Brian Malkerson worked as a consultant at Mercer Management Consulting and in private equity at J.H. Whitney, before starting an MBA at NYU Stern. He eventually hopes to start his own company and so wants the MBA experience to contribute as much as possible to his dreams. As co-president of the Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Club (EEX), he talks about the main goals of his club, important factors in entrepreneurial success, and important speakers from TechCrunch and OMGPOP.
What are your club's big initiatives this year?
Last year for EEX we wanted to do a few things. For one, continue to partner with startup organizations in NYC and serve as a hub for entrepreneurship activity (see answer to question below for organizations). We also coordinated events with other schools (e.g. Columbia) and we met with a startup camp in Europe and a soon to be formed VC backed accelerator in Rio. All of these initiatives focus on bringing interesting opportunities to our members. We also wanted to start providing instruction for more startup focused skill-sets that business schools tend to lack. Similar to the NY startup SkillShare (whom we also partnered with for the RaiseCache event), we invited in speakers to teach students specific skills (e.g. Technology for startup Business CEOs, Biz Dev for startups, etc.).
What is the mission and long-term goal of the Entrepreneurs' Exchange Club?
Our mission is to engage startup activity at NYU and within the broader NYC community to give students a platform to successfully start their own company or get experience joining other successful startups.
What companies are you partnering with?
We (EEX) partner with Entrepreneur's Roundtable, UltraLight Startups, NYEBN, Sourcepad, Raise Cache. These groups help bring top industry professionals to speak as well as great events where NYC startups pitch to VC panels. Because we host all of these events at NYU (NYU also hosts the NY Tech Meetup, the largest meetup in the country) it provides a great networking / educational access to our students.
How many members do you have?
~1500+ (including alums - ~350 full-time current students)
A bit about your personal background: what were you doing pre-MBA?
I did management consulting in New York (I worked with companies ranging from airlines to large software firms: IBM, SAP, CA) and then I worked in Private Equity in Connecticut
Where do you see yourself after you complete your MBA?
Working at a startup, and eventually starting my own company. Also, actively helping others in what they are working on. I hope to stay involved and active in the NYC/NYU startup community.
Who is the most exciting speaker you've had this year?
We had Dan Porter interviewed by former TechCrunch editor Erick Schonfeld at our annual summit right after Dan sold OMGPOP to Zynga for ~$200M. OMGPOP had been close to going bankrupt and pulled off a remarkable turnaround (not to mention he re-hired employees he had to let go earlier right before the acquisition so they could benefit too).
What would you say is the most important factor in entrepreneurial success?
The ability to believe in an idea so passionately that even though most people will tell you that you will likely not succeed, you continue on and inspire others to join / help you.
Student Reviews
New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business
What built my love for NYU
My involvement with NYU has been astonishing thanks to individuals there, yet I truly do figure they could improve in the area of offering understudies sage monetary guidance. I only have more inquiries in regards to my school consistently. I truly like how different and comprehensive my school is generally speaking. By and large, individuals are thoughtful, well disposed, and exceptionally splendid. I'm propelled to work harder by my incredible speakers and companions. Assets and encounters are unparalleled. In spite of the fact that it isn't a great fit for everybody, I love going to a major metropolitan school. The main things I need were that it was more affordable and farther away from my folks.
Experienced educators
NYU is known for its focus on providing students with hands-on experiences. They offer numerous opportunities for exploration. The classes are enjoyable, and the professors display genuine passion for both their subjects and their students. The professors at NYU are highly knowledgeable in their fields and are always available to lend a helping hand as long as you make the effort to approach them. Joining a research laboratory is highly encouraged and can provide you with priceless experience. The professors not only care for students but are also highly intelligent. They prioritize the success of their students in their future careers.
Graduate Acting in a Nutshell
NYU's Graduate Acting program has consistently been recognized in the world's top 5 acting graduate programs for years. With an unprecedented pandemic commencing in my first year in the program, I experienced the type of innovation worthy of that world recognition. The ability to pivot entirely, yet maintain an extremely high level of education was truly profound. I consistently found myself being pushed in ways I wasn't aware I needed to be. The access to industry professionals for advice, guidance, and leadership means the transition after graduation is much less daunting than going it alone.
Simply the best school
This school is truly outstanding. In essence, there is no other educational institution that can surpass its exceptional performance and unparalleled attention to detail. It not only boasts state-of-the-art equipment, but also houses exceptional professors who are available to guide and instruct students on their usage.
Quality curriculum
NYU is a wonderful school where you can really learn anything you want to know. New York College gives probably the best training inside a city climate. I can see NYU becoming a leader in the technology and infrastructure industries thanks to its rapidly expanding engineering school. I love the delightful way proficient the teachers are and how the educational plan is set up.
Amazing school environment
The campus of New York University is very diverse, has excellent programs, and the professors are nice. NYU's location is fantastic because it is close to Manhattan. There is so much to learn about and such a lively environment created by the city. Additionally, I believe that the urban location of the campus aids students in developing important life skills.
Transformative experience
The experience of going to New York University (NYU) has been transformational. An environment that is conducive to study is created by the lively campus and multicultural community. NYU provides a comprehensive education that goes beyond the classroom thanks to the access to limitless opportunities in the center of New York City. The student experience is further improved by the support services and extracurricular activities. I wholeheartedly endorse NYU as a fantastic university.
This programe was strong!
The studies we're great, I learned the ins & outs of modern history. The subjects taught were on point (biology, art, etc.)
The staff was well trained and were very helpful and kind. Facilities were also on point.
The pricing can be a bit expensive though, but it is worse in Massachusetts.
NYU's Undergrad Accounting
The Stern School of Business provides the undergraduate accounting program at New York University. Students are prepared for careers in accounting, finance, and related fields through this highly regarded program. In addition to a comprehensive business education, the program provides students with a solid foundation in accounting principles.
The educational program remembers courses for monetary bookkeeping, administrative bookkeeping, tax collection, evaluating, and data frameworks. Economics, statistics, finance, and management are also required courses for students.
Through internships and other experiential learning opportunities, students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in addition to the coursework. Additionally, the program has strong connections to leading accounting firms, which may offer students a route to employment opportunities after graduation.
By and large, the undergrad bookkeeping program at New York College is a thorough and extensive program that can give understudies the abilities and information they need to prevail in the field of bookkeeping.
Journalism program
The best professors!!!! Really talented and experienced, full of knowledge and gave really a hands on education. We worked like a real newsroom, got assigned stories and were given the tools to go after them.
