Inspiration: Alois Monger

By Elizabeth Macanufo 

March 2011

Alois Monger turned up the volume for "Empire State of Mind" while driving to work one day last summer. The music blaring in the background, his cell phone rang. Monger answered and began speaking to his mentor, a Bank of America managing director. 

Several months prior, Monger applied for the Bank of America Merrill Lynch MBA Investment Banking Diversity Fellowship Program.  According to Kusawn Carr, Bank of America Vice President & Diversity Campus Talent Manager, Monger competed with over 100 applicants for four fellowships. After several rounds of review, the selection committee cut the competitors in half, then made an additional cut. The decision makers, led by the head of the investment banking division, included Monger in a group of 22 prospects for a final round of live interviews in New York City.

Preparing for a dinner followed by five rounds of interviews, Monger determined to separate himself from the competition. "I made sure to address the technical questions, but I made sure to make a connection," he says. Monger highlighted his passion for investments adding to the economic values of African communities. He had first-hand knowledge how important his vision was for the troubled continent.

Growing up in war plagued Liberia, Monger graduated at the top of his high school class. Focusing on his school work while rockets sailed overhead, he studied by candlelight. His positive outlook paved the way for his achievements. "I had an unflappable approach and a perseverance mindset," he remembers. His mother, who lived in Minnesota, mailed her son college applications. Almost out of his teens, Monger spent time at the US Information Service (USIS) Library studying for the SAT and completing the applications.

At 20 years old, Monger entered Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Pitching for $1million financing for a business plan to executive vice presidents at local commercial banks sparked his passion for banking. Following college, Monger worked at Target Corporation as an auditor, receiving five promotions in eight years. The newly naturalized U.S. citizen considered how he could use his business experience to bring positive change to his home country. An MBA, he hoped, would help him achieve his goal.

Determined to transition into banking and ultimately become a principal, Monger sought a business school to match his career aspirations. While visiting schools, Monger asked himself, "Which students would I want to take home to meet my mom? Who can I see myself being friends with down the line?" New York University's Stern School of Business embodied those characteristics for Monger.

Narrowing his list of potential employers, Monger focused on Bank of America. Aware of the bank's work in emerging markets and their position as a global institution, Bank of America became Monger's top target employer.