Alumni Takes Unique Approach to Job Search on Wall Street
Sam Rabinowitz, a University of Florida graduate, took an unusual route through Wall Street after submitting over 1,000 job applications. He hoped to take matters into his own hands by walking around with a sign seeking employment.
“I tried everything—LinkedIn, emails, even traditional job searching on Wall Street. I’m looking for an internship or an entry-level position in finance. I’m dedicated, eager, and really ready to work,” Rabinowitz shared from his home in Boca Raton this week.
The idea came to him while lying in bed one day. “I thought, why not carry a sign on Wall Street asking for a job? So, I did it,” he explained.
This stunt, which he pulled off on September 2nd, was prompted by his growing frustration. Since graduating from Florida Atlantic University in May 2022, Rabinowitz had earned his Bachelor of Finance but had struggled to land a job despite applying nationwide.
“I was going for every internship opportunity I could find, even at big names like JP Morgan and Citibank,” he said, adding that his dream role is somehow linked to the stock market.
Reflecting on his feelings during this job hunt, Rabinowitz mentioned, “I often felt fear, anxiety, and a bit of depression over the uncertainty of what was ahead.”
While in New York for a wedding over Labor Day weekend, he decided to take a more direct approach by putting himself right where potential employers could see him.
His method proved effective. Representatives from an IPO firm noticed his sign, engaged him in conversation, and were intrigued by his story.
Recalling the moment, Rabinowitz mentioned, “One of the partners told me someone once gave him a chance, and he saw a great opportunity in my story.” This led to an invitation to the firm’s office, which he described as having everything he ever dreamed of, filled with computer screens and data.
After a promising conversation and interview, Rabinowitz felt optimistic, thinking, “I got this job!” However, he hasn’t heard back, and he declined to disclose the company’s name for fear of jeopardizing the opportunity.
“But I’m confident I’ll land that job,” he declared.
He documented his unique job-seeking journey on Instagram, with videos that have garnered over 250,000 views.
This innovative tactic comes at a time when the U.S. job market has shown signs of weakness, with the Labor Bureau reporting a drop in job additions—22,000 in July, significantly less than expected.
