Shows
Zicklin GCMC PodcastYour Career is Like a Financial PortfolioIn this episode, Justyn speaks with Dana Zeller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-zeller/), Zicklin MS Statistics alum and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at BHI, a global financial services firm.
Dana shares her unique perspective on career planning through the lens of a financial portfolio, and her five elements within it:
Start big, or start small. All that matters is that you get in the game.
Don't be afraid to reset.
Diversify (your experiences, your knowledge, and your network)
The market is cyclical. So is your career.
Enjoy the ride!
Dana also shares...
2025-08-2031 minZicklin GCMC PodcastFinancial Fluency Links to Career Planning ... And Catching ScamsIn this episode, we speak with Tony Steuer, CLU, LA, CPFFE, an internationally recognized financial fluency advocate, award-winning author, and host of The Get Ready Money Podcast.
Financial fluency and planning mirrors much of what individuals experience in their career planning and progression. Think of mindset, personal preferences, emotions, and life goals.
Topics in the discussion include:
How goal setting can help you choose various paths that align with what you want in life
Financial fluency is something people can learn at any point in life
Understanding job and financial scams, and things to...
2025-08-0527 minZicklin GCMC PodcastProduct Management and Taking Risks Outside of New York: Rezwan Islam (MBA '26)In this episode, Zicklin Evening MBA '26 student Rezwan Islam (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rezwan-islam33/) talks about his summer 2024 Product Management internship in Detroit, MI with a national brand that provides digital solutions for complex transactions.
Rezwan has a background in Mechanical Engineering, and started his MBA in spring 2024 to help make a functional change in his career. Topics in the discussion include:
Transitioning from Engineering to Tech
Being proactive in your internship
Communication is key
Looking at opportunities to grow outside of New York
Translating past transferrable skills to his Product Management goals
The...
2024-10-1725 minZicklin GCMC PodcastZicklin Student Chats: Daniel Jordan (MBA '26)In this episode, Zicklin Evening MBA '26 student Daniel Jordan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-jordan-djc/) to talk about his experience at Zicklin over the past year. Dan started his MBA program in fall 2023.
Topics include:
His personal journey to starting the MBA
How to talk to strangers on an airplane
His experience at the 2023 Reaching Out MBA Conference
Him passing the Securities Industry Essentials Exam
The episode is moderated by Justyn Makarewycz, Deputy Director, Employer and Recruiter Relations at the GCMC (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justyndm/)
2024-08-2922 minZicklin GCMC PodcastA Hiring Manager's Perspective to Getting HiredIn this episode, Laura Lakhwara (MBA '14 - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralakhwara/), Technology Adoption and Customer Success Leader with Soapbox, a warehouse and fulfillment tech platform, speaks with students to remind them to be sure to keep the hiring manager's perspective in mind when they're applying and interviewing. This can help decrease frustration, while keep them more strategic in their search.
Topics covered include:
A behind-the-scenes look into the hiring manager's perspective
How to succeed despite the market challenges
How to network effectively and get a referral
Using online communities to connect with individuals...
2024-03-111h 01Zicklin GCMC PodcastNavigating The International Student Job Search & SponsorshipEpisode Notes
The job search in and of itself can be daunting. Having to manage your job search while also navigating getting sponsorship can be even more so and it can become increasingly an overwhelming process that can feel stressful.
In this episode, we speak with MS Finance alum, Nikhil Mandhwani
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhil-mandhwani-ca-13875a1bb/), who is currently an AVP Associate at a major international bank.
Topics covered include:
Tips on how to network successfully, best practices when reaching out to new connections, and how to maintain stro...
2024-01-1229 minZicklin GCMC PodcastA Roadmap for a Data Engineer CareerOftentimes, changing careers can feel additionally confusing and frustrating because there's no one way to be able to do it. What if there was one for entering a career as a Data Engineer?
In this episode, we speak with MS Information Systems, Data Analytics alum David Freitag (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkfreitag/), who is currently a Data Engineer at an insurance company. In addition to his work, David has developed content about various topics for individuals looking to get into this field. Most recently, he wrote an article called The Entry-Level Data Engineer Roadmap (https://www...
