Tiffany Yang

Syracuse University, Martin J. Whitman School of Management

“A curious and ambitious student with a diverse background looking to combine technology with business.”

Fun fact about yourself: I almost became an Art Major in college!

Hometown: New York City, NY

High School: Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

Major: Finance and Information Management & Technology

Minor: N/A

Favorite Business Course: SOM122 – Perspectives of Business and Management

This was my first business class, and it paved the way for how I saw myself as a businesswoman in today’s world.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

• Senior Analyst for The Orange Value Fund
• Senior Intern and University Ambassador for University 100
• Vice President of Finance for Delta Sigma Pi, Professional Business Fraternity
• Middle School Volunteer at Balancing the Books
• Teachers Assistant for FYS101: A Social Awareness Class
• Treasurer for the biggest Asian Awareness Club on Campus: Asian Students in America
• Senior Class Marshal for the Whitman School of Management Class of 2022
• Whitman Scholar
• Whitman Student Ambassador
• Dean’s List

Where have you interned during your college career?

• Citigroup Inc. – Summer 2021
• Markets and Securities Services Analyst
• Located in New York, NY
• Credit Suisse Discovery Program – Summer 2020
• Virtual Participant
• Equitable Advisors Summer Internship – Summer 2020
• Virtual Participant

Where will you be working after graduation?

Citigroup Inc. (New York, NY)

Markets and Securities Services Analyst

Who is your favorite professor? It is Professor Elizabeth Wimer because she makes every class interesting and engaging. Everyone gets involved in the classroom and it’s hard to not pay attention with her interactive classroom games, fun rewards, and team building exercises. She was also one of my first professors in college and a great connection I’ve kept ever since.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I learned that business applies to everything. There is not one designated career choice from studying business, rather it opens up possibilities to every industry. Business gives students a more holistic mindset about how a company is run and what it needs. It develops on teamwork and leadership skills along with management and technical skills. Studying business can be so broad but it’s about how you apply your knowledge in any given industry.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Be open to different classes and career paths even if you are coming into college thinking you know what to major in. Your classes and professors have so much influence and they’re great resources to ask advice to.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The thing that has surprised me the most is the importance of teamwork. I’m glad that Whitman gives students group opportunities. I’ve had the chance to work closely in teams every year and that skill has carried over in my internship where I needed to work together with the others. I know having the soft skills to be a good team player will be beneficial in my career.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? One thing I would do differently in business school is to not sweat the small things and prioritize mental health as well. There can be a lot of competition and comparing yourself to other people in the business world, which I found myself doing a lot, especially in the first few years of college. Looking back, I would have rather focused on myself and realize that everyone has a different timeline. It’s what you do in your own time that matters most.

What business executive do you admire most? Jane Fraser – CEO of Citigroup

When I first heard that the company I will be working for just promoted a female to be their chief executive officer, I was so ecstatic and proud. She became the first woman to lead a major US bank and it is inspiring to see the acceptance. As a female minority, it can feel lonely to not have representation in a single dominated field, yet Fraser was able to push past all barriers and stereotypes of what it means to be in finance.

 Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? One extracurricular achievement I am most proud of is becoming Vice President of Finance for Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. This organization has impacted me so much and brought me closer with some of my best friends and professional contacts. I was nervous running for this position and people told me not to get my hopes up, but I knew I wanted to get involved. I campaigned hard and reached out to over 100 brothers about my interest to finally being voted in.

 Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire the most is Lena Karakash. She has always been a huge supporter and friend for me throughout college from when I first met her freshman year to now. I trust her professional instincts with the accomplishments she’s achieved. Aside from professional development, she is the best person to talk to, catch up with, and to have as a study buddy. My college experience would be tremendously different without her.

 Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my mom for my successes and pushing me during the hard times. My family immigrated to the United States a few years before I was born to pursue the American Dream. It’s heartening to hear the struggles they have gone through, and I am just happy to have their sacrifices and for them to be proud of that decision. I live my life with the goal of fulfilling their dream and working hard to make sure it was worth it.

 What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. To be happy in my career and maintain a good work life balance
2. To have tried various positions with the opportunity to move up

 What are your hobbies? I love trying out new cooking recipes! Food is a huge symbol of bringing people together and I like being a part of that.

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

“Without question, I could easily cite Tiffany’s amazing commitment to leadership and community involvement within the Whitman School of Management here at Syracuse University.  Yet Tiffany’s school-wide reputation for excellence is best illustrated by the fact that other (unlucky) professors sincerely regret that they didn’t have a chance to work with Tiffany during her collegiate career.

Tiffany always exhibited her innate leadership qualities around our school. Whether within class discussions, or targeted to a smaller group, everyone deferred to what Tiffany had to say and looked to her for thought guidance. Tiffany’s future is boundless. She is equally at ease speaking to a friend, a professor, or leading an informational tour of prospective new students and their families.  We have been fortunate to have her for 4 years, to watch her grow, and to now launch her on her post-graduate journey. I truly expect her to change the world.”

Professor Kenneth P. Walsleben

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