What initially sparked your interest in finance, and how did that passion evolve during your time at Touro NYSCAS?

I grew up watching two of my uncles and several family friends thrive in the finance field and always thought that I would enjoy the fast pace this type of job required, and the negotiations that are often needed. After completing two internships in high school with a residential mortgage broker, I knew this was my ideal future career. While I originally started my college journey at Baruch, after returning from my studies in Israel, I was told my credits earned abroad wouldn’t transfer so I decided to look at other options to further my education. When I came across NYSCAS during my research process, I quickly realized that it offered me a flexible course schedule that would enable me to maintain a good life balance as a college student. Once enrolled, I started to see just how much I enjoyed the classes that I took, which provided me with foundational knowledge on key topics including investing and real estate that are vital to be successful in this ever-changing field.

Congrats on recently starting a new role as a commercial mortgage broker! Can you talk about some of your daily responsibilities?

As Vice President at Lion Creek Real Estate Capital, I continue to thrive in the performance-driven environment it provides. Rather than relying on a fixed salary, I’m motivated by the direct correlation between my efforts and the results. The harder I work, the greater the potential rewards, which makes the role both challenging and exciting for me. During a typical workday, I arrange financing for deals (typically worth $5 million or above) and make cold calls to potential leads. Sometimes, just picking up the phone and asking someone if they’re looking to purchase a property will lead to a deal. Even just an introduction can prompt someone to refer me as a trusted source if they know someone looking to acquire or refinance a property. It’s also key that I leverage my personal connections that I worked hard to cultivate since I started working in this field as oftentimes, they will connect me with a friend, business partner or colleague who is looking for a broker to help them with a deal. As interest rates continue to drop, I’m getting busier by the day and am currently working on deals throughout the country!

As a working student, how did NYSCAS help you to maintain a balance between your academic, professional, and personal life?

My Touro professors helped me to enhance my productivity and efficiency as they taught me skills including financial analysis. I’ve always excelled at balancing many things at once and I think the only way to be successful is by staying very organized and maintaining a strict schedule. Discipline is imperative for me, and I never start my day any later than 6:00 am. I prioritize my most important and time sensitive tasks first and then work my way through everything else on my daily to do list.

What skills would you say you learned at Touro that you’re now leveraging on the job?

As a Touro student, I was able to develop my writing skills, which is a skillset that I use daily when emailing current and prospective clients. The finance courses that I took, taught by Professor Angelo DeCandia, piqued my interest in the field on a greater level and helped me to better understand the nuances that working in this field involves.

How important was networking in securing your current job, and do you have any tips on building professional connections?

My dad always told me to be nice to everyone and to form connections with anyone I encounter because you never know when you will meet them again in a business scenario. While in my second to last semester at Touro, I started applying for jobs but because of skyrocketing interest rates, few companies were hiring. When I found out that my uncle’s old boss who I played hockey with was starting a new company, I reached out to him and got an interview. In the finance industry, it’s a lot about people who you know but also continuously moving outside of your comfort zone and approaching people even if you don’t always receive a positive response. Additionally, it’s helpful for me to regularly attend finance-related events to gain access to people who have more experience than me as they share best practices and tips they’ve learned from decades of working in the field.

What is your dream career and why?

Truthfully, my current role is close to what I imagined for my dream career. It’s a great mix of pushing myself to the limit and talking to different people with diverse backgrounds, which helps me to grow both personally and professionally. In mortgage brokering, I love that there’s no ceiling and that I can make as much money as possible if I continue to work hard. Closing a deal requires patience and persistence, yet it’s an exciting journey and I’ve seen firsthand that the harder you work, the bigger the reward.

Any advice you’d give to another student interested in getting started in the finance industry?

I would say to take advantage of the knowledge offered to you, including from your professors. Ensure that you’re taking your education seriously and jump on every opportunity that will help you learn about the industry you’re hoping to break into. Work hard, be consistent, always be dependable, and the sky is the limit.