Category Archive: Career Information | Business and Economics

Career Information

#OneYearOut Interview with Nick DiBucci ’18

By Beth Ryan December 11th 2018

This interview is one of a series of interviews conducted by the Center for Business and Economics Fellows with recent Business & Economics graduates about life after graduation.

This interview was conducted during the Fall 2018 semester by CBE Fellow, Troy Elphinstone ’19 with recent graduate, Nick DiBucci ’18.

Troy: Where are you currently employed? — How did you hear about this position?

Nick: Bank of New York Mellon- My friend who works here told me about the position/program.

Troy: What do you do on a day to day basis?

Nick: I specifically work in Global Proxy Voting as an analyst in the CSD Campus Analyst Program (In simple terms: Placing shareholder votes for people who cannot attend the shareholder meetings). I am in charge of the way we are billed by different markets from a proxy service we use called Broadridge which involves moving different currencies from suspense accounts into general ledgers.

I work on Spanish Premiums (Calculating and distributing funds to shareholders who vote in shareholder meetings in Spain). I get to work with 3rd party proxy voting vendors like ISS and Glass Lewis to find missing ballots and find reasons why client shares were not voted upon, which involves calculating the number of shares on record and using market specific voting laws to find out why the client did not get to vote in the meeting.

Then I work on the Campus Analyst program’s goals which is process improvement and using technology to make the bank more cost efficient. This involves getting the Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt certification by working on a 3 month long automation project that will make the bank more efficient in the ways of cost, risk, and productivity. Also, I have to run data analytics like regressions to find root problems and poor tendencies with my departments financial and productivity reports to reduce risk in my department.

Troy: How did Allegheny help prepare you for your current job?

Nick: It prepared me by always keeping me very busy and teaching me how to balance class, sports, and my company. I use what I have learned while trying to balance my everyday job and the automation projects that I am in charge of for the program. Also, the comp was a great way to refine my stats knowledge before having to use it every day.

Troy: What advice would you give to current Allegheny students?

Nick: Be curious—learn a skill, master it, and move onto the next one.

#OneYearOut Interview with Emma Dimattio ’18

By Beth Ryan December 5th 2018

This interview is one of a series of interviews conducted by the Center for Business and Economics Fellows with recent Business & Economics graduates about life after graduation.

This interview was conducted during the Fall 2018 semester by CBE Fellow, Emma Black ’20 with recent graduate, Emma DiMattio ’18.

Emma B: Where are you currently employed? — How did you hear about this position?

Emma D: Shortly after graduation, I began working at UPMC in Talent Acquisition. I found out about this position through a network connection I made at the UPMC All Access Day I went to, with the Economics Department. In the Spring, I ran into this same woman at the WestPACS job fair. She and I later discussed my interests and she got me in contact with a recruiter in TA. I interviewed for the position and accepted the job before graduation.

Emma B: What do you do on a day to day basis?

Emma D: On a day to day basis, I review applications, source for and reach out to potential applicants, conduct phone screens, help prepare for events, and assist the recruiters on our team as needed.

Emma B: How did Allegheny help prepare you for your current job?

Emma D: Allegheny taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever could have imagined, which has inevitably helped me in my current role. Because of this, I am always willing to take on more and challenge myself.

Emma B: What advice would you give to current Allegheny students?

My advice to current students would be to always present yourselves in a way that exemplifies your strengths because you never know who you will meet or who will see these actions, and what they could do to help you in the future.

#OneYearOut Interview with Patrick Donathen ’17

By Beth Ryan November 29th 2018

This interview is one of a series of interviews conducted by the Center for Business and Economics Fellows with recent Business & Economics graduates about life after graduation.

This interview was conducted during the Fall 2018 semester by CBE Fellow, Jack Goodman ’19 with recent graduate, Patrick Donathen ’17.

Patrick Donathen '18 — Patrick Donathen ’17

Jack: Where are you currently employed? How did you hear about this position?