2023-10-2026 minZicklin GCMC PodcastEffective and Simple Messaging (Communication) with Ben Guttmann (BBA ‘11)Episode Notes
The world is layered, complex, and noisy – especially when we’re talking about all forms of communication that we not only receive, but that we send out as well.
In this episode, we speak Baruch College alum Ben Guttmann (BBA ’11 - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benguttmann/) about some of the elements of effective messaging and communication. Ben built, ran, and sold an award-winning marketing agency, and he teaches marketing at Baruch. He also wrote a book on messaging and communication called Simply Put, and will be out in October 2023.
Topics covere...
2023-08-2522 minZicklin GCMC PodcastA Resilience-led CareerEpisode Notes
In any career journey, there will be challenges. They can include not getting through to the people with whom you want to connect, feeling dejected overall, hearing no to an application - or sometimes hearing nothing. Responding (or not responding) to those challenges can be even more difficult.
In this episode, we speak with Zicklin Full-time MBA alumna Adi Markus (MBA '16), who is currently Director of Customer Success in Tech (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adimarkus/). Adi shares what her process of "figuring it out" was, and if it was anything, it...
2023-07-1825 minZicklin GCMC PodcastA Model for Intentional Career PlanningEpisode Notes
We've all heard how life, professionally or personally, can be more rewarding if it's directed intentionally and deliberately. But is there a step-by-step model that can help us do that?
In this episode, we speak with Rina Koshkina, an executive and career coach (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinakoshkina/), whose own career spans over 25 years in various business and talent-development roles in financial services and tech.
Rina walks listeners through her professional organization model called O.C.C.A.(R.), which she developed through her work with students and working professionals...
2023-05-0846 minZicklin GCMC PodcastSoft-skills in Analytical RolesEpisode Notes
Being successful in analytical roles requires not only being data savvy, but soft-skill savvy too. In this episode’s conversation, we speak with alum Anthony Saitta (MBA '20), Senior Quantitative Analytics Associate at JPMorgan Chase (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonystephensaitta/), to discuss how important soft skills are for individuals in quant- and data-heavy roles.
Topics covered include:
Being a sole contributor vs on a management track
Anthony's 5 Most Important Soft Skills
Tips on networking
Live questions to Anthony from students in quant programs
The episode is moderated by Justyn Makarewycz, De...
2023-03-1636 minZicklin GCMC PodcastStrategic Thinking: Thinking A Few Steps AheadEpisode Notes
There are many aspects of thinking strategically, and one of them is thinking a few steps ahead in any scenario or question you might have.
In this episode, we speak with Kapil Khetan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapilkhetan/). Kapil works at Mizuho Bank and is also an Adjunct at New York University SPS, where he teaches courses in Quantitative Techniques, Statistics for Market Research, and Financial Management.
Kapil shares how important it is for students to think a few steps ahead to help them be more strategic thinkers.
...
2022-11-1621 minZicklin GCMC PodcastThe Student Case Competition ExperienceEpisode Notes
Case competitions are an opportunity for students to work alone or together in teams to analyze a problem specific to a case study.
There are many benefits to participating in case competitions, such as
Applying the knowledge and skill sets learned in the classroom learning environment to solve complex, real-world problems and receive feedback from industry professionals
Developing and improving leadership, organizational, presentation, case analysis, and teamwork skills
Building your resume, boosting your confidence, and providing real-world industry exposure
In this episode, we speak with these two graduate students who participated in the 2022 Ado...
2022-11-0415 minZicklin GCMC PodcastInterviewing for Tech Customer Success RolesEpisode Notes
In tech, Customer Success roles are a conglomerate of various functions and activities, which include Marketing, Strategic Client Relationship Management, Technical Account Management, Sales, Training, Implementation, Sounding Board, and much more.
When interviewing for these roles, candidates need to be prepared for different interview scenarios and questions, but all with a common focus: helping customers succeed and stay on.
