Graduate’s advice to incoming class: get involved early and apply yourself to opportunities

“Get involved as soon as possible,” is Matt Iaccarino’s advice to new students.  He did and it was key to his entire Rutgers Business School (RBS) experience.

“As a commuter student, I knew that I had to really apply myself to make my connections at school in a way that students living on campus may not have to,” Iaccarino said.  “I find satisfaction in helping others; for example, I am active in the Sandwich Making Ministry at my local church.  At RBS I was invited to join Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society, which provided me amble opportunities to volunteer and help both the RBS community and the New Brunswick area.  Helping others was a great way to connect at RBS and make a difference.”

Iaccarino’s involvement, applying himself to opportunities, and leadership led to being one of three students selected to receive Rutgers Business School’s Distinguished Leadership Award for 2020. The award is given each year to an undergraduate from both Newark and New Brunswick.  Anna Pisklarov was selected from Newark and Arnav Gulati was selected from the graduate program.

“Quite early during my time at Rutgers Business School I was asked to give the ‘new student tour’ that I had only recently received,” he said.  “It must have gone well because soon thereafter I was invited to join the RBS Ambassador Program that provides a range of student services.

“Working with Donna Brancato and Christine Yannuzzi in the Ambassador Program was very rewarding.  Besides giving tours, I led and oversaw three interview teams and assisted Donna with payroll and interviewing new ambassadors each term.  I’m analytical in my approach to tasks and these processes were labor intensive and time consuming.  I was able to help automate and digitize the ambassador application and review process.  Since the COVID-19 outbreak, students in the building and ambassadors leading tours is quite questionable at least for the near future.  However, Dean Marty Markowitz’ office members were able to share and review applications and select the new ambassadors which they would not have been able to do with the old paper file system.

“Faculty were also supportive and involved with students.  Professors Ron Richter and Ben Sopranzetti standout to me.  For two hours every Wednesday at 1:30 Professor Sopranzetti spoke with students, mentored them and answered questions.

“I wasn’t really aware of treasury management before taking a course with Professor Richter who also opened some opportunities to me.  Every faculty member with whom I spoke was supportive and willing to help.  Through the Ambassador Program and faculty mentoring, I connected with Rutgers Business School and I am changed for the better.

“I learned about Stryker Corporation, a Fortune 500 medical technologies firm, at an RBS Career Fair.  An internship turned into a full time placement.  I’ll start in their ‘Finance & Accounting Rotational’ (FAR) leadership development program.  For three years I’ll rotate through functional roles and geographical location, gaining formal training and job shadows, interactions with senior leadership, and global exposure to business partners. 

“At Stryker, as I did at Rutgers Business School, I will get involved as soon as possible and apply myself to make my connections in my career.”

-Sean Ireland