Ryan O’Sullivan

A transfer student from Northeastern University, Ryan originally came to BU to major in psychology on a pre-med track. Once he discovered Questrom, his plans changed.

“Studying business at Questrom stood out to me because of one keyword—potential. There are countless subjects to study and networking opportunities at the school, not to mention the directions my life could take post-graduation. I saw Questrom as the place that could prepare me for all the potential the business world has in store for me.”

So far, the BSBA program has lived up to his expectations. The classmates he’s met and the strong network he’s already built have been a highlight. “Business school can be intimidating and imposter syndrome is real, and sometimes you can get caught up in the stress of schoolwork and your future. But that’s when my Questrom friends remind me that we’re in it together. We all chose to study business for some shared reason, and just like the stock market, our academic careers and lives are full of ups and downs. I’m grateful for all the teamwork exposure I’ve gotten through my time at Questrom and the lifelong friends I’ve made along the way.”

Ryan says this same bond extends to his professors. “Business is all about people, working with them and learning from them. I can confidently say I’ve had professors who genuinely care about my wellbeing, learning, and future. I’m confident I could reach out to them years in the future to reconnect.”

Another highlight for Ryan was his Core team project—a requirement for all Questrom students. His team’s entry was named a semi-finalist against 80 other college teams for the 2022 Core Challenge sponsored by TJX Companies.

Ryan, a graduate of the Boston Latin School, is the recipient of the Boston Public Schools Community Service Scholarship, which means he must volunteer a certain number of hours during his time at BU. But this commitment doesn’t feel like a burden to Ryan. In fact, because of it he’s thinks someday he’ll work on social issues like homelessness, affordable housing, and equal opportunity in cities across America.

“Volunteering has positively impacted my quality of life greatly,” Ryan says. “There’s something so rewarding about engaging with your community and helping individuals and organizations with your time and energy, knowing you’re doing something good for others. It’s also a great way to explore parts of Boston you might not have otherwise seen, and volunteering is a great resume builder.”

“Volunteering has positively impacted my quality of life greatly. There’s something so rewarding about engaging with your community and helping individuals and organizations.”

– Ryan O’Sullivan