Matt McShane '19, BA ECON, General Business Minor
Title: Branch Manager, University of Maryland Branch
Employer: M&T Bank
What do you enjoy the most about your position?
My favorite part of my current position is being at the University and having the chance to make a lasting impact at my alma mater. Part of M&T Bank's mission at UMD is to provide financial education trainings to the students, faculty, and staff. Being able to bridge that gap for the UMD community inspires me. We go through a lot of education in life and really don't get much training on credit, buying a home, retirement etc. Doing these workshops provides the UMD community with some of that education to build upon as they move through the University.
What is a typical day like?
As Branch Manager of the M&T Bank in Stamp, my day is very hard to describe as "typical." The branch tries to participate in everything we can with the University to get in front of students, faculty and staff. Some days I am at the branch helping customers with their banking needs, other days I am around campus presenting financial education workshops, and sometimes I will spend multiple days in a classroom setting developing case competitions! My days are always changing and evolving, which give me a lot of flexibility to pursue different opportunities.
How did you find this job?
I found my current position on the Careers4Terps website! I applied for the Management Development Program that M&T Bank runs each year for students graduating college. The program lasted for a year, with anticipation of becoming a branch manager in the years to follow.
Which undergraduate experiences did you find most helpful in preparing you for your current position?
On-campus leadership played a big part in developing me for my current position. The experiences of leading peers through difficult decisions, or holding a meeting to brainstorm ideas for the future was very valuable for me. Effective communication is a large part of succeeding in the professional world, and the exposure you obtain from leading diverse student organizations throughout campus really helps you refine your skills!
How has your coursework helped you in your current position?
Group work, group work, group work! My role as a branch managers consists of a lot of talking and working across multiple business lines of the bank. In a classroom setting, working on a project with a group is similar. Everyone has other things to do outside of that one project, different things going on throughout the day. Learning how to schedule meetings and come together to complete a task is a skill I developed from these projects, and I use it on a daily basis in my career.
Any job or internship advice for students seeking a position in your field?
As you are going through interviews remember to ask yourself "is this company the right fit for me?" We can often get caught up in trying to impress employers in an attempt to get the job you want, but its very important that the employer also impresses you. Make sure your values align with that of the companies, and you will be a good fit!
UMD is a special place! Enjoy your time here -- you will remember it for the rest of your life. Go Terps!!
