Q:When did you graduate from the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and with what degree?
In 1986 with a Master's in Business Administration (MBA).
Q:What's your most interesting memory from your time at Northeastern?
I have two great memories of Northeastern University (NU). First, the people were dynamic, communicative, and always ready to participate. Classes were fun, upbeat, and fast moving. NU paved an easy path to build on my core knowledge base while introducing me to new ideas and incredible people. Second, the campus and the city had an incredible pulse. In 1986, every sports team went to the championship finals (Sox, Celts, Pats, and Bruins), and the enthusiasm carried over onto the campus.
Q:What is your current profession and what led you there?
I've been a CFO for 20 years and ran two professional services firms, but most recently I am driving operations as co-founder of Hub Recruiting. We opened our doors in 2011, and we've grown very quickly. We have 30+ employees and support Talent Acquisition for some of the hottest tech firms in greater Boston.
Q:How did D'Amore-McKim prepare you for this career in the global business world?
Not only did I receive a great education, I also learned a great deal about working on teams and the nuances of leveraging skills to the greater good of the project. NU was my first introduction to case study learning, leadership development, and organizational behavior. I learned more about running a company from my organizational behavior classes than one could imagine.
Q:How is the talent acquisition industry shifting with today's graduates?
We're spoiled, let's be honest. Boston has some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S., the best medical facilities in the world, and arguably the best tech and biotech startups. Our labor market is highly competitive, where the demand for talent now outweighs the supply. This is particularly true in engineering, sales, and product-type roles. Great consulting firms stand tall in competitive markets by differentiating their platforms and listening to their clients. We've stayed ahead of the curve, and I credit the NU program for doing the same.
Q:What would you say to a prospective student considering D'Amore-McKim for their business degree?
In the 80's NU was a good school. Today, D'Amore-McKim with its co-op program, is one of the top schools in its class. It's progressive, innovative, and it allows students to integrate the actual business world with their business degree. If you have limited real world business experience, or want to change careers, NU offers an excellent platform to advance both in one program.
Hear more from alumnus and staffing industry expert, Tom Pimm,MBA'86, on his interviewing advice and how to articulate your value proposition.