In this discussion, these Baruch alumni talk about interviewing for Customer Success roles, what hiring managers look for in candidates, and other thoughts:
Tim Aaron (MBA '21), Customer Success Manager at...
2022-10-311h 00Zicklin GCMC PodcastMaking Difficult DecisionsEpisode Notes
In this episode, we speak with Zicklin MBA alum Eric Pliner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpliner/), CEO of YSC Consulting, a global leadership strategy services consulting firm, about decision making, leadership and his recently published book, Difficult Decisions: How Leaders Make the Right Call with Insight, Integrity, and Empathy (https://www.ysc.com/difficult-decisions-book/).
Eric shares details about his career journey and background, the work he does, as well as discussing topics including:
How values, morals, ethics, and stakeholder expectations impact decision making
How the “personal” is a real part of our work life
T...
2022-06-0826 minZicklin GCMC PodcastInterview Questions for Finance RolesEpisode Notes
In this episode, we speak with Zicklin MS Finance student Suhail Mohammed to talk about his experience interviewing for and working in Finance roles in Private Equity, Investment Management and FinTech.
Suhail discusses with us:
A few interview questions that candidates should be ready for in a Finance interview
What most interviewers want to know from those questions
Why it's important to always be curious
... and more
The episode is hosted by Justyn Makarewycz, Associate Director of Employer Relations at the GCMC (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justyndm/). To connect with...
2022-05-3118 minZicklin GCMC PodcastBuilding Strong Relationships in the WorkplaceEpisode Notes
Thy Bui (https://www.linkedin.com/in/buianthy1412) is a student in the MS Business Analytics, Data Analytics program, and works as a Supply Chain Analyst for a manufacturer. In her role, she works with multiple teams and personalities on a daily basis.
In this episode, Thy shares how she builds relationships with the teams she interacts with, which can be especially helpful to those starting out.
The episode is hosted by Justyn Makarewycz, Associate Director of Employer Relations at the GCMC (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justyndm/). To connect with the GCMC, email us at...
2022-05-1610 minZicklin GCMC PodcastKnowing Yourself, Especially for Career ChangersEpisode Notes
Having an understanding of yourself, who you are as a person, and what you bring to the table are some of the most important elements of a person's career journey - especially when changing careers.
In this podcast, Michelle Pope, a Senior Brand Manager at Colgate-Palmolive, speaks about what she’s learned from her interactions with career changers, and thoughts she has developed to help career changers navigate the process, including:
Why knowing yourself is important in your career
Understanding what is important to you, and what type of job you want to...
2022-03-1422 minZicklin GCMC PodcastCareer Changers: From Accounting to Marketing AnalyticsEpisode Notes
Many people at some time in their life have thought about changing careers. In fact, in a 2019 Indeed survey, 65% of respondents who had not yet switched careers said that they either thought about or previously considered doing so.
Making a career switch happen in reality, however, is not always easy.
In this episode, Zicklin Evening MBA student Adiel Schmidt shares her story of how she made a career switch from Accounting into Marketing Analytics, including:
How she landed in Accounting and then Marketing Analytics
Zicklin classes that helped direct her interests
How she focused on...
2021-10-0720 minZicklin GCMC PodcastCustomer Success in TechEpisode Notes
What does someone in a Customer Success role do at a tech company?
Customer Success departments are on the rise, as tech companies look to take a more proactive approach to relationship and account management. Customer Success professionals are often the intermediary between sales and the customer, ensuring customer needs are continuously met by the company.
In this podcast, MBA alum Bobby Koch (MBA '20) speaks with a group of students about his role as a Customer Success Manager at Adobe, as well as other topics including:
The importance of...
2021-03-1700 minZicklin GCMC PodcastDiscussions on Blockchain with Art Malkov (BBA and MBA)This episode features Zicklin BBA and MBA alum Art Malkov (https://www.linkedin.com/in/digitalbrand/), Chief Digital Officer at BlockchainDriven. BlockchainDriven is a team of industry leading experts advising public and private companies, governments and nonprofits with blockchain implementations.
