Kaiser Tan
“Work will work when nothing else will work.”
Fun fact about yourself: I taught myself how to play ukulele at 14.
Hometown: Manchester, New Jersey
High School: Manchester Township High School
Major: Finance
Minor: Marketing
Favorite Business Courses: Investments, Marketing Research, Business Valuation
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles During College:
CEO Business Peer Mentors, Member of Alpha Phi Omega (National Co-Ed Community Service Fraternity), Treasurer/Fundraising Chair for TCNJ Outdoors Club, Dean’s List every semester, Lowell F. Johnson ’34 Scholarship recipient
Where have you interned during your college career?
- Deputy Clerk at United States Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey (Newark, NJ)
- Commercial Lending Intern at Manasquan Bank (Wall, NJ)
Describe your dream Job: Working at a successful bank in New York City, with my own office and a perfect view of the city skyline. But if that doesn’t pan out, I just want to work somewhere where I will be happy and earn a comfortable living.
Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? Bill Gates seems like a pretty marvelous guy. He is super smart, and he and his wife are extremely dedicated to philanthropy. Not to mention, we share a birthday!
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? Majoring in business taught me to be more analytical and how to be more efficient at time-management. It also improved my people skills, and taught me how to always carry myself with respect.
Where would you like to work after graduation? I am seeking a position in either investment banking or financial analysis.
What are your long-term professional goals? Work in New York City for a few years and then maybe earn an MBA.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Don’t just do it because you think it will provide some level of job security in the future. Really have a passion for working hard, seeing tangible results, and trying to get the most out of each class, even if it’s not related to your exact major.
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I realized I had a knack for managing money at a young age. Growing up, ice cream would cost $0.85 from the ice cream man. My mom would give me a dollar and always told me to keep the change. Watching those $0.15 grow over time really made me happy (even though I would eventually spend it on more ice cream).”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. I did JROTC all four years of high school, and I really admire the military.”
“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…some basic economics terms. Microeconomics is the first business class most students will take at TCNJ, and it moves at a fast pace from the beginning.”
What was the happiest moment of your life? Probably when I won first place in the spelling bee in 4th grade. The prior year, I came in fourth place, which meant no trophy. I knew I wasn’t going to leave empty-handed the next time around.
Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of? I used to volunteer for Homefront and tutor inner-city kids at the Mercer County Library. Some of those kids grow up with harsh surroundings and no strong role models to look up to. Even though I was only helping them with simple math or spelling, I felt that I was able to reach some of those kids beyond that point.
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? Tigers! They are fierce and bold and have a super strong aura about them.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents. From an early age, they have always instilled in me the importance of working hard, having respect for oneself and others, putting integrity first, and being determined. To this day, I know I can always go to them for reliable advice.
What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? Kaiser was an awesome guy. Super smart, hardworking, funny, and just someone I liked being around. He was someone who was really good at being himself.
Favorite book: The Old Man and the Sea by Earnest Hemingway
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite musical performer: Chance the Rapper, Ed Sheeran, Hozier
Favorite vacation spot: Philippines (my home country)
What are your hobbies? Going to the gym with my best friend Dale, reading Calvin and Hobbes, playing video games, and eating (a lot).
What made Kaiser such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?
“Mr Tan is bright, hardworking and reliable. He consistently produces high quality work and is a pleasure to deal with. He deserves any accolades coming his way.”
Dr. Lou Tucci
Associate Professor of Marketing
The College of New Jersey
DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017
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