Benjamin Bosco was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut in 1997 to two parents working successfully in the field of medicine. Benjamin attended East Catholic High School with his three brothers and excelled academically and athletically. Following high school, he was accepted into the University of Connecticut where he is now working towards a degree in business, majoring in Management Information Systems.
Benjamin has been extremely involved in extracurricular activities throughout his time at university but has maintained a very high-grade point average. He’s currently a member of a campus fraternity and the treasurer of the school’s tennis team. Additionally, Benjamin spends a good deal of his time DJing for a popular campus radio station, an activity he very quickly realized he had an affinity for. Among his many extracurriculars, Benjamin is also working with the school’s professors as part of the educational support department to develop websites for specific classes.
One of Benjamin Bosco’s long-term goals is to improve the functionality of businesses by streamlining their management and technology strategies. He hopes to achieve this goal by being hands-on, knowledgeable, and open to feedback throughout his personal and professional life. When he’s not hard at work for his classes or his extracurricular activities, Benjamin likes to go to concerts to discover new music, watch movies, and spend time with his friends and family.
How do you recommend one creates a balance between their academic/ professional life and their personal life?
It is important as a college student to find a good balance between your studies and your personal life. I have always found that if I am successful academically then happiness in my personal life will follow appropriately. The primary focus in college should be to succeed first academically by getting work done in a timely manner. Having a set schedule for library time, attending extra help sessions with professors or their assistants as well as early preparation for exams and term papers has worked as a successful model for me. I also value my extracurricular and social life on campus and have made time to participate in a fraternity, club tennis, radio station and a work-study job within the administration. I also enjoy just spending time with my friends, watching movies, or going to sports games. These activities are much more enjoyable knowing I am keeping up with my academics.
How do you handle problems when they arise?
You can always count on things not going as planned. When a problem arises, I try not to panic. Take a deep breath, relax, and troubleshoot. Be willing to think “outside the box”, adapt, and be creative. Take a step back, see where things went wrong and take corrective measures. I am quick to research solutions on the Internet as well as speak to other people who are knowledgeable and may have more experience with the problem at hand. I try to remember that things usually work out in a positive manner. Most of all, try not to make the problem worse than it already is.
What do you do to unwind after a long day?
After a long day of classes or work, I find the best way to unwind is with athletics. I try to get a workout in like going for a run or bike ride (if the weather permits) or go to the gym. I love to play tennis and can always find a friend from my club tennis team to play. Music is my other passion and I find it very relaxing to play my guitar or put on a CD from one of my favorite bands and just sit back in a comfortable chair with my headphones
Was there ever a time you doubted yourself or your professional skills? How did you deal with this?
During the college application process, I found myself to be insecure and was having self-doubt. Looking back, I think much of this was listening to others and believing my credentials may not be good enough to achieve my academic goals. I questioned whether my grades were good enough and worried that I should have done better on my SAT exams. After speaking with my guidance counselor, who helped me understand how to match my academic record to prospective colleges, I became more confident in my achievements and myself as a whole. Ultimately, I attended a University that was able to offer the business major I was seeking in Management Information Systems.
What is a recent trend in the field of business technology that you’re excited about?
The rapid incorporation of technology into the business model where each discipline has become equally responsible for the success of the business is fascinating. I am most excited about the use of technology to provide platforms that expose the next generation of millennials to products and services that otherwise might not be utilized by this population group. Technology that will provide easy access to products and services will continue to grow and be essential for economic success.
What is one strategy to generate business that you recommend all businesses do?
All businesses would benefit by the increased marketing of products and services to target younger generations on media platforms that are commonly accessible to this population. Social media especially is so important for businesses to utilize.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
The most difficult decision I have had to make in the past few months was selecting a summer internship program. Following the application process and waiting for what seemed like forever, I finally received three offers from three different companies. There were qualities of each internship that were attractive and each offered different experiences that would be of value to my education and career goals. After considering a number of factors, I decided on an internship that offered a friendly and casual work environment that would allow me to be a part of a team. The other internships were a part of a more rigid corporate structure. A relaxed work atmosphere that would be of value to my career objectives seemed like a better way to spend my summer.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I have always had a desire to do well in school and extracurricular activities such as athletics. Although at times I did not do as well as I had hoped, I found satisfaction in knowing that I did the best I could and gave it my strongest effort. I have a tremendous support system from my family and received a great deal of positive reinforcement from my parents for both my successes and failures. I believe that my desire to obtain my parents’ approval has driven me to a higher level of success than I otherwise would have achieved.
What has been your most satisfying moment in life?
Although I can think of a few moments where I achieved great personal satisfaction, the one that stands out for me is when I went undefeated in singles tennis in my junior year of high school. At the start of the season, my coach believed that I could accomplish this goal. I was not so confident as I looked at the tennis schedule for that year and noted a couple of opponents I had lost to during the prior season. I stayed focused, worked hard in practice and finished the regular season with 18 victories and no defeats. The Coach rewarded my efforts with a personalized tennis sweatshirt.
What does the future hold for you?
I would ultimately like to work for a company in the midwest. I am an avid skier and love the outdoors. Denver, Colorado would be a great place to settle I think.
What books have inspired you?
“Open,” a biography by Andre Agassi, the hall of fame tennis player, was very inspiring to me, especially because I love tennis and enjoy watching professional tennis. The perseverance demonstrated to achieve greatness in spite of an abusive father and fighting the internal demons of self- doubt and depression was remarkable. Agassi’s extreme natural ability and his ultimate success overcame his acquired hatred for tennis. A hatred which came with the many sacrifices he was required to make in his life to play at such a high level. At the book’s conclusion, Agassi proclaims his real love for the game and gives back to the community by starting a foundation and school for underprivileged children with his wife Steffi Graf, also a hall of fame tennis player.
What is a recent purchase you have made that has helped you achieve your goals?
I recently purchased a Mini Google Home, a small wireless device connected to the Internet that I can reference quickly for any information I might require. I can get quick weather information, play music, or ask about recent current events or historical facts. The device can also remind me of scheduled events in my life such as exams, term papers or a family members birthday. The device is user-friendly and inexpensive and I can imagine even more sophisticated devices of this kind will soon be in the marketplace.