If you ever wonder why some of the most focused students at the Gabelli Business School have that drive to keep going, the answer to that question is simply having a clear sense of purpose and refusing to step down from challenges. This drive perfectly describes Jack Robinson, GSB ’27, a finance major from Long Island whose goals and ambitions led him to find his way to begin his career as a young finance professional in New York City.
Robinson’s dad and both of his sisters went to Fordham University, and for him it felt more like coming home than starting from scratch. He further explained that when he first transferred, he wasn’t completely sure what career path he wanted to pursue, but his involvement in finance clubs and classes quickly changed that.
Still, arriving at Fordham was a major change, and Robinson identified navigating the transfer process as one of the biggest challenges he’s overcome. “Almost everything felt unfamiliar at first,” he admitted. “And I wasn’t sure how I would make friends, get involved in clubs, succeed academically, or start building my career.” That experience, he noted, eventually helped him grow “more confident, adaptable, and willing to take initiative.”
With this newly found clarity in life and career choices, he decided to declare his concentration in Investment Banking, which helped him move closer into gaining the technical skills that he is excited to develop. He will be taking courses in financial modeling, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and private equity, along with a futures and options course where he will learn about derivatives, hedging strategies and more next semester. “I’m really eager to dive into more technical finance coursework,” he shared, acknowledging he hasn’t had much of that exposure yet in his business core classes.
When he was asked how he balances the intense workload, he shared a piece of advice his father always gave him: “If you want something done, give it to the person who is busiest.” He’s found that being constantly busy actually helps him stay focused and organized, which is why he uses both a Google Calendar and physical notebook to keep track of assignments, exams, networking and internship work. When he has everything written out and focuses only on the specific task in front of him, the workload suddenly feels much more manageable.
Despite his busy lifestyle, he always ensures taking the time to step away and recharge. If he had a completely free Saturday, he says he would spend it with friends, enjoying a workout on campus or exploring different neighborhoods and restaurants. A surprising fact about him is his passion for the outdoors and fishing in the summer.
As his junior fall semester comes to an end, he wants to leave behind some wisdom for underclassmen who have come to call Fordham their home. He recommends first-years “talk to as many people as possible.” He wants them to know that everyone at Fordham is genuinely willing to help them, whether it’s with classes, finding your way around the city or giving advice about their interested careers pathways. He also shared a key point: “Do not be afraid to reach out to upperclassmen who already have experience in the field you are interested in. No one is judging you, and it gets much easier the more you practice.”
Here is an encouraging note for those just starting their journeys at Fordham from him: “I would also tell them not to stress about internships right away. If you work hard, stay involved, and keep learning, the right opportunities will come. The goal of college is growth, and you have plenty of time to figure things out.”
