Banking on a Future in Finance

Bernice Essuman may be studying for her M.B.A. with a finance concentration on the New York City campus, but her academic journey began in the social sciences with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and linguistics from the University of Ghana, Legon. However, everything changed after she accepted a position at Ecobank Ghana.

Empowered in her role to make sense of complex business problems and fascinated with the dynamics of accounting and financial operations, Essuman completed part one and began part two of her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants certification. But she still wished to advance even further.

“I realized that to take on more strategic roles and understand the broader financial landscape, including investment analysis, capital markets, and corporate finance, I needed a more comprehensive and globally focused education,” she says, crediting New York Tech’s STEM-certified M.B.A. program and AACSB-accredited School of Management with attracting her to the university for her graduate studies.

“The U.S. offered the academic rigor and career exposure I was seeking,” says Essuman, a who was born and raised in Ghana. “New York Tech’s program was the perfect fit for my goals.”

Academics wasn’t the only factor in choosing New York Tech, though. She says the campus’ Manhattan location, with “its close proximity to real-world experiences that complement classroom learning,” was too good to pass up. She is also taking advantage of on-campus opportunities, with a student worker position with Information Technology Services. From spring 2024 through fall 2025, Essuman is assisting students with technical issues, providing hardware and troubleshooting software, and analyzing operational data to support internal decision-making.

Besides helping her develop a blend of technical, analytical, and communication skills, the role has opened doors she didn’t expect. New York Tech is part of the ServiceNow Academic Partner Program, enabling better technological support for the university, as well as the opportunity for students to have real-world work experience while receiving training in skills critical to their future careers.

On recommendations from Client Services and Engagement’s Director Darren Moses and Assistant Director LA Sjogren, Essuman attended the ServiceNow Knowledge25 Conference in May as an academic partner. Hosted in Las Vegas, the event offered hands-on workshops, learning sessions, networking, and competitive team-based activities.

“Knowledge25 gave me a broader perspective on how technology is transforming the way organizations operate,” she says. “Hearing firsthand industry perspectives affirmed my desire to work at the intersection of finance and technology.”

Essuman is also involved in extracurricular activities. In fall 2024, she was part of the founding team for Consult X, a club where students with a shared passion for solving real business problems can come together to apply their collective knowledge and help businesses in the area. With Essuman as senator, the club officially launched in the spring and has since provided pro bono consulting services to companies that need strategic support.

The group recently worked with a local restaurant to help strengthen its customer experience, digital presence, and long-term growth. Along with developing a tiered loyalty rewards program to increase customer retention and encourage repeat visits, Consult X provided strategic recommendations on brand identity, social media optimization, and community engagement, as well as proposed a dedicated website with search engine optimization strategies to boost their online visibility.

Essuman is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma—the International Business Honor Society—as well as a graduate assistant with the Office of Academic Success and Enrichment’s Learning Center, where she helps coordinate tutoring services, supports student learning programs, and contributes to the development of academic resources.

As her fall 2025 graduation approaches, Essuman is excited to break into the finance field. Based on her interests in equity and fixed income securities, she sees herself in a role related to investment analysis, securities research, or financial consulting. Above all, she hopes to join a firm where she can continue to grow and gain hands-on experience. To better prepare herself, she is studying for the Securities Industry Essentials certification exam and is completing a series of ServiceNow training courses.

“Your background doesn’t have to define your future; what matters most is your willingness to learn and adapt,” Essuman advises. “Be patient with your journey and trust the process because every step adds value to your development.”