Success story: Gene Colucci hired by Morgan Stanley

Success Stories | Mar 21, 2013 | Nicole Gesualdo

1,000 to 30 to 9.

That’s the sequence of numbers that got Gene Colucci (GSB ’13) into the door at Morgan Stanley, where he was offered a full-time position.

One thousand is the number of applications Morgan Stanley received — Gene’s among them — for last year’s summer analyst program. Thirty is the number asked by the firm to participate in a “super day” of intense interviews. Nine was the number of summer analysts chosen.

Gene was one of those nine. He performed extremely well as an intern, and Morgan Stanley has invited him to join its two-year internal audit analyst program after graduation. Congratulations!

The summer internship also was in internal audit, so Gene heads into his post-Fordham job with experience. As an intern, he created narratives for walkthroughs with clients, worked in teams that included analysts through VPs, and prepared weekly metrics for the division’s chief operating officer, among other tasks. His days also included quite a bit of networking — an activity that helped him discover that the firm was a good place for him.

“I know that I fit in with the people who work in Morgan Stanley internal audit,” said Gene, who is wrapping up a major in accounting and a minor in economics. “I know most of the incoming analyst class with me, and I have become friends with more senior people. I also have had a taste of the work and was able to get a glimpse of what I am going to do.”

Gene said Morgan Stanley’s emphasis on community service also resonated, coming from a school like Fordham. During his internship, he spent time sorting items at a food bank. “They value the community,” he said. “They encourage every employee to go out and do community service on the company’s time.”

Looking back, Gene knows that the strength of his initial internship application and his performance on the “super day” were critical in the run-up to his first permanent job. He encouraged fellow Gabelli School students to prepare for a super-day situation as best as they possibly can.

“Research the company and the internship or job,” he advised. “You should know about the company’s business and any recent news about it. You should also know what the job you are going for is and why you want to do it.”

“Be energetic about the job,” he added. “Show your passion. People have told me that they would rather have an intern or new full-time person with passion over someone with skills.”

“They can teach you skills, but they cannot teach you passion.”