This episode was a live recording from June 24, 2020 with Art and students, speaking on:
Blockchain 101 and non-crypto use cases
Non-developer skill sets companies look for in roles that use Blockchain
Career growth in roles that use Blockchain
Art's Bio: Art Malkov was one of the early pioneers of the blockchain digital space and has been...
2020-07-301h 03Zicklin GCMC PodcastEveryone Is a Marketer (Even Accounting, Finance, HR People and etc.) with Jonathan Tesser (MBA ’08)In this episode, Zicklin MBA alum Jonathan Tesser (MBA ’08), VP Research and Insights at NYC & Company, speaks with Justyn Makarewycz about one of Jonathan’s recent LinkedIn posts that everyone is a marketer (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonathan-tesser-a2a1852_humanfirst-marketing-activity-6663421401866792960-yQR3), even those who are or are aspiring to be accountants, financial leaders, HR professional or statisticians. Repeat: this episode is not only for those in or aspiring to be marketers.Jonathan is an insights professional with over 15 years’ experience learning about people through data and insights. Topics discussed in the conversation include:
No matter a pers...
2020-05-1825 minZicklin GCMC PodcastBuilding Credibility with James BlancoIn this episode, James Blanco, EVP and Head of Corporate Development for OneMain Financial, one of the nation’s largest consumer finance businesses, speaks with Justyn Makarewycz about building credibility at work and in personal relationships. Topics include:
Listening as a way to be a more effective communicator
Performing analysis to improve business judgements, rather than using them for their own sake
How credibility is at the core of personal relationships
Putting general career advice into practice
James and Justyn also briefly share how things are personally going for each of them while observing shelter-in-place.
Bo...
2020-04-0728 minZicklin GCMC PodcastSurviving Busy Season and Making the Most of Your Internship/First Year on the Job (Ottaviana De Ruvo, Withum)In this episode, we chat with our first-ever return guest... Ottaviana De Ruvo from Withum! We talk about surviving busy season and making the most of your internship and first year on the job. Subtopics include:
Seeking out mentors while interning and on the job
Building your professional network at work for present and future relationships
Feeling comfortable with asking questions to better perform on the job
Using tactics to stay on task, including taking good notes
Evaluating the company you're at to better understand if it's a good fit for you
Converting from intern to full-time associate
...
2020-02-2131 minZicklin GCMC PodcastThoughts on Career Transitions from a Recruiter (Madeleine Rumely, CPA, MSA '13)In this episode, we chat with Madeleine Rumely (MSA '13) about career transitions and gain insights from her new role as a recruiter. Subtopics include:
Being strategic about the CPA exam
Making decisions around industries and specific groups for work
Importance of on-campus recruiting (OCR) and non-OCR job searches
Staying motivated during challenging job searches and finding alternate ways in
How to think through and approach a possible career change
Understanding how your job search is unique to you
Making career decisions based on long-term goals, paths, and wants
Building connections while in school and beyond in your...
2020-02-0635 minZicklin GCMC PodcastSucceeding as an International Student (Eileen Marray, MS '18)As you're starting the new year and thinking ahead, you can make great strides in your career this year. In this episode, Eileen Marray (MS Finance '18) shares her story as an international student who didn't have any professional experience in the United States. In a matter of a few months, Eileen was able to gain focus and land an internship in her field, which combined with relevant skills she gained as a student, led to other internships and a full-time role at a big bank.
Episode hosted by Tanuja from the GCMC (https://www.linkedin.com...
2020-01-2424 minZicklin GCMC PodcastFrom "Not Invited" to "Invited," All While Making a Career Change! (Nina Potepan, MSA '21)In this episode, we chat with Nina Potepan (MSA '21) about making a career change and learning from an "unsuccessful" job/internship search to succeed in the next. Subtopics include:
Working through a career change and becoming a good storyteller
Standing out as a candidate when you do not have direct experience
Staying motivated and growing from an "unsuccessful" recruitment season
Understanding the difference between interviews with recruiters and hiring managers
Asking smart and relevant questions during interviews
Using interviews that don't work out as lessons learned for the next opportunity
Episode hosted by Stefano from the...
