Kickstarting a Career in Finance
Matthew Martinez
Client Associate, Rockefeller Capital Management
Class of 2021
BBA in Finance with a minor in Mathematics
Member Of: Student Government Association, Investment Club, Delta Sigma Pi
Meet Mathew Martinez, Lubin’s Student Ambassador for Pleasantville’s Student Government Association, who is very dedicated to keeping #LubinLife vibrant on campus. As a finance major with a minor in mathematics, Matthew has been growing the Investment Club on campus. He has also been taking advantage of the opportunities offered by Career Service, and he even landed an internship through the on-campus Job and Internship Fair! We talked to Matthew about what his life as a Lubin student is like.
Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?
I transferred to Pace University’s Lubin School of Business after my freshman year at University at Albany. One reason I transferred to Pace was for the smaller class sizes, I learned quickly when I first started college that it was difficult for me to learn with 400 other people in the class. I also love how the teachers here are very accessible. I know if I need one on one help, I can get it. I also chose Lubin because of the hands-on experience-based education model they have. Before coming to Pace, I already had the belief that it is essential, especially in the business field, to get hands-on experience before you graduate from college. Pace offers precisely that with the Career Services office, internship fairs, and multiple companies they bring on campus to talk to students.
You are the Lubin Student Ambassador for the Student Government Association. Tell us what this position entails and what motivated you to take on this role.
The position of Lubin Student Ambassador entails advocating for the students in the Lubin School during our bi-weekly senate meetings. I also strengthen the connection of individuals in the business school by holding a community meeting where all students, teachers, and faculty can meet and discuss common business topics each semester. I have always loved networking and meeting new people, so when I found out that this role offered the opportunity to connect students with faculty in the business school, I immediately set my sights on it.
You had a finance-focused internship last Spring. Tell us about your experience at this internship and what you have learned.
I interned at Foresters Financial Services, now known as Cetera, during my Sophomore year. Throughout this internship, I learned how to professionally conduct meetings with potential clients and what product a financial services company can offer to help individuals reach their monetary goals in the future. Through their internship program, I was able to sit in team meetings and attend client pitches, which was probably my favorite part of the internship.
I highly recommend attending the Job and Internship Fair because that is where I got my internship. Make sure to research the companies that you are most interested in before attending the job fair so that when you engage with the representatives, they can see that you have a high level of interest in their company.
Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking for internships
It is essential that you meet with a Career Services counselor at the start of every semester so you can update your resume and LinkedIn profile in the most effective way. I also highly recommend attending the Job and Internship Fair because that is where I got my internship. Make sure to research the companies that you are most interested in before attending the job fair so that when you engage with the representatives, they can see that you have a high level of interest in their company. My last piece of advice is to apply to as many different types of internships as possible. Before you graduate, you need to try different kinds of jobs to figure out what you really want to do in your career.
You are the President of the Investment Club. Tell us a little bit about this role.
As President of the Investment Club, I try to connect students with similar interests in the stock market and investing in general. I put together our bi-weekly meetings and implemented an online platform to constantly communicate about the fantasy portfolio we manage and changes occurring in the market.
What motivates you to work hard?
What motivates me to work hard is the idea that the business industry is a very competitive place. I am not only competing against the other well-educated business students at Pace but all the other business students around the country looking for similar jobs. To differentiate yourself from other business students, you need to make the most out of your college experience, especially with all the things Lubin has to offer.
What does #LubinLife mean to you?
#LubinLife, to me, is all about hands-on experience. That is what made me choose Pace over other schools. They prepare you for the real world with hands-on internship experience before you graduate. They understand it is just as essential to get experience in the business world before you graduate as it is to get your academic degree.