Students

Business Analytics to Barclays

Derek Storer

Class of 2023

Currently Studying: BBA in Business Analytics with a minor in Finance

Member Of: American Marketing Association

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Before jumping into his final year at the Lubin School of Business, BBA in Business Analytics student Derek Storer spent summer 2022 interning at Barclays. He credits everything he learned in his Lubin classes for landing the internship and for receiving a job offer to work at the institution full time after graduation.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

When I was deciding where I wanted to go to college, I knew three things: I wanted to be further from home, I wanted to be in a city, and I wanted to go to a business school. Fortunately, Pace University checked all my boxes. However, when I had applied to Pace, I had never actually visited the campus. My first time at Pace and New York City was in April of 2019 for an accepted student event, where I got to meet professors, students, club representatives, and others, which gave me the opportunity to get acquainted with the university. At that moment, it was clear that Pace University was where I wanted to be.

How have clubs on campus helped enrich your student experience?

Some of my favorite memories at Pace come from the clubs on campus. In my freshman year, I became heavily involved in the American Marketing Association (AMA), one of the many student organizations within the Lubin School of Business. I was introduced to an amazing group of people—many of whom I am still close with—and got hands-on experience in various projects. I carried this love into my sophomore and junior years, serving as the vice president and president, respectively. I always tell people that those positions built my resume. I learned so much about project management, communication, budgeting, and more, which laid the foundation for my future success. In fact, these skills helped me land a peer leader position, a job as a campus tour guide, and then eventually, an internship at Barclays.

What has been your favorite opportunity at Pace?

Being at Pace allowed me to figure out who I am and what I want to do. If you met me in high school and placed him next to "current me," I do not think they would recognize each other. Pace has a super accepting environment, which is fueled by being in New York City. You can truly be whoever you want to be here, so I spent a lot of time professionally and personally crafting an identity I could be proud of.

Over the summer, you interned at Barclays. How did the Lubin School of Business help you prepare for that internship?

The Lubin School of Business has granted me access to all the best that New York City has to offer. From exciting classes to wonderful faculty, there is a plethora of knowledge at my disposal, which helped me form a path that I could be excited about. In fact, my business analytics classes came full circle during my summer internship, where I got to use my Structured Query Language (SQL), Excel, project management, and finance knowledge to navigate the banking space. My classes at Lubin gave me real world skills, which allowed me to thrive during my time at Barclays!

How did your internship shape or impact your career goals?

Interning allowed me to use my classroom knowledge in the real world. I now have a better understanding of what I want to do in my career. I was fortunate to work for such a wonderful company where they spent a lot of time with interns to spotlight potential career paths both inside and outside of the company. Specifically, I spent a lot of time having one-on-one meetings with workers from across the firm to hear their stories, day-to-day life, and general advice. Fortunately, I received a return offer, so I can officially say that my professional career will begin at Barclays upon my graduation from Pace University!

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?

Say "yes" to everything! I know the struggle of not knowing what you want to do, or questioning if you are making the right choices, so just say "yes." No matter what the experience is, even if you absolutely hate it, you will take something away from it that can help you find what you really want to do. For example, I had no intention of joining the e-board of AMA, but they told me I should apply. Fast forward to now, those experiences helped me land other opportunities and gather technical skills that I use every day.

When I hear #LubinLife, I think of welcoming, driven, and passionate students that are making the most of their time here. There is no shortage of opportunity, and you can always find something to help you reach the next level. Whether it is in the classroom, a club, or an internship, Lubin will help you land these opportunities and transform you into an established professional.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?