Thomas Taylor, BA 2000, 2003

Vice President Employee Programs and Advancement Consultant, Bank of America

Thomas is responsible for supporting and executing on strategic priorities and results within the Early Talent Framework. Thomas oversees Bank of America’s Private Bank Wealth Management Summer and Full-time Analyst experience and partners with the local markets, HR, Campus recruiting, Learning and Leadership Development teams to execute a best-in-class experience for the participants. The Private Bank Wealth Management Analyst Program consist of rotational experience to get broad exposure within the Private bank, while allowing analyst sufficient time for skill demonstration through hands-on learning.

Learn more about Thomas:

Why did you choose to attend Southeastern?

I earned a track scholarship one week before school started.

Is there one thing or iconic place on campus that reminds you of your time spent at Southeastern?

I spent a lot of my time either on the track or in the athletic training room. The trainers really took care of us. I remember being in the training room before and after practice.

What is your fondest Southeastern memory?

Any time hanging with my fraternity brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I was nine hours from home so they really became my family ... many times taking me home with them during holidays or breaks.  Even to this day, some of my best trips or visits are when we are all together.

Did a Southeastern professor inspire you? Who was that and how was that person inspirational?

Funny thing is my biggest inspiration came from “Doc” The head athletic trainer. Whenever I was going through anything from my school work to personal things he was always there with a funny quote or positive encouragement. He had nothing to gain from me graduating or even competing on the track. He was just a genuine person.

How did your Southeastern degree prepare you for success in your career?

My time at Southeastern prepared me for the real world and helped me to navigate through the corporate world. I was able to learn to work with other from diverse back grounds on a common goal.

What advice would you give to a driven college student about to enter the "real world"?

Prepare early and often. Don’t wait till you are about to graduate to start searching for your career job. Start now, jobs are already recruiting one year in the future for top talent.  Also don’t be afraid to pivot in life. This world will throw you a few curve balls. Take those strike outs, but never stop swinging.

What advice should they ignore? 

"Put your head down and work hard, and you will be noticed." Yes put your head down and work hard but also you have to go out and network and build your brand to be noticed. It’s not about who you know anymore but rather about who knows you.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Free time? What’s that? When I’m not working I’m uber’ing my kids back and forth from gymnastics practice or swimming lessons. But when we do actual get some free time we love being outdoors and traveling. Cancun is our favorite place to visit.

Do you have a fun or interesting fact that you would like to share about yourself?

I worked for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team during the 2006 season when they won the World Series and received a World Series Ring!