In this alumni spotlight, we catch up with Jason Lisogorsky (Class of 2004), a Financial Analyst at RTI and a proud Binghamton University graduate. Jason’s journey into finance and accounting wasn’t built on a straight path; it was shaped by meaningful relationships, on-campus involvement, and a deep commitment to self-growth. From writing for Pipe Dream to participating in Alpha Phi Omega at Bing, Jason shares how experiences both in and outside the classroom prepared him for the real world. His candid reflections offer powerful advice on navigating your early career, choosing a major, building critical skills, and staying adaptable in an ever changing professional landscape. Whether you’re a student unsure of your next step or a recent grad entering the job market, Jason’s story is packed with all kinds of helpful insight.
Alumni Jason Lisogorsky
Current Job Title Financial Analyst 3
Employer/Current Organization RTI
Graduation Year 2004
Major at Binghamton University Accounting
Alumni Spotlight
Which industry cluster do you currently work in?
Business & Entrepreneurship – I have worked in business (Finance and Accounting in my career)
Campus Involvement & Gaining Experience
What activities and clubs/organizations did you participate in during your time at Binghamton University? This could include on-campus employment, research, volunteering, study abroad, student organizations, etc..
I wrote for the Pipedream newspaper in the sports section, as well as participated in Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity
Did you complete an internship?
No – I didn’t participate in an internship
If yes, please include where you interned and any relevant details about the position or the skills you gained.
I didn’t have an internship. I did work a summer at Computer Associates in collections, but got that role through a referral from a family friend.
How did your experiences outside of the classroom influence your career development?
The experiences outside the classroom gave me that work ethic and drive to constantly improve in my day to day life. I learned how to work on different teams or interact with customers, whether it was working as a Sales Associate at Structure, Collections at Computer Associates or Housing Association program that helped low income families with down payments on a home.
How did your experience at Binghamton University help prepare you for your first position post-graduation?
I learned at Binghamton how to work well in teams. The accounting program at Binghamton can be very challenging so getting prepared to study hard and build your network was key and helped me a lot in my career.
Career & Major Exploration
Why did you select your major at Binghamton University? What experiences or factors influenced your decision?
There were two influences that helped me to select my major. My grandfather, who was very influential in my life, was an accountant. The other reason I would not recommend doing it is that I thought it would give me a great job when I graduated. It took me six months to get a role when I graduated from college.
What advice would you give to a student who is exploring different major options?
I would recommend picking a major that aligns with your passions and values. Thinking about things that are the most important to you. It’s important to weigh the pros and the cons with the majors and know that you can always pivot into another career down the road. It doesn’t define long term where you will be going in your life.
How did your coursework at Binghamton prepare you for your current role? The accounting program was very challenging but it really gave me that structure and discipline to excel when challenges are thrown your way in life.
What class at Binghamton University was most influential for you and why? I loved my creative writing course. It isn’t what I do in my day to day job, however writing is my outlet for getting thoughts onto paper. Life can be so challenging and knowing you have a passion that allows you to express yourself creatively in a different outlet is great to have.
Skill Development
What would you say is the most important skill in your field and how do you use it in your current position? I would say building relationships is very important. I work with project leaders to ensure that they don’t overspend or underspend their funds compared to what was allocated. In addition, we work with other people on our team, contracts, billers, accounts payable, finance business partners and other key players. It is important to get to know people on a personal basis because in the end it will help you to understand what everyone’s role is at the company.
How can Binghamton University students develop this skill while in college? You can work in groups in your classes and interact with different people on campus. It is important that you learn how to work with different people from different backgrounds and understand that not all people are the same. In the end, it will help you to grow as an individual and in the long run it can help you down the road if you are interested in switching positions or industries.
If you were hiring a new graduate for your company, what skills and experiences would help candidates stand out? Most important is the ability to work in teams. I would say get experiences as close to your field as you can. If you can’t get an internship, try to get roles where you can learn Excel, PowerPoint, and other software that is used in your respective industries. It is important to be adaptable and know thatnot every day will be the same, but you’ll continue learning. Asking questions are very important, and don’t be afraid of not knowing something.
Job Search
What tools and resources were most helpful to you during your job search? It is important that while job hunting that if you aren’t able to find something, continue building your skills on LinkedIn or Coursera. I used Linkedin a lot for networking and Binghamton has a great mentor/mentee match website. I would recommend reaching out to alumni and having a conversation. I wouldn’t ask specifically about a job they have and if they have a role in mind for you they should bring it up. If it doesn’t get you somewhere initially, don’t be frustrated because in the long run it might pay off more than you realize.
What is your advice for writing a strong resume/cover letter for a position in your field? It is important for a strong resume to make sure that dates or bullets line up correctly. I would run it through a spell or grammar check to ensure that it looks polished and professional. I would make sure to try to include quantifying numbers so you can show the level of impact in the resume. I would make sure to try to tailor the resumes to the job descriptions to try to include experiences that you have done that align best to the job roles you are applying to.
What is your advice for interviewing for positions within your field? How can recent graduates stand out? I would recommend researching the website of a company and have concrete reasons for why you want to work at that company. Definitely look up the interviewers on LinkedIn so you can be prepared. Ask solid questions about culture or day to day to understand what type of role you are getting into and if it aligns with your passion.
What is one thing you would suggest students do before graduation to be more prepared for the job search? I would research companies and look into yourself to understand what you want in your career. If you want to work at a large firm, you might have to work a lot of hours, but if you cherish work life balance, that might not align together. Do you want a small or a large company? Do you want a small or large team? It is ok to not know this right away, and it took me many iterations of jobs until I realized what I liked.
General Career Advice
What is the best piece of career advice you have received?
If you don’t know something, ask questions. If you don’t get it the first time, continue to ask until you are able to understand and be able to explain to someone else.
Is there any additional knowledge or advice you would like to share? Your first job out of school doesn’t define you as a person. There is no straight path in your career. You might get laid off, restructured, etc but in the end you will be where you need to be. Continue believing in yourself and push to get to where you want to be in life. Dont be frustrated if you don’t have your dream job right away but know that you can achieve it. It might take time to get there.
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn
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