Patrick: I am a current first year law student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Between undergraduate and law school, I worked as an Operations Analyst at BNY Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA. During my senior year at Allegheny, I applied to many positions at BNY and was actually rejected from all of them. However, at that time, the bank was beginning a new management development program, HR saw my resume in their job application system, liked it, and cold called me about the position. I got my first job offer through luck and persistence.

Jack: What do you do on a day to day basis?

As an analyst, I worked on a six person team in Derivatives. I was a work-flow leader responsible for ensuring all collateral trades were processed daily. I approved client and broker security trades and cash wires up to $100 million before market deadlines. I reconciled and corrected accounting breaks for real time client records. I also monitored my team’s group mailbox, responding to all internal inquiries about collateral processing. On top of that, I worked towards earning my Six Sigma Greenbelt. This was my favorite part as I was able to leverage my data analytics skills learned in the Economics Department to solve real-world problems and was given an opportunity to present my results to high level managers.

Jack: How did Allegheny help prepare for your current job?

Patrick: My biggest take away from Allegheny was the ability to think. In the business world, nothing is static, the world is constantly changing. To succeed, you have to be able to learn on the job, adapt to an ever changing world, and challenge the status quo. A liberal arts degree taught me the thinking and analytical skills needed to thrive is this kind of environment.

Jack: What advice would you give to current Allegheny students?

Patrick: Do not get discouraged from the stream of internship or job application rejections. It happens to all of us. I applied to thirty positions my senior year of college and only made it to four interviews. That being said, be persistent and do not give up on yourself. All it takes is for one person to give you an opportunity. When you get that opportunity, give it your all and leverage that into a stepping stone of where you want to go. I’m very proud of my alma mater and believe Allegheny makes us competitive with the best of the best.

A Roadmap for Careers in Business and Economics

By Beth Ryan November 9th 2018

Thursday November 15, 12-15 – 1:15 pm
Quigley Auditorium, lunch provided

How do you go about taking charge of your future?

Attend this Lunchtime Learning as Chris Allison ’83, Entrepreneur in Residence provides his unique insights on how to make the most of your Allegheny College studies and move into that critical first job or the graduate school of your choice after graduation.

Chris Allison ’83 Entrepreneur in Residence and Co-Director, Allegheny College Center for Business and Economics

Professor Allison is the former Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Tollgrade Communications Inc. He is both Entrepreneur in Residence and the Co-Director of the Center for Business & Economics. A published author of two books and multiple articles in the Pittsburgh media, his teaching and research interests include Managerial Economics, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Investing Theory, Writing and Public Speaking.

The Center for Business and Economics welcomes Darren Koch ’99 as the 2018 Executive in Residence

By Beth Ryan November 2nd 2018

Mr. Koch returns to Allegheny College on November 8-9 to discuss topics and careers in big data, business analytics, and leadership.

The Executive in Residence program is a co-curricular activity sponsored by the Center for Business and Economics. The event is designed to connect Allegheny students and faculty with prominent business executives who spend several days on the Allegheny campus speaking about their life experiences in business, paths to success and lessons learned.

During his visit, Koch will meet with students with interests in business, economics, math, and computer science. He will present two public lectures for the Allegheny Community:

Thursday, November the 8^thTillotson Room, Tippie Alumni Center from 12:15 – 1:15 pm with lunch provided beginning at noon

“Big Data in Action: Real-time Pricing for Internet Travel”

Hotwire.com processes roughly 100k transactions per day. Learn how big data and micro-economics collide to deliver significant value.

Friday, November the 9^thQuigley Hall Auditorium, 12:15 – 1:15 pm with lunch provided beginning at noon

“Learning to Lead: How Allegheny Shaped My Leadership Style”

The leaders of tomorrow are humble, curious, and willing to take on the unknown. Learn about one Alleghenian’s path to business success.