2020-01-0354 minZicklin GCMC PodcastNot Fearing the Pivot - Giving Yourself Flexibility in Getting to Your Goals (Maribel Lara, MBA ’09)In this episode, Maribel Lara (MBA ’09), Senior Vice President and Head of Consulting at The Sasha Group, A VaynerX Company, speaks about what she calls “the pivot” that people can experience in their lives.* Students can put a lot of pressure on themselves about their first job out of their graduate program. When there’s that much pressure, it can oftentimes increase the chances of being disappointed.
Maribel talks about how she focused on the things she enjoyed working on, the things she wanted to learn and the work culture she wanted to guide her in her search.
2020-01-0236 minZicklin GCMC PodcastBuilding Skills Outside the Classroom, Including Emotional Intelligence and Communication (Kevin Yuey, MBA '20)In this episode, we chat with Kevin Yuey (MBA '20) on building skills outside the classroom, including emotional intelligence, communication, and time management... right before Thanksgiving! Subtopics include:
Managing multiple responsibilities and finding time for them
Taking action and battling fears of failure, seeing them as lessons learned
Communicating efficiently and managing people's emotions
Understanding different communication channels, including in-person and email
Writing clear, thoughtful, and appropriate emails at work
Understanding people's perceptions, including how people interpret what you say
Acknowledging the right time and environment for certain work conversations
Episode hosted by Stefano from the GCMC...
2019-11-2644 minZicklin GCMC PodcastHow a Shift in Mindset and Approach Led to Multiple Job Offers (Jennifer Arisumi, MSA ’21)In this episode, Jennifer Arisumi (MSA '21) shares how she went from a negative mindset, believing that she had nothing to offer employers, to accepting three internships in her first semester. Subtopics include:
The importance of framing your message to match roles/industries
How to effectively connect with professionals
Why the biggest/most popular firms are not always best
How a disastrous interview experience became a wake-up call
The power of a support network and asking for help
The advantage of being a student in networking and at the workplace
Episode hosted by Tanuja from the GCMC...
2019-11-2032 minZicklin GCMC PodcastPositivity and Staying Motivated (After OCR... and in Life) (Sue Huang, MSA '19)In this episode, we talk with Sue Huang (MSA '19) about positivity and staying motivated, especially after OCR, but also in life. Subtopics include:
Making difficult career decisions and looking at the big picture
Seeking support from close friends and mentors
Understanding and accepting things outside of your control
Setting a daily routine to stay on track
Reflecting on your accomplishments and setting measurable goals
Keeping an open mind to new opportunities you hadn't considered
Using free time for things outside your day-to-day
Job searching after OCR
Episode hosted by Stefano from the GCMC (https://www.linkedin...
2019-11-1230 minZicklin GCMC PodcastI Survived (and Succeeded In!) My First OCR (Ingrid Qian, MS IS '20)In this episode, we talk with Ingrid Qian (MS IS '20) about her experience during her first-ever OCR. Subtopics include:
How OCR knowledge and experiences can translate outside OCR
Preparing for events, including career fairs, and doing research on employers
Resume and application tips, including making your resume stand out
Interview preparation and techniques, including first-round and second-round interviews
Managing multiple job/internship offers and communicating with employers
Episode hosted by Stefano from the GCMC (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsverdesoto/). To connect with the GCMC, email us at zicklin.gcmc@baruch.cuny.edu to schedule an...
2019-11-0652 minZicklin GCMC PodcastNetworking Can Be Intimidating, But It Can Become Second Nature (Sol Adler, MSA '19)In this episode, we talk with Sol Adler (MSA '19) about his experiences with networking before, during, and after OCR. Subtopics include:
Preparing for conversations and networking events
Understanding how networking takes time and practice
Becoming an interesting person to feel confident and have things to talk about
Starting conversations and putting yourself out there
Being yourself and realizing the role networking plays in your career and life
Episode hosted by Stefano from the GCMC (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsverdesoto/). To connect with Sol, find him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-adler/). To connect...
