Shamarric Edwards

St. John’s University, Peter J. Tobin College of Business

“Sharp intellect, magnetic charm, and the uncanny ability to make brilliance look effortless.”

Fun fact about yourself: My first name is a combination of my mother’s favorite actor Shemar Moore and my dad’s first name Eric: Shamar-ric.

Hometown: St. Catherine, Jamaica

High School: Wolmer’s Boys’ School

Major: Business Analytics

Minors: Finance and Social Justice Theory

Favorite Business Course: Investments

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Keynote Speaker at New Student Convocation 2024
President of the Applied Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Society
Dean’s Student Advisory Board
Ozanam Scholar
Thomas J. Cox Honors Program
Dean List, 2022-2024
1st place in the Manhattan Business Analytics Competition 2024
Volunteer at H.O.U.R Children’s food pantry (3 yrs)
IRS volunteer tax return preparer for low-income individuals in NY

Where have you interned during your college career?

Deutsche Bank, Corporate Banking Intern – Trade Finance and Lending, Summer 2023
Deutsche Bank, Corporate Banking Summer Analyst – Cash Management, Summer 2024

Where will you be working after graduation? Deutsche Bank, Corporate Banking Analyst

Who is your favorite business professor? Professor Michael Herley was one of the first professors I had in college. We met during my freshman year in introductory statistics, and since then, we have stayed connected. He later became my faculty advisor when my team won the Manhattan College Business Analytics Competition in May 2024. Beyond the classroom, Professor Herley has been more than just a mentor—he has been a true champion of my success, always offering guidance and advocating for me. If success were a probability distribution, having him as a mentor would put me well beyond two standard deviations above the mean! His support has made a lasting impact on my journey, and I am grateful to have had a professor who genuinely invests in his students’ growth.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? At its core, business is a relationship management exercise. Success is not just about strategy or number; it is about the ability to build and maintain strong connections. Along the way, I learned that challenges are inevitable—whether it is a dataset so messy even a regression model waves the white flag or an R-squared so low it might as well be a lucky guess. In these moments, the real test is not just problem-solving but recognizing when the best solution is seeking help from others. As Albert Einstein said, “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” In business, success often comes down to persistence and the willingness to adapt.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I would have treated my professors as future colleagues, not just as instructors. It is easy to see them solely as authority figures who assign grades, but in reality, they are industry experts, researchers, and well-connected professionals with valuable insights. If I could go back, I would have engaged with them more intentionally—asking deeper questions, discussing their work, and seeking mentorship. Looking back, I realize that treating professors as potential career allies rather than just educators could have opened even more doors.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Some professors utilize platforms like Otter.ai to transcribe online lectures, making them easily accessible and concise. This benefits all students, especially those who attended the class and want to review key points, as well as those who could not make it. These AI-generated transcripts serve as valuable study materials, enhancing learning and retention. One key takeaway I learned from using AI is that its responses are only as effective as the questions or prompts you provide. Consistently creating prompts that suit your precise needs is indeed a skill.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Becoming a first-generation college graduate is the greatest achievement of my life. My parents once dreamed of going to college, but circumstances never allowed them the chance. Like them, I carried that same dream, but for me, it became something far greater. It was no longer just my aspiration; it was a promise to my family, a responsibility woven into my journey. Studying in the U.S. was both a privilege and a weight I carried with honor. That is why my graduation is more than just a testament to my hard work and commitment; it is a tribute to all the people who invested their last into my success.

Which classmate do you most admire? Tushar Poddar and I have shared the same classes for the past three years, but like many college students, we rarely spoke outside of group projects. It was not until a year ago that I really got to know him, and in that time, he became a friend I deeply respect. Tushar is direct—no sugarcoating, no beating around the bush—and I have even picked up a few tricks from his presenting style. Despite coming from distinct cultures, our bond goes beyond the classroom. Tushar is more than just a classmate; he is a brother.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my previous manager, Emeline Tan. Emeline took a chance on me during my freshman year, hiring me as the assistant budget administrator for my university’s capital and maintenance projects. I had the privilege of working with her throughout my entire time at St. John’s, and she became more than just a manager—she became a mentor, a guide, and a steadfast supporter. The technical skills I gained under her guidance helped me secure my first internship with Deutsche Bank, and the soft skills she instilled in me undoubtedly played a role in landing my full-time offer. Emeline’s investment in me is something I will never forget, and our bond is one I will cherish forever.

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

My goal is to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
I aspire to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and financial planning in low-income marginalized communities.

What made Shamarric such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Mr. Edward was a student in my BUA 3337 (Predictive Analysis and Business Forecasting) course in the Spring of 2024, where he consistently demonstrated exceptional academic performance. In a class filled with high achievers, he stood out as one of the very best. Mr. Edwards possesses remarkable analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and original thinking, which were evident in his coursework and class discussions. His ability to apply complex predictive analysis techniques to real-world business challenges set him apart from his peers.

As the Chairperson of the Business Analytics and Information Systems department, I had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Edwards in informal settings. Throughout these interactions, I have been deeply impressed by his diligence, perseverance, and commitment to learning beyond the classroom. His intellectual curiosity and drive for excellence make him a truly invaluable addition to the Class of 2025.”

Ahmad F. Vakil
Associate Professor
Chair of Business Analytics and Information Systems

DON’T MISS: 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2025