Raquel Shapiro

Binghamton University School of Management

“I am a confident, innovative, outgoing, and passionate individual who enjoys a good challenge.”

Fun fact about yourself: I taught Zumba for three semesters at the East Gym on campus.

Hometown: Springfield, New Jersey

High School: Jonathan Dayton High School

Major: Accounting with a concentration in Management Information Systems

Minor: N/A

Favorite Business Course: Web Application Development (MIS 425)

This course taught me how to utilize HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, web languages that I was previously unfamiliar with. For the final project, my group and I had to create a website for a pizza restaurant using these languages from scratch. I enjoyed this project as I was able to apply my knowledge from the semester to develop a functioning website.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Academic/Professional

* Emerging Leaders Program: Member of the Business and Entrepreneurship Knowledge Community: Service-Learning Project: “Business Expo” at the Oakdale Mall

* Speaking Center: Consultant Intern

* Accounting Association: Committee of Marketing, Vice President of Marketing, President

* Women in Business: Membership Co-Chair and Vice President of Membership

* PwC Scholars Program: Fall 2020 Planning Committee, Sophomore Connection Committee  *Auction & Spring Fundraiser Committee, Mentor

• Led 10 60-minute Zumba classes for GiGi Fit participants at GiGi’s playhouse
• Volunteered at Jablon Studios to help create mosaic pieces for the American Civic Association
• MGMT 350: Fleshed out ideas for a potential Co-op Program which the School of Management (SOM) is working to implement

* MGMT 111 – Introduction to Decision Making in Management – Mentor

* MIS 311 Group Project: 1st Place: Introduced “Bing it to Me”, a student-led on-campus delivery service that allows Binghamton University’s students and staff to get food from any on- campus food spot delivered directly to them at any location on campus

* PwC Challenge 2020 Case Competition: 1st Place

Social

* Relay For Life: Tabling Coordinator and Greek Life Recruitment Coordinator: Raised over $500 personally to help save lives from cancer

* East Campus Zumba Instructor: Led classes for Alpha Epsilon Phi, Relay For Life, and Women in Business

* The Freshman 15 Student Ambassador

* Alpha Epsilon Phi: Vice President of Programming

School Awards/Honors

* Dean’s List: Fall 2019 – Fall 2021

* Scholarships: Edith M Briloff Scholarship, Paul Battaglia Memorial Scholarship, and President’s Scholarship

* PwC Scholars Program: Selective honors program to develop future leaders through academic achievement, professional development, community service, civic engagement, fundraising, and unique networking opportunities

* Deloitte Leadership & Excellence Group: One of thirteen students selected to attend seminars designed to provide information on the firm’s culture and service lines, allowing for an opportunity to network with professionals and improve leadership skills

Where have you interned during your college career? The Bachrach Group (TBG) – New York, NY – Operations Intern

I interned in the Operations department at The Bachrach Group (TBG) in New York City for two consecutive summers. I completed the internship remotely during the summer of 2020, and hybrid during the summer of 2021. During the summer of 2020, I handled hiring preparation by adding potential COVID-19 contact tracers’ contact information to a database in Google Sheets to ensure paperwork was completed and submitted expeditiously to NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) for hiring. The following summer, I prepared materials for job opportunities, using ZoomInfo, Indeed, and Avionte to gather contact information of potential candidates for recruiting staff. Throughout this internship, I was able to enhance communication and professional skills through daily phone calls and emails with operations staff, potential candidates, and recruiters. This upcoming summer I will be interning at Deloitte in their Risk & Financial Advisory practice.