2019-10-2546 minZicklin GCMC PodcastWhy Curiosity is Important (Elyse Kane, MBA '87)Hiring managers talk all the time that they want “curious” people on their teams. If you even Google “importance of curiosity,” you’ll get pages of results from places like Harvard, videos of thought-leaders like Bill Gates, and articles from psychology blogs about why it’s important for individuals to “be curiosity.”
Many of us have a sense of what “having curiosity” means, but what is curiosity and how can you make sure you are and stay curious?
In this episode, we speak with Zicklin alumna Elyse Kane (MBA ’87), who was most recently Vice President, Insights and Analytics...
2019-08-0820 minZicklin GCMC PodcastBuild Valuable, Life-long Relationships (Pat Hedley)Pat Hedley has three decades of global private equity experience at General Atlantic, and now works with entrepreneurs and mid-sized growth company CEOs to help them accelerate revenue growth, expand their strategic network and maximize their company value. She is also the author of Meet 100 People, A How to Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone's Missing, encouraging everyone to meet people and build valuable life-long relationships.
In this episode, we walk with Pat about what meeting people and building valuable life-long relationships entails, a part of what is involved in networking, including:
Understanding Yourself...
2018-09-1845 minZicklin GCMC PodcastCommunication is Key (Ottaviana De Ruvo, Withum)In this episode, we chat with Ottaviana De Ruvo, Campus Recruiter at Withum.
Topics discussed with Ottaviana include:
Developing your interpersonal communication skills
Non-verbal communication at events and standing out at career fairs
Communicating on-the-job with your team and supervisors
Communicating with senior-level professionals and managers
Understanding different types of communication styles
Withum (https://www.withum.com/) is a nationally ranked public accounting firm providing advisory, tax and audit services to businesses and individuals on a local-to-global scale. Meet Ottaviana and other Withum team members at the Accounting Career Fair and Midsize Accounting Roundtable.
2018-08-2921 minZicklin GCMC PodcastResearching, Understanding, Thinking, and Being Curious (Jamie Rizzo, MSA, Aflac Global Investments)We’re proud to kick off Episode 1 of our Podcast with Jamie Rizzo, a Zicklin MS Accounting alumnus with more than two decades of experience in business and finance. He is currently an asset manager at Aflac Global Investments.
Topics discussed with Jamie include:
Researching Deeper: Doing effective research about companies you’re looking to apply to or with which you’ll be interviewing beyond what you just find on the website.
Really Understanding the Role: Researching the role for which you’re applying and really understanding what the role is, and why that’s w...
2018-06-2823 min
Zicklin GCMC PodcastNetworking for Introverts: 6 Simple Tips from Employers and AlumniThe unofficial first episode of the GCMC Podcast, covering networking for introverts. To connect with the GCMC, email us at zicklin.gcmc@baruch.cuny.edu to schedule an appointment. Thank you for listening!
2018-05-2117 min
BusinessGCMC: Guerrilla Marketing for a Bulletproof CareerOrganized by the Graduate Career Management Center of the Baruch Zicklin School of Business, the speaker for this 45 minutes series lecture, Andrew Neitlich, is co-authored with Jay Conrad Levinson for the book entitled: Guerrilla Marketing for a Bulletproof Career. The program draws major focus on career leadership, development, and management with advices specific to new MBA students and tips of 7 key steps to success in students' first 90 days.
2013-03-2856 min
BusinessCareer Week (2007): Accounting PanelA panel of accounting professionals discusses the accounting field, their careers and job functions, and reflects upon the skills and qualifications necessary to be successful in accounting.
The event is hosted by the Graduate Career Management Center (GCMC) and moderated by Tracy Chamard Handler, director of the GCMC at the Zicklin School of Business. Baruch students Joohee Seo and Haris Bajwa introduce the event.
Panelists include: Jacqueline Ferrari, Tax Associate, Wealth and Tax Advisory Services; Erika L. Mitchell, Manager, Quality and Risk Management, Ernst & Young; Vidya Murali, Manager, Finance and Operations, Corporate Responsibility, Time Warner; Marc...
2012-08-151h 20