M.B.A. Alumna, Kazakhstan Native Inspired by Professor to Pursue C.F.E. and C.P.A. Licenses Thursday, July 16, 2015

Meet Gulsara Shingozhina

Job title: ISS Specialist (Investment Services)
Employer: Bank of New York Mellon
Degrees earned: M.B.A. with an international business concentration, 2013, Point Park University, and B.A. in economics, 2011, Moscow University of Industry and Finance
Grad school activities: Graduate assistant for the School of Business, member of the Graduate Student Association and volunteer for the International Student Services and Enrollment Office
Hometown: Almaty, Kazakhstan
High school: Kazakh-Turkish High School
Now living in: Monroeville, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, horseback riding, rock climbing, yoga and spending time with family and friends
LinkedIn: Gulsara Shingozhina

As an international student, why did you decide to go with Point Park for grad school?

As a foreign student, I was looking for a school that offered interesting programs, had a great reputation, a convenient location, smaller size classes and most importantly, cultural diversity. Point Park met all my requirements.

One of the greatest characteristics of Point Park is its faculty, who create a warm and positive environment for international students. I especially would like to thank Rebecca Lee and Amanda Avampato in the International Student Services and Enrollment Office for their support and love, and for organizing incredible cultural events that brought all domestic and international students and faculty together.

How did you land your position with BNY Mellon?

I always wanted to work for a big corporation that provided unlimited opportunities for advancement and assisted their employees in developing their skills and expertise. My preferences perfectly fit with the offer I received from BNY Mellon. I'm certain that the M.B.A. degree and professional and social experiences I gained at Point Park made me a qualified candidate for the corporation.

As an ISS specialist, what are your key responsibilities?

My key responsibilities as an ISS specialist for investment services are to provide global custody and related services to domestic and global financial institutional clients and service their financial assets throughout an investment life cycle.

What do you enjoy most about working in Downtown Pittsburgh?

I truly enjoy the culturally diverse and fast-paced environment in Downtown Pittsburgh that motivates you to accomplish tasks before deadlines, improves your skills in prioritizing and time management and challenges you professionally. In addition, working Downtown gives you an opportunity to network with incredible and interesting people and exchange professional advice and ideas.

Who influenced you during your time at Point Park?

All my Point Park professors have influenced me at some point in my school years; each shared their experience, guided and helped me to change my perspectives. I thank them for sharing their knowledge and invaluable advice.

Professor Maharaja inspired me to pursue Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Public Accountant licensures. I recently obtained the C.F.E. license and am currently studying for the C.P.A. exam. His advice helped me to choose my career path.

Professor Kraniou broadened my horizons through his exciting, and at the same time, very challenging economics, special topics and statistics (my favorite) classes. He helped me to analyze situations from all different angles and think globally. His methodology inspired me to constantly self study and he awakened my interest in learning about other forms of life.

I've had great opportunities to visit other countries and learn their cultures. However, Professor Sidky's classes provided real life, immeasurable knowledge about cultural intelligence which I'm currently successfully applying to my career.

What were your favorite student life experiences at Point Park?

I loved all the international student events on campus including the Global Trivia Bowl and the Global Festival Celebration. I learned a lot about different cultures and enjoyed trying all the food they had there. The dancing was beautiful, too.

How is your M.B.A. degree helping you reach your career goals?

I apply the knowledge I've obtained, from economics to business culture principles, at my workplace and in my personal life almost every day. As an investment specialist, my degree has also benefited me in analyzing global financial markets and generating new ideas to help BNY Mellon support and satisfy its clients.

Final thoughts?

I know that choosing Point Park was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. In the span of two years, I learned important academic and personal lessons. The professors played a key role as they were extremely encouraging, inspiring and supportive toward students. I graduated almost two years ago and we still keep in touch. I recommend Point Park to all my local and international friends and colleagues.

Photo by Victoria A. Mikula, junior mass communication major

More About: success story, Graduate Student Association, BNY Mellon, Rowland School of Business, M.B.A., alumni