Co-Presidents Michael Murphy and Brian Pizzitola talk about the most exciting jobs in finance and advantages to being located in New York
Michael Murphy and Brian Pizzitola, were previously a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Account Executive at CBS Interactive respectively, before joining the MBA programme at NYU: Stern. They hope to take what they have learned from Stern to work in investment banking in New York. As Co-Presidents of the Graduate Finance Association, they talk about the benefits of being located in New York and give insights into current jobs in finance.
What are your club's big initiatives this year?Our club has always been strong in working with first year students not only pursuing roles in investment banking but also all other forms of finance. One thing we hope to do this year is to continue to take advantage of our first class location by bringing in guest speakers for our annual conference and for a speaker series. With some of the best finance professionals in the world here in New York, one thing we always try to do at Stern is take advantage of our location.
What is your club's main event of the year, and how do you think it helps prepare members for a career in finance?
Our club's marquee event is the GFA Conference that takes place every year in the Fall. What the conference does for our students is two-fold; not only does it give Stern students an opportunity to meet and speak with some of the industry-shaping leaders of the day, but it also provides panel discussions and keynote speakers to educate students about current trends in the industry and the state of investment banking and finance as a whole. This is extremely valuable in the recruiting process as it allows Stern students to speak eloquently and intelligently about the industry that they are about to enter.
Where do you see yourselves after you complete your MBA?
Following our MBAs, we see ourselves working in investment banking here in New York. We have the luxury of having our business education take place in the world's foremost arena for finance, marketing, media, and fashion, so why leave?!
Are the same numbers of MBAs hoping to land jobs in investment banking compared to five years ago, or do you think interest in this sector has waned?
From our perspective as Graduate Finance Association (GFA) co-presidents, interest among members of the student club has remained strong. We think for students who want to attend business school, investment banking is still an attractive career path because of the critical thinking involved in the work and also the importance of the work with clients.
Where are the most exciting jobs in finance right now?
There are a ton of exciting jobs right now in finance, so it's definitely hard to choose one. With the amount of options that many companies have, from investing in acquisitions or research, to the investment bankers sourcing and putting together deals, to private equity and hedge funds that are investing in companies every day, the dynamic nature of the financial industry is what keeps it exciting day in and day out.
Are you at an advantage being located in downtown Manhattan compared with schools that aren't based near financial centers?
Of course! In fact we would say that being in Manhattan, specifically Greenwich Village, is one of Stern's greatest assets. The ability to take a subway ride down to Wall Street or up to Midtown to meet with industry professionals throughout the recruiting process, allows students to not only soak in more information about the industry, but also to engage in a high-touch relationship with the recruiters at different institutions.
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.
