Brandeis International Business School

Business school is all about building your professional network.

You never know when a new connection will introduce you to a future career opportunity, or spark fresh insights about your industry.

This is why Industry Treks are such valuable experiential learning opportunities for students at Brandeis International Business School!

My trek experience in New York City was nothing short of amazing. Over several days I interacted with professionals across various sectors of finance, including commercial and investment banking, portfolio management, compliance, trading and more.

During visits to BNP Paribas, BlackRock and HSBC, I built my network, learned about various career paths and experienced each company’s culture firsthand.

Networking is an essential skill for aspiring business professionals. Here’s what I learned during my time in New York City.

Tips from Brandeis alumni at BNP Paribas

While networking can sometimes feel daunting, my interactions during the Industry Trek taught me several valuable lessons about how to approach it more effectively.

Our panel discussion at BNP Paribas was a highlight of the trip. Featuring International Business School alumni Rahul Chhugani, MSF’21 and Iskender Dildaev, MBA’07, the speaker lineup also included representatives from various teams, including Investment Banking, Campus Recruiting, Compliance and Structured Debt.

The panelists all said curiosity is key to successful networking. One memorable quote: “Be more concerned with being interested than being interesting.” This resonated with me because it emphasized the importance of asking thoughtful questions while networking, rather than just showcasing your own skills and experiences.

The BNP Paribas panelists each shared their own unique networking experiences that helped them secure their positions. They also urged us to stay active with student clubs and on-campus events, highlighting how extracurricular engagement at Brandeis can equip you with valuable discussion points as you network.

Overall, the most significant insight I left with was the importance of kindness while networking. By embracing genuine curiosity and kindness, you’ll be poised to build meaningful connections that will have a lasting impact.

The Brandeis alumni network is a huge asset!

In addition to company visits, the alumni networking event in New York City hosted by the Career Strategies and Engagement Center offered a unique opportunity to connect with Brandeis graduates working in various finance roles.

And while I certainly had plans to speak with specific alumni, it was the unexpected conversations that made the event memorable! Having shared experiences at Brandeis made it easy to connect. The alumni I met were incredibly kind and inclusive.

One key lesson I learned from an alumnus: always follow up, not just to maintain the connection but to continue building a relationship over time.

For me, this reinforced a key takeaway: Networking is a continuous process, where genuine interest and consistent communication can lead to long-term professional relationships rather than just one-time interactions.

Student Insights features blog posts produced by current students and recent graduates of Brandeis International Business School. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author.