About Darren Koch:

Darren Koch ’99 is the Chief Product Officer at SAP Ariba, a subsidiary of SAP. SAP is a multinational software company with over 80,000 employees and $26 billion in revenues. SAP Ariba runs the world’s largest business network, helping firms to manage their global supply chains and collaborate with their suppliers. SAP Ariba’s services enable the largest companies in the world to manage $2 trillion in spending. As Chief Product Officer, Mr. Koch is responsible for leading SAP Ariba’s Product and Innovation team. This team’s responsibilities include product strategy & management, engineering & development, cloud operations, pricing and positioning. Mr. Koch has previously held positions at Concur and Hotwire. He majored in Economics and Math at Allegheny. He has an MBA from UC Berkeley and an MS in Management Science/Operations Research from Case Western. Learn more at www.ariba.com

CBE Fellows Help Classmates Navigate Their Allegheny Journey

By Beth Ryan October 24th 2018

2018 CBE Fellows Student Panel — CBE Fellows participating on the October 23 Gator Day Panel – Carlos Sanchez ’20, Trevor Day ’20, Jack Goodman ’19, Troy Elphinstone ’19, Emma Black ’20

Four years seems like a long time when you are in high school, but during the 2018 Gator Day student panel, the CBE Fellows assured underclassmen that the 4 years flies by too fast. The Fellows shared these tips for a satisfying college career and how to successfully land your ideal internship and first job after graduation:

Start early and make an appointment with the Career Education team, let them know your interests and help you to put a polish on your resume and interviewing skills. When they get to know you, they will send opportunities your way.

Get involved on campus early and take a leadership role, don’t sit on the sidelines. Employers look for candidates with leadership and communication skills who work well in teams.

Network with other students, alumni, your professors and Career Education, let them know your interests and ask for their advice. Where? Attend CBE events, sign up for This Week in ECON newsletter, have a LinkedIn profile, attend Alumni events, Career Education’s information sessions. career fairs and use Gator Connect.

Take a lot of different classes to discover your interests, learning what you do not like is just as important as what you do like. Grades are very important, but don’t obsess about them; in your interview, emphasize experience over grades. All jobs are good to mention, even if they don’t seem important to you, your interviewer will be very interested in what you learned from the experience.

The Study Abroad option here at Allegheny is an unforgettable experience. If you know you are going to study abroad, start saving your money early because chances are the cost of living in another country will be much higher than they are here in Meadville. Everyone should consider a study abroad or EL experience.

Don’t be too proud to ask for help, that’s the key to success.

Don’t let rejection defeat you, use it as motivation to keep trying. Set a goal to apply for at least two internships a day, and let Career Education know what you’re doing so they can help.

Be proud of Allegheny College and your accomplishments here. Your education will prepare you for anything that comes your way and you will learn that the Allegheny education has a highly regarded reputation everywhere you go.

High Impact Interviewing; How to Ace Your Next Interview and Reach Your Career Goals

By Beth Ryan September 7th 2018

You went to Resume Doctor and created a rock star resume.
You got your application in on time.
Much to your delight, you were selected for an interview!
How do you prepare? What happens if they ask a question you can’t answer?

On September 11, Career Education and the Center for Business & Economics will welcome Steve Gavatorta ’85 Speaker, Trainer and Coach at a special Lunchtime Learning where he will help students master the Secrets of High Impact Interviewing based on his experience working with hundreds of major companies from General Electric to Pepsico.

Students of all majors will benefits from Steve’s insights on how major companies select the candidates for internships and entry level jobs and how students can prepare in advance. Join us in Quigley Auditorium from 12:15 – 1:30 pm on Tuesday, September 11 to learn how to develop a successful strategy to enable you to ace that interview.

About Steve Gavatorta

Steve Gavatorta, 1985 graduate of Allegheny College, is owner of the Steve Gavatorta Group, specializes in empowering individuals and organizations in identifying, developing, and exceeding performance goals. Steve’s had the privilege of coaching and training thousands of high performers in industries including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, finance, media, and advertising. From small businesses on the move to Fortune 500 companies, Steve collaborates with organizations to build foundations, set goals, and eclipse their highest potential.

