Max Wasserman

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

“Proud Marine Corps veteran trying to become this generation’s Warren Buffett.”

Fun fact about yourself: I have hit a hole-in-one in golf.

Hometown: Downers Grove, Illinois

High School: Downers Grove North High School

Major: Finance

Minor: N/A

Favorite Business Course: Investment Strategies and Philosophies

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Ambassador – Fisher College of Business
Vice President – Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Alumni Relations – Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Member – Fisher Futures
Recipient – Eugene Thal Scholarship
Recipient – Cohen Scholarship
Recipient – Fisher College of Business Pace Setters Award

Where have you interned during your college career?

Ikove Venture Partners, Columbus, Ohio, Finance Intern
JPMorgan Chase & Co., New York, New York, Investment Banking Analyst

Where will you be working after graduation? I will be working for Partners Group as an investment analyst.

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor is Steven Salopek. In his investments course, he draws on more than 25 years of industry experience. Being able to tie real-world stories to classroom concepts has helped students in the class easily grasp some extremely complex topics. The passion Professor Salopek brings to the classroom is contagious and helped to further solidify my interest in investing.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? Students at Fisher are constantly striving to connect and help one another. I have found that the biggest driver in my college career has been relationships. I am so glad Fisher has created a culture in which students can learn together and build relationships and friendships that last a lifetime.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Success can be measured in many ways depending on who you ask. I used to think of success as something that was quantifiable like income or job title. I learned through my studies and relationships that only you can decide what success in your life looks like. I routinely revise my definition of success as I continue to grow and evolve professionally and personally.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Strive to leave your comfort zone. There is so much to learn and experience in college, especially in business, that to truly maximize your experience you must take a couple of leaps of faith. I have found my greatest professional and personal growth has come when I have taken risks and put myself out there.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…human behavior. I find myself fascinated with what drives, motivates or deters people. It is an extremely complex field, with behavior being driven by many different factors specific to each individual.”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? Prior to my collegiate career, I served in the United States Marine Corps. In my final year of service, my Platoon Commander, 1st Lieutenant Greg Mateo, stressed the importance of entering college with at least some sense of what I wanted to study and a potential career in mind. He explained that this would maximize my time and experience in school. With his guidance, I researched majors and potential careers to see where I might best fit. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to pursue a degree that solved complex problems in society and, at the same time, was people-centric. Thanks to Lieutenant Mateo’s advice, I was able to find and explore my passion for business.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? During my time in the Marine Corps, I was nominated for and won a meritorious promotion board. I competed with 500 of my peers in an array of events including a physical fitness test, uniform inspection, close order drill, and tactical knowledge. I was one of three Marines selected from this group to be promoted early.

Which classmate do you most admire? Although he graduated from Fisher last year, I really admire Joe Kline. In every interaction I had with Joe he was kind, inquisitive, and engaged. Joe could have begun a successful corporate career right after graduation, but instead chose to spend a year conducting service work. His character is second-to-none and is something I look to emulate in my own life.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I attribute everything I have achieved to my parents. Growing up, my parents allowed me the freedom to learn, grow and fail on my own. They never forced me in any one direction, and that autonomy allowed me to learn and take on responsibilities at an early age.

What are the top two items on your bucket list? To give a commencement speech and work in some form of public service.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy playing and watching sports, reading, building and traveling.

What made Max such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?

“Max is unlike any student I have had the pleasure of working with over the past five-and-a-half years. He makes a lasting impression on those he meets; he is charismatic, humble, and he has a curiosity about the world and those who are in it. He has a work-hard, play hard mentality that truly shows — not only in his outstanding academics but as a student leader. He has the natural ability to lead other students he works with through his actions; he can be the charming class clown or the authority figure people trust and respect. It has been an absolute honor to get to know, work and laugh with Max over the last two years. He has undeniable talent and dedication to giving back to his community and will leave a lasting impact on all those he meets.”

Samantha Reed, M.Ed.
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Fisher College of Business