By Jiaxin Karen Lu, Peer for Career

Kamran Malik is a Baruch alumnus who graduated in the year of 2005, with a major in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Graphic Communications. He currently works at EY as a Senior Consultant. Please see the following advice he has for students.

1. Could you tell us a little bit about your experience in Baruch? Did you participate in any clubs or organizations?

I was involved in the student leadership team called T.E.A.M. Baruch. I taught Freshman Seminar classes and helped new freshmen get acclimated to Baruch. Within T.E.A.M. Baruch were branches of all kinds, including Peers for Careers. After an intense training on how to make the best possible resume and stand out in front of employers, I assisted Baruch students with their resumes and helped them prepare for interviews by holding mock interviews.

2. Please name some steps that helped you obtain your first full time job.
I was fortunate enough to work at the Starr Career Development Center while at Baruch, so I was very on top of my job search from the beginning of my college career. I started interning at Citigroup after my first year in college. My summer internship turned into a part-time internship. While working at Starr, I saw that Citigroup was interviewing for an Analyst program, which I immediately applied to, and I was offered a position. What helped me most was the motivation from watching other students try hard and take time out of their lives to better their interviewing skills and improve their resumes.

3. What are the qualities that are the most valuable for your current position and your company?
I am currently in consulting, where networking and selling yourself is key. You should be able to speak to different levels of management and establish relationships with those individuals. Also, try to be part of the “best of the best” – this means get certified, or take higher education courses whenever you have availability to do so.

4. Could you tell us the challenges you faced when you first started your full-time job?
My biggest challenge was my lack of industry knowledge compared to my peers, because I was fresh out of school, and working among many senior level people, I felt a little intimidated. I was expected to know a lot because I was an intern there, but I really lacked in that area compared to the rest of the team. Fortunately, I was blessed with a wonderful team that helped me in every way possible and guided me to the right courses to excel.

5. If you were to give one piece of advice to Baruch students, what would it be?
Network. Network with everyone! You never know when you may need them, or they need you. Invite everyone you meet to your LinkedIn list. I like to try to find a common ground with someone and have them remember me that way. Have an “elevator pitch” ready to be able to sell yourself to them. If you are an intern, and are taking the elevator up with the CEO, you want to be able to say something to them, to have them remember you.