Name:
Mr. Stephen Baird
E-mail address:
stephen.baird@suntrust.com
Education Information
Undergraduate Major:
Speech Communication
Degree Received:
BA
Graduation Year:
1996
Activities, student organizations, leadership roles, etc. in which I was
involved at UT:
Lambda Pi Eta - National Speech Commmunication Honor Society; Orientation leader for incoming
freshman; Multiple offices in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity
Job Information
Employer Name:
SunTrust Bank
Present Job Title:
Corporate Banking Officer
Brief description of my job responsibilities, e.g. a typical week in my job:
I am currently a Relationship Manager
in the Healthcare Finance Group of our Corporate and Investment Banking unit. Typical clients include companies with annual
revenues in excess of $250 million. In sum my position requires extensive knowledge of the dynamics effecting our clients as
well as analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each particular company. A Relationship Manager is the key contact between
the bank and its clients therefore it involves a double-sided sales approach - Effectively communicating with and selling the
client on SunTrust as well as selling SunTrust Risk Management on the strength of the company. Corporate Banking services
include: credit products, treasury management, debt and equity capital markets, investment management, merger and acquisition
advisory, etc.
Suggestions I would give to undergraduate students with regard to courses,
internships, and other means of preparation for my career field:
To use an old cliche' - College is what you make
of it. I would suggest all undergraduates to be as active as possible and incorporate the entire realm of Collegiate life. The
University experience should prepare students both academically and personally for the "real world". Balancing ones life in
and out of the classroom can obviously be a struggle at times, but they are both important. Fraternities and Sororities are
both excellent ways to develop philanthropic, social and business skills. I would also highly suggest an internship with a
quality company to help prepare for post-collegiate life and expectations. ALSO - Travel and enjoy yourself - it broadens the
mind.
My career path in getting to this position:
Following graduation I went to work for an incurance company in the
employee benefits arena. I travelled extensively usually spending several weeks or more at each particular client - obviously
making for a long work schedule. However one key benefit was the extended time off - I usually worked several weeks and then
took a week or more off. I next went to a worldwide risk management company serving in a similar role - with less travel -
before coming to SunTrust.
Other advice for students interested in gaining entry into and pursuing a career
in this field:
I would suggest anyone to take at least some business classes whether or not they know what field
they hope to pursue. A speech communication degree can open the doors to many avenues but a broad background, both
academically and in ones personal life, will broaden the horizons tremendously.
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