Nazifa Nasim
Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business
“Business student and Oprah Winfrey-enthusiast with a passion for marketing and media.”
Fun fact about yourself: I have traveled to more countries abroad than I have to states within the United States.
Hometown: Fresh Meadows, New York
High School: Townsend Harris High School
Major: Business Administration, Dual Concentrations: Finance, Marketing
Favorite Business Courses: Marketing Research, Integrated Marketing Communications, Finance and Sustainability, Investments & Securities Analysis, Strategy I & II, Theater
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Honors:
- Phi Kappa Phi (2016)
- Omicron Delta Epsilon, International Economics Honors Society (2016)
- First Place: 2016 Target Marketing Case Competition (2016)
- Fordham University Office of Residential Life: Peer of the Year (2016)
- Beta Gamma Sigma, International Business Honor Society (2016)
- Honors Thesis Program (2015 – Present)
- Howard Foundation: Scott Weiss Scholarship Award (2015)
- Most Valuable Team Player, Gabelli School of Business Consulting Cup (2015)
- Dean’s List (2014 – Present)
- Fordham University Woolworth Award (2014)
- The New York Urban League: Young Professional’s Emerging Leader Scholarship Award (2013)
Leadership Roles and Extracurricular Activities:
- Alpha Sigma Nu, President (2016 – Present)
- Research Assistant (2015 – 2016)
- Office of Residential Life at Fordham University, Resident Assistant (2014 – Present)
- Fordham Marketing Association, General Member (2014 – 2016)
- Gabelli School of Business Dean’s Council at Fordham University, Class Representative (2013 – Present)
Where have you interned during your college career?
- New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (New York, NY) – Asset Management Intern
- Discovery Communications (New York, NY) – Advertising Sales Intern
- Viacom, Inc. (New York, NY) – Business Development/Client Strategy Intern
- HBO, Inc. (New York, NY) – Affiliate Marketing Intern
- NBCUniversal, Inc. (New York, NY) – Incoming USA/SYFY Digital and Programming Research Intern
Describe your dream Job: My dream job would integrate components of marketing, consulting, and media. I’d love to play a role in how brands or companies present themselves to consumers, while adapting to the ever-changing media landscape. Ultimately, my dream job would challenge me and allow me to have fun while making a difference.
Who is your favorite professor? There are many professors from whom I have really enjoyed learning during my time at Fordham University, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be Dr. Mohammad Nejad. I picked up many relevant skills during Dr. Nejad’s Marketing Research class, such as learning how to create a proper survey and statistical skills via Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics, which I am also currently using for data analysis in my thesis.
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? What I enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field is that it enables me to be creative with a purpose. I love being able to solve problems to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson that I have gained from studying business is that a sustainable and successful business is usually one that also engages in humanitarian and social efforts.
Where would you like to work after graduation? I would like to work at a company that has a fun and open culture but is also incredibly innovative and creating real change in the world.
What are your long-term professional goals? My long-term professional goals are to acquire a Master’s degree in Business Administration, become a Chief Marketing Officer or Chief Executive Officer for a company I’ve always admired, and also ultimately own my own business.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would tell a student looking to major in a business-related field to take time to explore all of his or her options before declaring a major in business. There are so many paths to take in business, from marketing and finance to information systems and management. I’m grateful to attend the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University because I could take a variety of distinct courses in business during my sophomore year of college, as integrated into the school’s curriculum, before officially declaring my major.
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I was applying to college. I realized that business allowed me to pursue a variety of career paths within one field and being someone who had always had so many interests combined with strong entrepreneurial spirit, I knew this was the subject I should major in.”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…a talk-show host.”
“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…how fun networking actually is and can be.”
What was the happiest moment of your life? The happiest moment of my life was being accepted to be a Resident Assistant. Since I lived only a borough away from Fordham, I decided to commute during my freshman year. During the first few months of school, I realized that 1.5-hour commutes each way were getting exhausting, and I also wanted to meet more people on campus. I also really wanted to take on a leadership role and make a greater difference in my school since this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I applied to be an RA. The application cycle was particularly competitive, but when I found out I was selected I was ecstatic and felt incredibly fortunate to take on the position.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of being President of Alpha Sigma Nu. Alpha Sigma Nu is a National Jesuit Honor Society that is present on Jesuit-university campuses across the US, as well in South Korea and Spain. The society encourages members to commit themselves to a lifetime of scholarship, loyalty, and service in line with the core principles of a Jesuit education as fostered by Fordham University. Leading the Fordham chapter has meant a lot to me because it has enabled me to play a meaningful role in engaging students in community service beyond the campus gates, as well as allowed me to motivate our members to go above and beyond in their pursuits of bettering the world.
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would pick an eagle to represent my professional brand because of its keen vision, tenacity, and boldness.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would most want to thank my parents for my success. They have sacrificed a lot to give my little sister and me the best opportunities in America, and without their support and encouragement I would not be who I am today.
What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I would like my business school peers to say that I’m someone they could always depend on, as well as someone with whom they shared great memories and experiences.
Favorite book: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Favorite movie: Home Alone
Favorite musical performer: Beyoncé
Favorite vacation spot: Paris, France
What are your hobbies? Painting, reading, exploring art galleries in NYC, cooking, traveling
What made Nazifa such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?
“Nazifa has a high aspiration for success and a passion to contribute to the lives of others. She always inspires others around her through her distinctive positive attitude, dedication, leadership, creativity, and professionalism. She always went above and beyond to accomplish outstanding results in the classes that she took with me, in the academic research that she helped me with, and in a marketing research project Nazifa and her team completed for the business school. She was always dependable to complete her tasks with high standards on a timely basis.
Her attention to details and diligence to accomplish perfection is further complemented by her exceptional time management skills and dedication. Throughout her time at Fordham University, she has served as a resident assistant and research assistant, participated and led student organizations, completed several internships, and accomplished an outstanding academic record as a full time student.
The numerous honors, awards, and leadership positions that Nazifa has received within and outside the university demonstrates her capabilities. In summary, she is a motivated and capable business professional who has a good heart to help others. It is my hope that future leaders like Nazifa will make the world a better place.”
Mohammad G. Nejad, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University
DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017
