over the past few years, I’ve also found great joy in fostering students’ access to the arts through the CUNY Arts program, facilitating their exploration of iconic museums and cultural events throughout the city (for free!). While I’ve dedicated significant time to the arts, I’m now shifting my focus toward my deep interest in financial literacy. In 2024, I’ll be working on exciting projects in this area.
About me: I’m a first-generation college student. Arriving in the United States with little knowledge of English, I held onto the dream of attending college and opening doors for myself. Through hard work and dedication, I’ve been fortunate to build a supportive network and seize numerous opportunities. I’m excited to connect with like-minded individuals and continue making a positive impact in the communities I serve. I successfully passed all four CPA exams and I’m excited to merge my expertise in finance with information systems in my career.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Competitiveness
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I would like to gain experience in accounting and cybersecurity, so that I can be the bridge between finance and tech. Currently, I’m working on a career map with my mentors. It is very important to understand where you’re going so that other people don’t take you on their voyage, just because you don’t have a compass. I finally understand that a map doesn’t need to be perfect to take you closer to your destination.
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Surbhi
Name: Surbhi
Hometown: Himachal Pradesh, India
Languages spoken: English & Hindi
Degree program: MS Information Systems
Previous degree: Bachelors of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from PTU India Master of Technology in Product Designing from CDAC India
Most recent position: Network Security Engineer, Rackspace Technology
Favorite course: CIS 9340 – Principles of Database Management Systems
Hobbies: I have traveled practically all of India, and I will soon be exploring the United States. I love to meet new people from diverse communities, and I am a fitness enthusiast who frequents Baruch Athletic Area whenever I have free time.
About me: Being the first person in my family to go so far, I am an international student. I chose this course because I’m interested in cybersecurity and because I received a ticket from a client in my company regarding phishing. That experience made me realize that I don’t know enough about networks and that I need to learn more in order to defend organizations against potential threats.
#WhyZicklin in one word: People
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Programming for Analytics, Network and Communication, & Cybersecurity and Data Analysis
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I want to work as a cybersecurity consultant because I want to shield organizations from the various threats that are happening in the market today.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Juliana
Name: Juliana
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Languages spoken: Portuguese, English, & Spanish
Degree program: MS Marketing
Previous degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
Most recent position: Talent Partnership Manager, ThoughtLeaders
Favorite course: MKT 9716 – Consumer Behavior
Hobbies: I have a deep love for traveling and immersing myself in different cultures; I’ve lived in 5 countries so far! Fun Fact: I can say ‘I don’t speak French’ in French and ‘I don’t speak German’ in German – always a fun way to kick off a conversation!
About me: I’m an international student who grew up in Brazil and spent the last three years in Israel. Originally from a civil engineering background, I made a career change to marketing about two and a half years ago.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Digital Marketing
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I’m looking to join a big company where I can help them grow in new markets. With my international experiences and what I’ve learned at Zicklin, I feel I can really help connect different markets together.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Ira
Name: Ira (Xiuxian)
Hometown: Yanji, Jilin, China
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, & Korean
Degree program: MS Quantitative Methods & Modeling
Previous degree: Bachelor of Science at Boston College Carroll School of Management
Most recent position: Quantitative Research Intern, SkyIT
Favorite course: STA 9700- Modern Regression Analysis
Hobbies: I love Korean and Japanese culture, especially movies, anime, and food!! I periodically do yoga. I love fashion!
About me: I am organized, goal-oriented, curious, and proactive. I love learning about different people. #WhyZicklin in one word: Career
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Data Science/Analytics
Career goal (s) after degree completion: working at the intersection of data and fashion
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Jonathan
Name: Jonathan
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Degree program: MS Real Estate
Previous degree: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science from the College of Staten Island
Most recent position: College Advisor, College Access: Research & Action
Favorite course: BUS 9551- Business Communication I
Hobbies: I enjoy playing soccer, working out, and video games in my free time.
About me: I am a first-generation college student who enjoys learning and learning from those around me. I enjoy socializing and building bonds with people that are around me.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Home
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Real Estate Transactions
Career goal (s) after degree completion: After completing my degree, I plan to land a job in a commercial real estate development firm. I want to learn about the work behind closed doors to build commercial and residential properties.
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Our Student Ambassador program is continuously expanding. Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have an ambassador to represent our MS Statistics program. If you would like to connect with a current student, we recommend selecting a MS ambassador. All ambassadors are able to answer questions about the student experience at Zicklin.
Yiyang
Name: Yiyang
Hometown: China
Languages spoken: English & Mandarin
Degree program: MS Taxation
Previous degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from Baruch College
Most recent position: Tax Consultant Intern, Deloitte
Favorite course: TAX 9866 – Corporate Taxation I
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, exercising, and networking.
About me: With a great interest in exploring different types of taxation, I am a motivated and rising tax professional who pursues self-improvement along the growth path. I am also a member of the Zicklin Tax Society (ZTAX) at Baruch College.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Connections
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Financial Planning
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Becoming a CPA is my career goal. I would love to utilize my tax knowledge learned from school and soft skills obtained from events to prepare for future career paths and help more clients worldwide.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024