Robert DeCusati: Getting Started in Finance

Robert DeCusati got his start in finance soon after he graduated with a BS in Finance from Fairfield University. After graduation, he started the Financial Management Training program working at positions of increasing responsibility at three different divisions of his company.  Promotions created relocation opportunities across the United States. He got his start in industry by networking and identifying a few companies he would fit in well with and landing one with an excellent training program. Here are a few ways to get your start in finance after you graduate: 

•  Look for good employers. Much like Robert DeCusati, the best way to find positions you will like in the any  industry is to look for good employers you would like to work for, rather than open positions anywhere. The internet version of the local business journals can be a great resource for finding fast-growing companies looking for bright, young accounting and finance candidates fresh out of college. Identify ten companies you’d like to work for, and check back to see when positions at these companies open up.  Start in you junior year to develop these contacts, those relationships will reap rewards for you down the road.
• Network. As with any job, getting your foot in the door requires that you know someone who can help you. Take advantage of any and all resources that can put you in touch with recruiters or professionals in the financial field with experience. Robert DeCusati had several mentors along the way that helped him build his career and provided sound advice along the way.
• Dress up your resume. Fresh out of college, you won’t have much work experience, but make sure you list all leadership roles, key relevant  classes you took, , especially any internships or experience you have, and coursework you completed on your resume when you’re first starting out. 

Robert DeCusati works as an accounting / finance professional.

Robert DeCusati - How to Get Started in Finance

Robert DeCusati has worked as a financial and accounting professional for top tier companies in different industry sectors during his career as a financial professional. DeCusati got his start in finance after graduating with a BS degree in Finance from Fairfield University in Connecticut. DeCusati has worked for companies throughout the United States and resides in Virginia today after living for periods in upstate New York, California, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Connecticut. DeCusati has made the most of his training and has added value to different companies.

Getting started in finance usually means working a few different angles to find that perfect first job. Before you start looking at a specific company, decide what your career goals are.  Your personality profile may be better suited for a different industry. Sometimes students fresh out of college will take the first job that comes their way via the connections they made before graduating.

Robert DeCusati recommends to never accept a position until you have done your “due diligence” on the company and the industry. Sometimes, a better angle to take when looking for work in the finance industry is to look at companies you want to work for instead of a particular position. The internet, local business council members, and professional associations should be used for intelligence on industries and specific firms.  Robert DeCusati made full use of Fairfield University’s internal career center as a senior and recommends students to utilize this avenue at their respective schools.

Another means to land the right role is to seek out and develop relationships with financial recruiters.  Although the recruiters most frequently deal with professionals who have several years of experience this is a means that should not be overlooked.  Recruiters are in daily correspondence with CFO’s, Controllers, and other key hiring professionals.

Robert DeCusati - The Value of De-Stressing

Robert DeCusati understands the importance of de-stressing. He knows that too much stress can lead to a lower work performance. He takes the time to relax, so that when he returns to work, his mind is sharp and ready to take on any challenge.

Any career can be stressful. Making deadlines, preparing for meetings, and problem solving take a major physical and mental toll. Those late nights at the office, and those weekends filled with extra work can leave you burned out. It is important to keep your mind strong by letting go of work for a few hours and taking the time to relax. There are several easy ways to de-stress, so that when you go back to the office, you will be ready for anything.

A great way to unwind is to take a day off here and there. Make sure that you have a day all to yourself. A day that you can sleep in, go for a run, and enjoy time with friends. This will help keep your body and your mind in great shape.

Having a hobby is a fantastic way to get away from the office. Take up a sport, or join a club. This will help you socialize with people outside of work. It will also give you something else to focus on for a few hours here and there. These hobbies will get you out into the world, and away from the office. Then, when you go back to work, you will be refreshed and renewed.

Robert DeCusati has several hobbies that keep both his mind and his body active. They help him unwind on the weekends and prepare himself for another week of hard work.
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Robert DeCusati - How to Become a Skilled Hockey Player

Robert DeCusati is an avid hockey player and is a part of the Sperry Hockey Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. He loves being a spectator, as well as a participant, and wishes he had more time to play. Hockey is a contact team sport. It is played in a rink and on ice. During a game, each team has six members who are in play. Each team tries to score points by using a hockey stick to shoot a rubber puck into the opposite teams goal net. This game is fast paced and full contact. It requires a huge amount of energy, strength, and agility.

In order to become a great hockey player, the first step is learning how to be fast on the ice. You should practice skating every day, because it is vital that you become comfortable with different levels of speed. It is also important that your learn how to maneuver easily, so that you can make sharp turns and come to a sudden stop when you need to.

You need to be physically strong as well. This sport is full contact, so you need to be able to withstand other people skating and slamming into you. One way you can develop this strength, is practicing with your team members. The quickest way to train your body to withstand this force, is to practice on the ice. You will learn how to stay up on your feet when someone slams into you.

Robert DeCusati plays hockey with his team members, and is the club treasurer as well. He loves the physical challenge and the competition of hockey.
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