October Alumni Career Profile

Name: John A. Cogswell            
                                                                        
Class Year: 1988

Major:  Management Science

Current Employer: National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)

Describe your career path since graduation.
1988 - 1992: Production & Inventory Control Planner, Standard Thomson Corporation. 1992 - Present: National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), Boston District Office Staff. Examine broker/dealers in the securities industry.

What is your current position and how long have you been with your employer?  
Assistant Director of Human 
Current Position: Supervisor of Examiners
Time In Service: Approximately 12 years

Describe the main responsibilities of your position.
Supervise regulatory work and programs.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Constant challenges to learn and to manage people and programs.  To efficiently promote the confidence of investors and the integrity of financial markets.

What do you find most challenging about your job?
Accomplishing competing objectives that are subject to varying constraints including scarcity of resources.  Promoting the motivation, learning and development of others consistent with abilities to accomplish goals.  Consistently and clearly setting expectations through effective but varying approaches to communication.

Describe your typical work week.  (How many hours you work, your work environment)
It varies between 45-65 hours based on varying and unpredictable business needs/responsibilities. Expectation for high productivity, multi-tasking multiple complex projects/assignments concurrently and under tight deadlines. Extended hours frequently required.

What job search methods did you use to obtain your current position? 
 I was referred to NASD by a former BSC student who took classes with me in 1987.  Editor's Note:  This is a great example of networking!

What advice could you give to students interested in your field?
If interested in securities regulation or similar work, I suggest that you, to supplement a standard business degree curriculum, self-educate by reading extensively about the Securities Acts, Self-Regulatory Organizations, and Markets. Visit the Web Sites of www.nasd.com www.nyse.com www.sec.gov

Last Modified: October 3, 2005