Steve is also author of the recently published book In Defense of Adversity – Turning Your Toughest Challenges Into Your Greatest Success. He is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA) and Certified Professional Values Analyst (CPVA), a certified Myers-Briggs practitioner, and accredited to coach and train for Emotional Intelligence (EQ). He enjoys martial arts, practicing Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and yoga, and traveling to new places to recharge his batteries. Steve currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

Careers in Financial Planning

By Beth Ryan August 27th 2018

Students of all majors are invited to a special CBE Lunchtime Learning presentation on Careers in Financial Planning. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for financial planners or advisers was $90,640 in May 2017. Employment of personal financial planners/advisers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2025, much faster than average for all occupations.

Attend this event to learn more about the pathways to careers in financial planning and the potential opportunities for Allegheny students with distinguished alumni presenters Stuart Armstrong ’81 and Blaine Aikin ’76. Stuart will share his improbable journey as an Allegheny graduate with a degree in biology from the laboratory to his career transition to financial planner where he pursues his passion for helping his clients to chart their course to financial independence. Blaine Aikin, CFP®, CFA, AIFA® served on the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards from 2013 until 2017, and as Chair of CFP Board in 2017. Blaine will enlighten us about the benefits for students who wish to add this prestigious certification to their Allegheny degree.

We will be serving free pizza for as long as it lasts – so mark your calendar for Thursday, September 6 for this special lunch hour event. Students will have to opportunity to speak with Stuart and Blaine during office hours following this presentation. Please contact Beth Ryan to schedule your appointment by stopping in at Quigley #224, email bryan@allegheny.edu or calling 332-2385.

Stuart Armstrong II
CFP®, CLU®, CLTC, ADPA®, AIF® Financial Planner

Since 1986, clients have chosen Stuart Armstrong as their lead advisor because he is able to help them chart their course to financial independence with patience, integrity and wisdom. Stuart graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Stuart has obtained various industry designations, including: CFP® (Certified Financial Planner®), ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant®), CLU® (Charted Life Underwriter®), CLTC (Certified in Long Term Care), ADPA® (Accredited Domestic Partner Advisor®), and AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary®).

Stuart was honored to serve a three-year term from 2013 through 2015 on the National Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the largest membership of financial planners in the United States. He is currently a member of the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning Advisory Council and also serves on the Mass Audubon Advisory Council.

In his spare time, Stuart is active in volunteering for various Boston area non-profit groups. Stuart can often be seen skiing, off to the movies and plays or out in his growing garden. Stuart has lived in the Boston area for over thirty years and he currently resides in Milton with his partner, Mike, and their cat Geo.

Blaine Aiken Blaine Aikin
Executive Chairman Fi360

Blaine is executive chairman of Fi360 and a recognized thought-leader in the field of financial advice and fiduciary responsibility. He joined Fi360 in 2005 as chief knowledge officer, became chief executive officer in 2007, and was named executive chairman in 2015. He led the rise to prominence of the company’s professional development capabilities, investment management platform for advisors, and business research and practice management services that help advisors and financial institutions profitably gather, grow and protect investor assets. His rich experience includes having been a financial planning practitioner, chief investment officer and corporate executive responsible for the design, delivery and management of investment products.

Blaine is a well-known speaker and author of numerous articles on the subjects of fiduciary responsibility and investment management. He is the author of the monthly Fiduciary Corner column in Investment News magazine. He has been named to Investment Advisor magazine’s IA25 list of the most influential people in the investment advisory community and one of the 10 most influential individuals in the 401(k) industry by RIABiz. He is currently chair of the Board of Directors for the CFP Board of Standards.

Blaine received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Allegheny College and his Master of Public Management and Policy degree from the Heinz School of Carnegie-Mellon University. Upon graduation from CMU, he was selected for the prestigious Presidential Management Intern Program. He is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP® ) professional, Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA® ) charter holder and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® (AIFA® ) designee.

An avid outdoorsman, Blaine serves on the leadership council of the Pennsylvania Center for Private Forests and is active in the Pennsylvania Forest Stewards program.