Michael Habib
“The one thing I like more than making people proud is making them laugh.”
Fun fact about yourself: I can do a split.
Hometown: Walpole, MA
High School: Walpole High School
Major: Quantitative Finance and Economics
Minor: Mathematics
Favorite Business Courses:
FIN 475—Financial Modeling and Risk Analysis
ECON 485—Advanced Econometrics
FIN 380—Elemental and Derivative Security Analysis
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Madison Investment Fund—Chief Risk Officer
- College of Business Student Advisory Council—Member
- Office of the Provost—Data Visualization Program
- Undergraduate Research Assistant Program—Research Assistant
- Beta Gamma Sigma International Honors Society—Member
- President’s List Student (2 semesters)
- Dean’s List Student (5 semesters)
- Madison Achievement Scholarship Recipient
Where have you interned during your college career?
- Fidelity Investments—Administrative Intern in Asset Management Compensation; Smithfield, RI; June 2014 – August 2014
- State Street Corporation—Finance Intern in Global Treasury Liquidity Risk Management Analytics; Boston, MA; June 2015 – August 2015
- Capital One Financial Corporation—Global Finance Intern in Balance Sheet Strategy and Planning; McLean, VA; June 2016 – August 2016
Describe your dream Job: At this stage in my life, my dream job isn’t a specific role or title. It is to work in a positive, collaborative environment with motivated, charismatic people. I want an analytical role that challenges and surprises me every day from which I can learn and develop professionally.
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? Majoring in business has given me an invaluable skill set and broad understanding of the world around me. Everything that happens in the world affects the business community in some way, shape or form. As a business student, I think about current events as how they will affect both the economy and the financial markets. My business background has allowed me to stretch my thinking and make connections beyond headline news.
Where would you like to work after graduation? I will be starting work at Capital One as a Finance Rotation Program Associate upon graduation.
What are your long-term professional goals? I want to be involved with corporate development and strategy at the executive level for a small and growing company.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Get involved in business organizations early on to improve your soft skills that are vital to being successful in business. For me, the Madison Investment Fund helped me to develop public speaking, communication, professional etiquette, and networking skills (in addition to the technical skills necessary for the work associated with being a fund member).
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I would talk to my grandfather about why he chose to invest in the stocks he invested in and realized I wanted to understand how businesses are run.”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…pursuing a law degree.”
“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…the importance of building my professional network at the earliest stage possible.”
What was the happiest moment of your life? The happies moment of my life was when I got to see Blink 182 perform live from the pit of the concert arena.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of earning a return offer for a full-time position at Capital One after completing my internship with them this past summer.
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would choose a German Shepard to represent my professional brand because it is a smart, lively, and loyal breed that is capable of consistent and high-quality work.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I know that I would not be where I am today if it were not for the support I have had from the JMU community and my family. Specifically, I would like to thank the members of the Madison Investment Fund who have taught me, learned with me, and grew with me during my three years as a member. I would also like to thank all of the faculty and professors with whom I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from during my time here. Finally, I would like to thank my mother for all of her encouragement and support not only during my time at JMU but throughout my entire life.
What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I would hope that my peers would say I was a hard worker who always went above and beyond to help my classmates reach their goals.
Favorite book: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Favorite movie: American Beauty
Favorite musical performer: Blink 182
Favorite vacation spot: Turks and Caicos
What are your hobbies? Skiing, cooking, travelling with family, being outdoors
What made Michael such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?
“Michael has been an outstanding ambassador for the College of Business. He is truly a student who “has it all.” He is incredibly intelligent, but is also humble and approachable. Michael is always helping other students in challenging courses, and has assisted me in promoting our College to prospective student. As for Michael’s future, the sky’s the limit.”
Molly Brown
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
James Madison University
DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017