Where will you be working after graduation? Hopefully, I will be working at Deloitte in their Risk & Financial Advisory practice after completing my Master of Science in Accounting in May 2023.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have gained from studying business is that remaining ethical is of utmost importance. During MGMT 150 (Ethical Issues in Business) for the PwC Scholars Program, we focused on different articles that related to business ethics and how it plays a major role in a company’s reputation. Business ethics are common in times when big changes are occurring in a company as it helps ensure that management maintains strong morals and does what is right for the company. Business ethics was also a topic of conversation in ACCT 460 (Auditing) when we looked at different companies, such as Madoff Securities and Ligand Pharmaceuticals, that failed to remain ethical. Knowing this, I will make it a priority to remain ethical in both my professional and social life.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? If a student is looking to major in a business-related field, I would say there is so much opportunity to explore different areas. If you are more interested in graphic design and promotion, then marketing would be the field for you. On the contrary, if you would rather work with numbers and financial statements, accounting and finance may be the better route. I would also tell the student that it is never too early to get your foot in the door and a jump start on your career. If you know what you want to major in, attend meetings and events that relate to your major and learn more about what the field entails.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I would say the amount of opportunity to explore different areas of interest and skillsets has surprised me the most about majoring in business. I have been part of the Accounting Association since my freshman year of college, starting on the Committee of Marketing, where I was able to utilize different marketing media outlets to promote BAA content.

Currently, I serve as the President where I oversee each aspect of the organization, including finance (budget creation) and communication (networking with professionals). Additionally, I am studying Accounting and Management Information Systems, working heavily with numbers while simultaneously learning how to create a website. Thus, majoring in business has allowed me to develop and use my analytical, technological, and creativity skills concurrently.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back on my experience, one thing I would do differently in business school is apply to be a Career Assistant for SOM Career Services. My passion for helping others would be showcased in this role as I would be able to provide constructive critiques on resumes and conduct mock interviews. It would also be rewarding to hear when students receive an internship or job offer that they have been preparing tirelessly for.

What business executive do you admire most? I admire Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, the most. Apple has provided individuals worldwide with a platform to connect, exceed, and inspire. Steve Jobs is admirable for his perseverance and persistence to create greatness from nothing. I believe that many young entrepreneurs can look up to him as someone who achieved their dreams from very little.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of getting accepted into the PwC Scholars Program. I truly put my heart and soul into the application and felt that my qualifications strongly aligned with the pillars of the program. Being accepted into the program has allowed me to further my leadership and passion for helping and inspiring others. It has provided me with an opportunity to network with professionals, mentor underclassmen, and excel in my academics and beyond.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire Jamie Guan the most because she is intelligent, communicative, and passionate – all qualities that I strive to possess. I have worked alongside Jamie in the Accounting Association and she brought only positivity and light to the organization. Additionally, she answered all my questions regarding Accounting and the PwC Scholars Program with thorough and honest answers. Jamie is one of the most hard-working people I know, currently studying for her CPA while simultaneously working as a Career Assistant in SOM Career Services. I would not be half the leader I am today without Jamie and I owe much of my success to her.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would most want to thank my mother for my success. As a child, we would go to Barnes & Noble to purchase advanced Math and English books. I strongly attribute my love for math and numbers to her. As a college student, she never puts pressure on me; she only encourages me to do the best that I possibly can. My mother does not put me down when I make a mistake, but rather teaches me to learn from my mistakes. Aside from academics, my mother has raised me to be a strong, independent woman, who has self-value, and is hard-working, caring, and confident.

What are your hobbies? My hobbies include spending time with friends and family, singing, dancing, exercising, watching TV, and being a leader in the community.

What made Raquel such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2022?

“As the Career Development Coordinator for the School of Management, I have had the opportunity to work with Raquel while she served as the President of the Binghamton University Accounting Association and Vice President of Binghamton Women in Business. I have developed a great deal of respect for Raquel’s work ethic, professionalism, and ability to lead others. Raquel successfully coordinated and executed a number of professional events for students, employers, and alumni. Most notably, Raquel led the Accounting Association’s Accounting Recruiter Panel in both the fall and spring semesters. This event featured numerous professionals from prominent Big Four and midsize accounting firms and was very impactful for our students. In addition to her leadership roles, Raquel served as a mentor for the Introduction to Decision Making in Management class, providing weekly sessions to enhance professionalism, networking and communication skills. Raquel has proven to be an exceptionally motivated, hardworking and dependable student leader. I have been extremely impressed with Raquel’s tireless effort and dedication to achieving results for each of the student organizations she has been involved with.”

Matt Fedorchak
Career Development Coordinator | Binghamton University
School of Management
Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science

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