On January 24, Delbarton seniors in Dennis Oussenko's '17 AP Macroeconomics course, and Patrick Cummings' '18 Mathematical Business and Finance elective (which applies business concepts to consumer, employee, investor, and managerial sectors) took a field trip to Fiserv headquarters in Berkeley Heights. Alumni Teaching Fellow Jerome Jabbour '20 accompanied the group, making this the trifecta of alumni chaperones.

During the immersive daylong program, our young men learned about one of the world's premier fintech companies while interacting with experts in operations, cybersecurity, AI, and mobile banking. They were introduced to Clover, Fiserv’s Small Business Point of Service (POS) system, and discovered how Fiserv streamlines business operations and improves customer experiences. Senior Lorenzo Petrucci ’25 says, “The Fiserv trip was a great experience that gave us much insight into the fintech realm of business and finance. It was extraordinarily detailed and gave us valuable advice on succeeding.”  

Another participant Nicholas Poliseno ’25 reports, “Learning about the day-to-day workings of a Fortune-500 company was nothing short of enthralling. Whether it was learning about the importance of the cyber-security team or Clover’s software, Fiserv opened my eyes to the world that lies beyond our digital screens.”

Since its founding in 1984, Fiserv has revolutionized the process of modern financial transactions, and Delbarton seniors appreciated discovering the innovation and systems it takes to seamlessly execute financial transactions around the world. A constantly updating graphic displaying the day’s transactions vividly demonstrated company’s global reach. Petrucci says, “Now, every time I scan my credit card, I think of how the purchase is most likely going through Fiserv.”

In one memorable breakout session, Fiserv Chief Operating Officer Guy Chiarello offered our young men insightful career advice on the importance of working hard to earn a spot in the top 10% -- someone who ultimately makes decisions rather than a person who merely follows them.  

Chiarello also spoke about the optimum qualities of a good employee – solid work ethic, inquisitiveness and finding the right balance between humility and confidence. Confidence is good, cockiness not so much. Poliseno says, “The lessons and stories shared in our discussion with Guy Chiarello were some that I will remember for years to come.”

Interacting with fintech professionals gave Delbarton students a new perspective on both Fiserv's business model and the complex workings of a Fortune 500 company. They also appreciated the warm welcome of everyone they met during their visit. “Mr. Chairello related to us on a personal level,” Poliseno says. “He took the time to learn our names and to give us through, meaningful answers. His hospitality and generosity in sharing personal stories gave our field trip a dose of authenticity and life-long values.”

Oussenko says, "We are grateful to FiServ and their team for extending such a warm welcome to us -- our students were elated to share in robust discussions on cutting-edge applications of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. The world and its possibilities are wider after today in our boys' eyes, making the trip well worth it." 

(Photos: Courtesy of Fiserv)