From Neuroscience to American Express: How STEM Prepared This NYU Graduate for a Business Career

NYU has top programs in business, acting, science, and so many other disciplines. I have always had diverse interests. And I knew that NYU would allow me to explore them all at a high standard alongside ambitious classmates. I was also inspired by the alumni base. The community has leaders in every industry and I wanted to join them.

Inside the classroom I learned to collaborate with students from different majors on group projects. Working with cross-functional partners is very important in business. And outside of the classroom, I completed a few financial services internships and gained useful knowledge.

A few of my courses included experiential aspects such as attending a New York City Ballet performance and visiting an exhibit at The Met. I also was able to complete internships all year round at New York City–based companies, rather than only during the summer.

When I had an idea to found a new student organization, I partnered with the Student Government Assembly, faculty, and administration to make it a reality. I won a President Service’s Award for my work and could not have done it without their support. In addition, my professors provided mentorship and support, from giving feedback on my career plans to writing recommendations for my graduate school applications.

I am highly driven by impact and was fascinated by how capital allows businesses to innovate for change.

Solving and structuring business challenges require a hypothesis-driven mindset. And this came naturally to me given my science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) background. My research experience and data analysis skills were also transferrable to business where forecasting, creating operational processes, and project management are key skills.

If you’re curious about anything, get creative! Ask a professor if you can sit in on a class. Reach out to a current student or NYU graduate on social media. Or send a note to an organization. Nontraditional paths are unintentional. So be open to growth and new experiences, especially ones that help you discover passions.