How My St. John's Experience Led Me to a Career at Goldman Sachs

When I began my journey at St. John's University, I already knew I wanted to major in accounting. Growing up, I was always drawn to mathematics and enjoyed keeping track of my finances. While I was in high school, my mother first suggested accounting as a potential career path. At first, I was skeptical. Like many students, I had a limited understanding of what accountants actually did.

As I researched the profession further, I discovered forensic accounting, a field that combines financial investigation and crime detection. The idea of uncovering financial misconduct fascinated me and ultimately sparked my interest in the accounting profession. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into a passion, and I entered St. John’s hoping to explore the many paths the accounting profession had to offer while finding where I fit best.

Getting Involved on Campus

One of the most rewarding parts of my college experience has been becoming involved outside the classroom. Throughout my time at St. John’s, I have been fortunate to participate in organizations that have shaped both my personal and professional development.

I became involved with the Thomas J. Cox Jr. Honors Advisory Board (CHAB), which I had the privilege of founding and serving as President. Through CHAB, I worked alongside students and administrators to improve the honors student experience while organizing professional development opportunities, workshops, and events.

In addition to CHAB, I became active in Beta Alpha Psi, Accounting Scholars, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and Beta Gamma Sigma. Each organization provided unique opportunities to network, learn from professionals, and connect with students who shared similar goals and ambitions.

Beyond academics and professional organizations, intramural sports became an important outlet for me. They provided a way to clear my mind, stay active, and maintain balance while managing the demands of classes, internships, leadership roles, and work.

Most importantly, these organizations introduced me to friendships and mentors who have become some of the most meaningful parts of my college experience.

Academic Experience

The classroom provided the foundation for my professional journey. Through my accounting coursework at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, I developed a strong understanding of financial reporting, taxation, auditing, and business operations.

The Thomas J. Cox Jr. Honors Program enhanced that experience by encouraging me to think critically, challenge myself, and explore opportunities beyond traditional coursework. One of the most impactful lessons I learned came from Niall C. Hegarty, Ed.D., Director of the Honors Program, who once told me, “It’s great to know what you love to do in life, but it’s even better to know what you dislike.”

That advice proved incredibly valuable. Early in my college career, I worked in Internal Audit on campus as my first step into the accounting profession. While the experience taught me valuable skills, it also helped me realize that audit was not the area of accounting I wanted to pursue. Instead of viewing that realization as a setback, I saw it as progress toward finding the career path that best fit my interests.

Professional Experience and Internships

The experiences that most influenced my career path occurred outside the classroom through internships, networking opportunities, and professional development programs.

Meet the Firms served as my first major introduction to the accounting recruiting process. However, the support of Beta Alpha Psi, Accounting Scholars, and the Cox Honors Program helped elevate that experience. Through site visits, networking events, and professional development opportunities, I visited several of the largest accounting and financial services firms in the world and developed meaningful connections with professionals who were once in my shoes.

These experiences led to opportunities I never imagined when I first arrived at St. John’s. I attended an expense-paid leadership conference at Disney with PwC; participated in networking events and professional outings with Ernst & Young; and eventually earned internship opportunities with both KPMG and Deloitte. I also had the opportunity to visit Deloitte University in Texas and gain exposure to the firm’s culture and leadership development programs.

Perhaps the most significant professional opportunity came when I was offered a position with Goldman Sachs in its Federal Tax Department. For the past year and several months, I have worked alongside talented professionals while gaining hands-on experience in taxation. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to learn, and the experience has confirmed that tax is the area of accounting where I see myself building a long-term career.

Leadership and Personal Growth

Looking back, college has taught me far more than accounting principles and technical skills. Through leadership positions, internships, work experiences, and campus involvement, I developed confidence, communication skills, and adaptability.

Founding and leading CHAB challenged me to take initiative, solve problems, and advocate for my fellow students. Balancing academics, work at Goldman Sachs, leadership responsibilities, and extracurricular activities strengthened my time-management skills and taught me how to prioritize effectively.

Perhaps most importantly, I learned the value of stepping outside my comfort zone. Many of the opportunities that shaped my college experience began with a simple decision to attend an event, apply for a program, or introduce myself to someone new.

Advice for Students Interested in Business or Accounting

My advice for students considering accounting, taxation, finance, or business is simple: get involved early and stay open-minded.

Attend networking events, join student organizations, apply for internships, and talk to professionals whenever possible. Every experience, even those that do not become your long-term career path, teaches you something valuable.

Do not be afraid to discover that something is not for you. Sometimes understanding what you dislike is just as important as discovering what you love. The more experiences you pursue, the closer you will get to finding the career path that truly fits your interests and strengths.

My Final Thoughts

When I first arrived at St. John’s University, I hoped to find a career path that matched my interests. What I found was much more than that. Through the honors program, professional organizations, internships, leadership opportunities, and lifelong friendships, I gained experiences that have shaped who I am today.

One of the highlights of my college journey was traveling to Ireland through the Cox Honors Program. The experience allowed me to explore a new culture, learn from global business leaders, and create friendships and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

As I continue pursuing a career in taxation and work toward becoming a certified public accountant, I am grateful for the opportunities, mentors, and relationships that have guided me along the way. My college experience did not just prepare me for a profession; it helped me discover the person and professional I aspire to become.