Dan Linfante

Rutgers Business School

“An innovative and passionate leader who wants to drive change and serve people.”

Hometown: Whippany, N.J.

Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been doing martial arts for 17 years.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Rutgers University, Applied Kinesiology

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? United States Marine Corps., Rank: 1st Lieutenant. Job: Communication Strategy and Operations Officer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Bristol Meyers Squibb, Princeton, NJ

Where will you be working after graduation? Bristol Meyers Squib, Commercial Leadership Development, Program Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Helped first-year veteran students prepare for the MBA Veterans conference.
• Mentored undergraduate real-estate finance students in the course material.
• Helped a first-year MBA student prepare for summer internship at Bristol Meyers Squibb.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Having a 3.8 GPA going into my last semester is something that I am proud of. It’s a reflection of the dedication and work ethic that I’ve put into my classwork. Doing this while balancing the professional responsibilities that come with being a business school student makes it even more meaningful.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Leading Marines. I was surrounded by some of the greatest people I have ever met, and I had the honor of leading them for four years. Marines are tough, hard-working, mission-focused, and have incredibly high standards for themselves and their leaders. I carry the lessons I learned from that experience into everything that I do today.

Why did you choose this business school? Recruiting network. Rutgers Business School has a very strong group of companies that actively recruit from its programs. Students are also encouraged to attend recruiting conferences and even reimbursed for doing so. I had this experience when going to the MBA Veterans recruiting conference.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Farrokh Langdana. He is passionate, committed to his students, engaging, and fair. All of that shined through in the course material. His class taught important topics in a way that was easy to understand and fun to learn about.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Aggregate Economic Analysis. One reason was because of Professor Langdana (see above). This class gave me a great foundation in my understanding of Macroeconomics, and it was taught using current and historical events, which made the class incredibly interesting.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Many of the student government events were great because they built cohesion amongst our class. I believe that the most valuable thing a student can get out of an MBA is the network. These events certainly facilitated building stronger friendships and a stronger network for after

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? One thing I would do differently is get more involved with the veteran community early on. Being a veteran gives you access to a network of very talented individuals who are in a similar career situation. I was so focused on the MBA network that I didn’t spend enough time tapping into the robust veteran network that exists amongst graduate-level and undergraduate-level students at Rutgers.

What is the biggest myth about your school? I can’t really say that there is a “myth” about Rutgers Business School. The school lives up to the standards and achievements that it displays to the world.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Rutgers Business School is located in Newark, an urban downtown near New York City. This means plenty of opportunities for both social and professional activities.

What surprised you the most about business school? The pace early on surprised me at first. Balancing a full-time workload for both recruiting and classwork was challenging. Prioritization was key, especially in the first semester.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Michael Garber. He has an ability to network with high-level professionals in any setting that is second to none. It’s a skill that I am focused on developing and his example provides an excellent blueprint for success.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Start my own business. That has always been a life goal of mine, I just need to iron out the idea first.

2. Work abroad. You can gain valuable experiences while working abroad. I learned this lesson while serving in the military. The insights you gain from living and working in a different setting with different cultural values can improve your overall performance in business.

What made Dan such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Since joining our MBA program almost two years ago, Dan has exemplified academic excellence and profoundly impacted our community, embodying the values and spirit of our institution. Indeed, his United States Marine Corps training and experience have served him well at Rutgers.

Dan’s journey is a testament to his resilience, leadership, and commitment to his MBA experience. Indeed, he has consistently sought opportunities to mentor fellow undergraduate and graduate students, including helping them with their coursework and career management process. For instance, he’s mentored a first-year student who landed a summer internship at Bristol Meyers Squibb.

Dan’s dedication to creating change and serving others extends beyond the classroom. Indeed, his leadership includes social responsibility and the overall betterment of society. Therefore, I am confident that the business world is gaining an exceptional leader who will significantly impact his employers and colleagues.”

Dean Vera
Director, MBA Office of Career Management

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024