Emma Spoto

Binghamton University School of Management

“A very goal oriented, hardworking, studious, selfless, caring and driven individual.”

Fun fact about yourself:  I have had a calculator in my hand since I was three as seen in a family home video.

Hometown: Glen Cove, New York

High School: Glen Cove High School

Major: Accounting

Minor: Management Information Systems

Favorite Business Course: Audit

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: President of Women in Business; Vice President of Professional Development of WIB before president; Career Assistant; MGMT 111 Mentor for 3 semesters; TA for MIS 323, TA for ACCT 305; Running Club, and Dean’s List.

Where have you interned during your college career? Deloitte – Risk and Financial Advisory intern in NYC within the audit and internal control practice

Where will you be working after graduation?  Deloitte as a Risk and Financial Advisory Analyst

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? The best advice I would give is to be open to all the different areas within the business field to study. It is best to enter school with an open mind and take classes to see what specific field you would like to study. It’s important not to limit yourself or underestimate what you are capable of learning. Numbers can be scary to some, and they are deterred from accounting right away. I would say students should take those classes that seem difficult to challenge themselves and they may end up wanting to pursue that major or minor. It is also best to get involved within your schools’ organizations to learn more about finance or marketing, for example. I would also advise students to network with upperclassmen to ask why they might have chosen their specific area of study. Networking allows a student to get a sense of what their career choice would look like. The life between an investment banker and an accountant is very different. This difference is only known to students by talking to professionals or upperclassmen who might have had an internship experience.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised the most about how much communication and teamwork takes place within the business major. Throughout all the classes I have taken, communication and team building are an essential part of every class. Most classes require some form of a group project and work to be done with fellow classmates. I was shocked about how interactive a business class can be and how the class is more than just learning how to derive a number. I did not realize how team-based business is and how everyone works together. It has been a great help having the opportunity to work with other students and learn how to operate and lead a team. I also learned how to build a strong connection within a team, which surprised me too. I always thought it would be less interactive and more focused on calculating numbers.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back, I would have chosen a minor outside of the School of Management, which would have been education. Growing up, I always had a passion for helping others and teaching students. I always enjoy sharing my knowledge and I like being the person others come to with their questions. I feel having a minor in education would have made me stand out more and it would not have been your typical minor as a business student. I would have also gained more leadership and communication skills to help accelerate my networking skills as well. Given I did not minor in education, I still had the opportunity to be a teacher’s assistant. Being an assistant has helped me and has given me the confidence to present in front of a class. It also has helped me share my passion for the given subject and help other students.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of being a Career Assistant within the School of Management. Coming into school of management as a transfer student, I always looked up to upperclassmen and especially those that worked in career services. I aspired to be one of them since they are seen and perceived as some of the most successful students at SOM. More importantly, I wanted to give back and help fellow students achieve their goals. I feel it is an honor and a personal because I am trusted to help students reach their career goals and offer advice to help them be successful. I enjoy being an advisor for students and helping students figure out what specific field of business they want to study. It is a great feeling when a student comes in and thanks me for helping them land an internship. It feels great to know I helped a student reach their goal and how you impacted another. This achievement has allowed me to talk to other students about pursuing a career in accounting and offer the best advice.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire Lauren Levine as a classmate. As a transfer student, I met Lauren at a Women in Finance event my sophomore year. After meeting her, I heard about how she landed an internship already for the summer going into junior year. I was so surprised a student could get an internship that early. Then I heard and saw how involved she was. Lauren is in PwC scholars, the Dean’s Mentoring Program. She also ran the MGMT 111 program, Finance society, and the Investment Fund. Lauren is also a career assistant too. Lauren is one of the most hardworking students and the most involved peer to admire. Lauren works very hard and is always willing to help other students. Lauren is someone I look up to and am amazed at how she balances her schoolwork with her involvement in the school. She is a friendly face to see around campus and she truly has made an impact within SOM.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my dad for my success. My dad has taught me how to work hard to achieve my dreams. At a very young age, my dad stressed the importance of doing well in school and having goals to accomplish. My dad has taught me how to dream big and to always push yourself to be more than you can be. He stressed never to settle for less and always dream bigger. My dad also stresses the importance of making mistakes. Mistakes drive us to be better people and they help us learn. Mistakes are not something that hold us back but allow for growth and make us stronger. I would not be where I am today if it was not for my dad always pushing me to do better. He has taught me not to be afraid of failure and this has helped me not to fear chasing my dreams or trying new things. Failure is part of life and failures do not define us as people. Our failures drive us to be better and to improve ourselves. My dad has given me the drive and ambition to continuously chase after my dreams and to never give up.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The first thing on my professional bucket list is to be able to travel the world with my job and work in another country for some time. I think it would be amazing to get accustomed to another country’s work ethic and gain a better understanding of their way of life. Growing up, I never traveled, and I always wanted to see the world and I am sure I could do this within my career. I would love to work and live in Switzerland or London for some time. I hope and wish to find an opportunity within my career that will bring me to one of these countries.

The second thing on my professional bucket list is to be recognized as a top female business leader. I have met and spoken to so many inspiring and influential women during my time at Binghamton. It amazed me how they all started as an intern or not even in the business field and they made it to the top. Each female leader has given me the drive and has helped me see it is possible to make an impact and work hard to reach the highest position as a woman. I am a person that always strives to reach the highest level and am always chasing a new goal. My parents would always tell me I would be a CEO one day due to me constantly organizing and managing their own business during the holiday season. My final career goal would be to be a CEO of a company.

What made Emma such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Emma Spoto’s achievements and contributions to the School of Management are truly commendable. As the Director of Career Services, I have witnessed firsthand Emma’s dedication and leadership through her role as a Career Assistant in our office. Within this role, Emma goes above and beyond to guide her peers towards professional success, which undoubtedly speaks volumes about her character and capabilities. Emma’s accomplishments, such as securing multiple internships while actively participating in various extracurricular activities, exemplify her drive and determination. Her leadership roles in organizations like Women in Business, her mentorship in MGMT 111, and her teaching assistantship showcase her versatility and immense impact across different facets of the academic and professional spectrum. Emma’s passion for service and making a positive difference resonates deeply with her classmates, faculty, staff, industry professionals and alumni. Emma’s ability to inspire leaves a lasting impression on everyone she encounters. Winning the Poets & Quants Senior of the Year award is a well-deserved recognition highlighting Emma’s dedication and accomplishments throughout her journey at Binghamton. With her track record of success and commitment to excellence, I am confident that Emma will continue to excel and make significant contributions to the field of business and beyond.”

Olivia Pasquale
Director of Career Services
School of Management, Binghamton University

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