Joseph Esposito

University of Miami, Herbert Business School

“I am a not-so-average Joe who is always ready to take on a challenge.”

Fun fact about yourself: I used to dive competitively, from springboard to platform diving!

Hometown: Morristown, New Jersey

High School: Delbarton School

Major: Finance and Legal Studies

Minor: N/A

Favorite Business Course: BSL 476 The Law of Risk

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Tamid Investment and Consulting Club; Pi Kappa Alpha President; and Founding Father, President of Business School Team Leader Program

Where have you interned during your college career? J.P. Morgan Private Banking Summer Analyst in Summit New Jersey; H.I.G. Capital Co-Investment Intern in Miami Florida; Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Summer Intern in Westfield New Jersey; Design History Accounting and Operations Intern in New York City.

Where will you be working after graduation? BlackRock Aladdin Client Services Analyst

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite Professor is Mark Shapiro. Having arrived at the University of Miami as a naïve freshman, Professor Shapiro guided me and helped develop me into the person I am today. I am confident that through his help, fantastic Business Law classes, and involvement within the Miami Business School, that I am the best person I can be today.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? I enjoyed the focus on student development and how classes applied to the real-world. The first class that business students must take focuses on professionalism, globalism, and the workplace. Professors have actual experience in their respective fields and are extremely beneficial resources, particularly with regards to networking. I recall specifically that in my last summer internship, I utilized the skills taught in my classes and was a stronger worker compared to the other interns because of it.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Networking is a powerful tool. It’s difficult as an incoming freshman to understand the importance of networking. Interacting with others and learning from them is priceless. You never know when or how someone will support you.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I came into college with a set path in mind and that changed very quickly. I found that by taking many business courses, I was able to narrow my focus. To add to that, aside from learning from classes alone, I learned from my clubs and internships. Learning what you dislike is just as essential as finding what you like. Be open-minded and take in as much information as possible. Learn all aspects of the business world and after that, determine your path.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I found that business is a combination of factual and quantitative information paired with social skills and emotional intelligence. While focusing on the numbers portion of business is essential, especially in the financial world, the ability to interact with others, understand differing backgrounds, and critically think is another major part of the business world. I found that by studying finance and law, my education was balanced between those two.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am the proudest of becoming the president of the Business School Team Leader program. This program is a mandatory course for freshman students in the business school and is designed to bring real-world applications to an academic environment. The curriculum focuses on student development and professionalism through resume-building, mock interviews, and a semester-long project that teaches the skills needed for an employee in today’s global economy. I started as a Team Leader, moved on to an Executive Team Leader, and then finally was able to become president. While working with faculty, I helped bring changes to the program which made it more effective for students, streamlining it, and focusing even more on professional development.

Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire Julia Lynch because she is always active and engaged through the classroom but also has a vast knowledge of any topic that she is involved in. In addition, she has been excellent to work with both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my grandparents for most for my success. Without their continued support, I would not have been able to be where I am today. They have always promoted my success and believed in me, even when I have failed. Their steadfast faith in me helps me push through my obstacles towards success.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I want to be an executive in a Fortune 100 company and be an influential factor in starting a successful organization.

What are your hobbies? My hobbies include exercising, cooking and nutrition, playing tennis and golf, horology and watchmaking, and fashion.

What made Joseph such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Joe is a student but he’s already a total professional. He’s smart but practical, confident but cooperative, and fully engaged. He’s a terrific communicator, with strong public speaking skills and careful critical thinking. He’s also a pleasure to be around. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to watch the four-year development of someone who is bound to be tremendously successful in whatever he chooses to do.”

Mark Shapiro
Business Law Professor and Director of Undergraduate Career Resources

DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE TOP 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2020