Iona Alumnus Jakub Korek ’20 Provides Leadership to Multi-Million-Dollar Projects at Deloitte Consulting
Name: Jakub Korek ’20
Hometown: Warsaw, Poland
High School: The Bolles School
Majors: Finance and Information Systems
Company: Deloitte Consulting
Job Title: Finance Consultant
What do you love most about what you’re currently doing?
I love the confidence and responsibility entrusted to me to provide financial leadership, analysis, and modeling for engagements and accounts totaling over $150 million. This includes successfully managing the FinOps (financial operations) of multi-million-dollar projects, pricing multi-million-dollar deals, building highly effective FinTech tools, as well as financial consulting to firm leadership.
What is a day in the life like at your company?
It can be busy but definitely rewarding. What I like most is that there are few scenarios with a playbook for them, so everyday I'm in charge of coming up with the most efficient and effective solutions.
Why did you decide to study your particular major?
I decided to combine finance and technology because it provided me with a very unique and sought-after skillset of operating between the two fields.
How did Iona prepare you to get where you are today?
Iona did a stellar job in preparing me for my life today, mainly through the professors who were often times practicing professionals and brought real-life experience into the classroom.
Were you involved in student groups or activities? If so, how did they shape or support your career path?
I was a student athlete on the swim team at Iona which filled me with the grit and perseverance needed to succeed in a such dynamic and challenging field like consulting. I was also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Information Systems Club, and a business tutor at the Rudin Center.
What's your fondest Iona memory?
Nights at the Beechmont Tavern after exams.
Was there a professor, staff member, or peer who made an impact on you while you were at Iona? If so, who and why?
One of the most challenging and rewarding classes I took was finance with the late Professor Moscato. He demanded a lot, but at the same time he was a treasure chest of knowledge about the world of finance and was able to put the textbook concepts into real life scenarios. He gave me good grounding for pursing the CFA Charter.
What is the lasting impact Iona has made in your personal and professional life?
What I learned at Iona is that no matter who you are and what your background is, if you apply yourself and show commitment, opportunities will arise and people will be happy to extend their help.
What advice do you have for a current Iona student who wants to follow a similar path?
You only have so much time in college so use it wisely - be extraordinary in what you study and in what you do outside of the classroom and then fill the remaining time with as much fun as you can.
What seven words would your family and friends use to describe you?
Hard-working, friendly, committed, helpful, tolerant, ambitious, and fun.