Alan Abdullaev (BBA ’25)

Alan Abdullaev (BBA ’25)

“My first two years at Baruch College were very puzzling. I knew that I wanted to work in finance, but I had no idea which path to take. With so many options and no guidance at all, there was so much pressure to make the correct decision. Baruch College, being a very fast-paced school, only added to that pressure. There were many other students who looked like they knew what they were doing and had it all figured out. I often felt lost and with everyone being so busy, there was little time to ask for guidance.

However, my last two years at Baruch College were the complete opposite. After joining the Zicklin Honors Program during my junior year, I realized that I didn’t have to go through the entire journey alone. The program offered great courses that not only taught me many useful skills but also helped me narrow down my career interests. It was also amazing to go through the program alongside other ZUHP students who were ambitious and who I could rely on for guidance. In addition to the support from my peers, it was great to receive guidance from the ZUHP alumni who were always eager to share their experiences and advice.

Overall, with the combination of the program’s professors, the ZUHP students, and alumni, I did not only gain valuable knowledge, but I became a part of a community of motivated individuals. I found support in people who were committed to helping me grow not only academically but also personally and professionally.”

Charlotte Yee (BBA, ’24)

Charlotte Yee (BBA, ’24)

“I first entered Baruch in 2020 as a wide-eyed, timid freshman unsure of her professional direction. If you had told me back then that I would be where I am now, a graduate and budding financial professional, I wouldn’t have believed you. Arriving here has been in no small part thanks to the tangible experiences, soft skills, and mentors I’ve gained through the Zicklin Honors Undergraduate Program (ZUHP).

Having started college online, walking into the ZUHP room in my sophomore year was the first time that I felt like I had a community at Baruch. Almost immediately, I found peers, friends, and informal mentors in the upperclassmen who had walked the same path before. They, along with professors like Prof. Thomas and Prof. Zicklin, helped me believe that I could pursue a career in finance. The ZUHP network extends even beyond the Baruch walls; I also spoke to numerous alumni at events who gave me guidance and direction, and whose advice helped me secure a full-time offer to join an investment bank. Through all this, I found myself growing into a more confident and knowledgeable person, noticeably different from who I’d been when I first started college.

As I begin my professional journey, I am taking with me lifelong friendships, technical and qualitative skills from ZUHP classes, and advice and mentorship from the ZUHP network. I am immensely grateful that I took the chance to apply, and for the lasting impact that these past two years in the program have made on me.

Mateja Tokic (BBA, ’22)

Mateja Tokic (BBA ’22) “I came to Baruch as an international student from rural Bosnia. My decision to study Economics was, ironically, purely economic: I came from poverty and decided to choose a degree program that was most likely to guarantee me a stable income in the future. However, my true passions are animals and nature. I spent my entire childhood rescuing animals and caring for the community where I lived. Once in college, I accepted that my passion and my career would never overlap.

I was still dedicated to my chosen field. I studied hard, maintained a high GPA, and got accepted into Zicklin’s Undergraduate Honors Program (ZUHP), where staff and professors helped me not only discover the world of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), but also pushed me to incorporate topics that are close to my heart, such as water conservation or energy efficiency, into high-level business courses. Through these relationships, I landed my first internship in ESG, which led to a full-time position as an ESG Analyst post-graduation. I now know that I can earn stable income while doing something that I love.

I am forever grateful for the Zicklin Undergraduate Honors Program, from the classes that expanded my view of what it takes to analyze and run a business in real life, to personal connections with people who became friends, mentors, and lifelong connections worth nurturing.”

Jack Santoro (BBA, ’21)

“Since high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in business. I was drawn to Baruch College for its highly regarded accounting program, diverse student body, and close proximity to the world’s foremost hub of finance and commerce. While pursuing my BBA in Accountancy, I worked part-time as a seconded employee in the Goldman Sachs tax department, led the Baruch College Men’s Cross-Country team as team captain, and held several leadership positions in Baruch’s business honors society, Beta Alpha Psi. In Fall 2020, I was awarded the Dean Francis J. Connelly Scholarship for academic excellence, leadership, and service. As a scholar in the Zicklin Honors Program, I enjoyed the higher-level business classes that helped me build my technical knowledge and business acumen. From the program, I found a supportive network of professors and peers that encouraged me to grow my soft skills and helped me make meaningful connections with industry professionals. It gave me a solid foundation on which to build my professional career, and I look forward to utilizing the knowledge and skills as I begin my journey to becoming a tax attorney.”

Juan Mendoza (BBA, ’19)

Juan Mendoza (BBA, ’19) was born in Colombia and raised in Queens. He attended Aviation High School where he received his Airframe and Powerplant licenses, allowing him to work on commercial aircrafts at a very young age. Shortly after receiving his licenses, he joined Delta Air Lines’ Technical Operations Division where he performed maintenance and repairs on several different types of aircraft including Boeing 737s, Airbus 319s and McDonnell Douglas 88s. A few years into his aviation career, he became increasingly interested in the world of investments and market dynamics. Baruch was an obvious choice, given the school’s innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, and location. Juan decided to pursue a BBA in Finance and Investments on a full-time basis, while continuing to work full time at Delta Air Lines.

“Despite the many challenges an unconventional student may face, Baruch provided me with a platform on which to build a successful career. In my first two years at Baruch, I was awarded the George Segal ’65 scholarship for academic excellence, was accepted into the Zicklin Undergraduate Honors Program, and was offered an internship at BlackRock’s U.S Wealth Advisory Division. As a scholar in the Zicklin Honors Program, I was frequently exposed to courses and professors that challenged me both intellectually and creatively, helping to broaden and shape my perspective of business, economics and finance. Moreover, the program provided me with mentorship and the resources required to successfully receiving a full-time offer as a Research Analyst at New York Life Investors. Baruch and the Zicklin Undergraduate Honors Program have provided me with a foundation of knowledge and experience that will contribute to my personal and professional development for years to come.”

Carmen Guan (BBA, ’19)

Carmen Guan (BBA, ’19) was set to pursue a career in architecture following her time in an engineering high school. She would never have expected that four years after her high school graduation, she would go on to gain experience in the fields of accounting, finance, and advisory. Since her freshman year at Baruch, Carmen has balanced full course loads and internships at JPMorgan, Alvarez and Marsal, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, and Daiwa. Carmen was also a scholar in the Zicklin Honors Program, which introduced her to courses that challenged her way of thinking and honed her problem-solving skills. She was also able to gain perspective from the program’s distinguished professors and peers. Carmen looks forward to applying her enthusiasm and knowledge to the management consulting industry as a Strategy and Operations Business Analyst at Deloitte Consulting.