Bosnian Refugee, M.B.A. Alumnus Promoted to Supervisor of Pricing Operations at BNY Mellon Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Meet Elvir Muslimovic
Job title: Supervisor of Pricing Operations
Employer: BNY Mellon
Degrees earned: M.B.A. with a concentration in International Business, 2013; and B.S. in Criminal Justice, 2011, both from Point Park University
Hometown: Banovici, Bosnia
High school: Banovici High School
Now living in: Baldwin Borough of Pittsburgh
LinkedIn: Elvir Muslimovic
How did your M.B.A. degree help you land a position with BNY Mellon?
I've always wanted to work in the finance world so I decided to pursue an M.B.A. degree. Point Park's M.B.A. program was the perfect opportunity for me and it helped me tremendously in getting hired by BNY Mellon. Along with my M.B.A. degree, my management experience working at Point Park as deputy director of public safety also played a role in landing this position.
What do you like best about your job?
It's very exciting, challenging and competitive. The days go by really fast and the department I work in is very dynamic. I enjoy learning how the market operates and in my new role, working directly with the hedge fund Bridgewater LLC.
Every day there is something new happening all over the world. I'm often on the phone with people from various countries such as Indonesia, England and India. In the banking industry, the world is a global village.
As a Bosnian refugee, what brought you to Pittsburgh and Point Park?
I got married in 1999 and after that, we applied for a U.S. Visa. It was an extreme vetting processing and in August of 2001, we were assigned to Pittsburgh. In 2002, I started working in security for the University and later began pursuing my degrees at Point Park.
Why did you decide to continue at Point Park for graduate school?
I thought the M.B.A. program at Point Park University would be an excellent opportunity for me to strive toward a career in management and finance. These fields have always been my passion so I met with Dr. Dimitris Kraniou and he inspired me to enroll in the program.
How have your M.B.A. classes helped you in the work you do?
BNY Mellon is a global company so my International Finance class really helped me learn about how the financial world functions. We learned everything from the basics right down to the financial instruments you will be using in this industry.
Also, my Macro Analysis and Quantitative Methods classes were great for enhancing my problem-solving skills and learning how to apply logic in any type of career.
The international faculty at Point Park really understand the picture of the global finance industry and are able to transfer that knowledge to the students. Professors like Dr. Kraniou are excellent with this. He is brilliant and a really good person.
What advice do you have for our international students here at Point Park?
Learn as much as you can in your subject of interest. There are many great programs and classes at Point Park that will offer you with the knowledge to pursue a career in the United States or take it back to your home country and apply it to your field.
Get involved at Point Park. The University offers a lot of international events and opportunities to get involved. The International Student Services Office is a great resource for international students.
Also, explore our neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and meet new people. Pittsburgh is the perfect place for this. There are a lot of people here with different ethnic backgrounds.
Final thoughts?
I'm really happy where I've ended up both professionally and personally. Everything worked out - and I've fulfilled my lifelong dream to work in finance.
I had a great experience at Point Park University. The University will always have a special place in my heart. I really admire the faculty and students there.
Photo by Gracey Evans, sophomore photojournalism major
More About: Rowland School of Business, graduate programs, alumni, BNY Mellon, M.B.A., Downtown Pittsburgh