Vincent Iyoriobhe ’17 Is Embracing His Experience

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, recently interviewed Smith Senior Vincent Iyoriobhe '17 to discuss how he is “embracing his experience” during his Smith Journey. Vincent is in the process of earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Information Systems. Vincent has interned with the Royal Bank of Canada, General Electric and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He is also an Equity Analyst for the Lemma Senbet Fund.

So what does the Smith journey entail? During their freshman year, Smith students begin to build their personal brand through the SmithStart program. Sophomores dedicate their second year to pioneering their path to success by focusing on an overall academic and career strategy. Junior year focuses on students taking command of their careers during to ensure that they are well positioned for their professional journey. Finally, as a senior with an arsenal of tools, knowledge, and networks, Smith students are able to embrace their experience and celebrate their success.

Dean Mullins: Reflect on how you “built your brand” during your freshmen year.

Vincent: Freshman year was all about quickly adapting to a new environment in order to build the foundation for a successful journey through college and beyond. Aside from staying on top of academics, I got involved with as much as possible freshman year to find out what I was really interested in and built meaningful relationships with peers, faculty and professionals. The network I built freshman year has proven itself useful time and time again throughout my time in college and is one of the main reasons I am in the position I am today. My involvement and the network I built allowed me to display my passion for success within Smith and beyond early on in my college career.

Dean Mullins: How about your sophomore year. How did you "pioneer your path?”

Vincent: Sophomore year was all about setting career goals strengthening my resume through continued involvement and leadership on campus. I knew getting good internship experience sophomore year would position me well for a competitive junior year internship that would lead to a full-time job. I really tapped into all the resources that Smith provides such as fellows programs, career fairs, networking events as well as a vast alumni network in order to refine and polish my resume going into junior year.

Dean Mullins: And how did you “command your career” during your junior year?

Vincent: Junior year was all about materializing the foundation laid freshman and sophomore year. First semester was all about taking my combined internship and leadership experience and trying to convince companies in my target industry that I would be a great fit. I tapped into the network I built through various clubs, fellows programs and events in order to perfect my resume and prepare for intense investment banking interviews. After securing my internship, second semester was all about refining my technical skills and finance knowledge to ensure I was prepared and would excel in my internship in order to secure a full time offer.

Dean Mullins: As you graduate from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, how are you “embracing your experience?”

Vincent: As a senior, I am trying my best to have fun, give back and make the most of the time I have left in undergrad in order to ensure a strong start to my career once I graduate. This entails continuing to build my network and knowledge base through participation in programs like the Lemma Senbet Fund. I would also like to get my MBA sometime in the future so I’ve been using my free time to study for the GMAT before I start full time where it will be a lot harder to find the time to prepare. Lastly, I’m trying my best to give back to the Smith community by making myself a resource to underclassmen aspiring to follow similar career paths.

Dean Mullins: What advice would you give to your fellow Smith community?

Vincent: I would advise my fellow Smith student to realize how lucky they are to be at a place like Smith and to take advantage of all the resources Smith provides to ensure students succeed. There is no opportunity anywhere in the world of business that is out of reach for a Smith student provided that they tap into the resources that Smith provides. Some of the brightest students and faculty and best companies in the world come to Smith so it’s just a matter of whether a student is willing to put in the work in order to achieve their goals.

Dean Mullins: How did you make a mark on campus?

Vincent: I made my mark on campus by positively impacting the people around me in various different ways. I’ve always enjoyed helping people find their way and reach their goals whether related to things like career advice or something as simple as picking the right classes. My time serving as a resident assistant to freshman allowed me to make my biggest mark on campus where I got the opportunity to positively shape and impact the first-year experience of the students I served. I have also been involved in organizations such as the Cambridge Community Green Squad and have led projects that have left a positive mark on and around campus.

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Vincent: My dream is to achieve success in various areas of my life as well provide a path and resources for others to achieve similar success. Success can be measured in many different ways but to me it means finding your passion in your career and personal life. I also think success is not as meaningful if you can’t help create a path for individuals to achieve similar success. As the son of Nigerian immigrants, it’s my dream to one day use my success to positively impact financial and economic development in Africa and create paths to success for the less fortunate.

Dean Mullins: Why are you passionate about the Smith School?

Vincent: I am passionate about the Smith School because Smith has helped me grow and develop in ways that I would never have imagined. Coming into freshman year I was kind of timid and had very little knowledge about the world of high finance. Smith gave me the tools and resources to improve my communication skills interacting with professionals through countless career fairs and company events as well as a dedicated OCS staff to help with things like resume reviews and mock interviews. Participating in various clubs and fellows programs opened my eyes to world of high finance and gave me to tools I needed to achieve my career goals. Everyone at Smith is so smart, friendly, and motivated and I am proud to have spent my years in college leaning from such wonderful people.

For more information about the undergraduate program at Smith, visit: www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad.