Fast Five: From Fashion to Finance, Krista Kalaj ‘25GS Shares Her Nontraditional Path into the World of Business

While many would think the fast-paced world of fashion is enough excitement for a lifetime, Krista Kalaj ‘25GS made the decision to jump from dynamic industry to the next. As a first-generation college student at GS, Kalaj had her mind set on pursuing her interests in business, and now has successfully turned her passions into a full-time career in finance.

What inspired you to pursue finance at GS, and how did your time at Columbia shape that path?

What guided my decision to study finance was the desire to pursue a path that sparked my intellectual curiosity and could serve as a strong foundation for my long-term business pursuits. I figured that refining my financial acumen and analytical skills would complement my client-facing experience from entertainment and open doors in the future to make an impact in the business sectors that resonate with me. 

During my time at GS, I related to and developed relationships with other students who had nontraditional backgrounds and also intended to pursue finance. This definitely was a source of encouragement to make the most of my opportunities and reminded me to focus on my unique trajectory. 

I think that being around a lot of enthusiastic students who were also pursuing different tracks within finance—not just at GS but also at CC and Barnard—deepened my engagement with the subject of capital markets and the broader field of business valuation. Also, having the opportunity to apply insights from my internship in private equity and credit valuations as a teaching assistant for a finance course “Money and Banking” reinforced my interest in financial markets and valuations.

What was it like transitioning from modeling in high school to studying finance in New York?

Modeling in high school was a commitment alongside my studies—I felt a lot of pressure trying to excel in distinct domains. In hindsight, it trained me to handle high-stakes environments and thrive in new and unfamiliar settings. Working with different stakeholders and teams, every job granted me the confidence to socially thrive at Columbia and explore different communities with diverse students.

I was prepared to continue expanding beyond my comfort zone, which encouraged me to build a new foundation in finance and business during my time at Columbia as well as pursue different positions on campus. I would also say that modeling from an early age trained me to develop the professional skills necessary to develop and maintain relationships with executives and creative/operational stakeholders in the entertainment industry, which was transferable to my studies and professional pursuits in finance. 

As a first-generation college graduate, what challenges did you face—and how did you overcome them?

Honestly, I did not realize the challenge that being a first-generation college student posed until my sophomore year. My first year or so, I was mainly trying to adapt to the academic demands and environment at Columbia. I think having a delayed awareness of the timeline students adhere to when it comes to searching for internships, how to navigate professional networking and the career tracks within your industry was a considerable hurdle that I realized and addressed later. 

With time though, I really found that honing in on my unique background and leveraging those experiences towards ambitions that align with the impact I want to have allowed me to forge my own path and successfully obtain business-inclined opportunities. What also helped me thrive was connecting with people within the Columbia community who had more industry knowledge than I did and were able to guide me— including my academic advisor, professors, and other alumni and students. 

What advice would you give to GS students hoping to break into the finance industry?

What my experience taught me is that you should ask yourself (1) what are your long-term goals and (2) what experiences can you leverage in finance? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you understand which sectors within finance are a best fit for you. 

For me, I had a limited understanding of professional paths within finance and business when I first joined Columbia (for example, I was not aware of strategy/consulting and portfolio valuations at first), so developing relationships with other students pursuing a similar path or being consistent with going to networking events is critical, and from there I would say really take initiative to build a resume that positions you as an asset. This can range from taking on leadership positions in clubs and organizations on campus to professional experiences outside of Columbia. 

Now that you’re starting your career at KPMG in Miami, how do you hope to stay connected with the GS community?

I hope to stay connected with the Columbia alumni community, here locally in Miami as well, and to continue sharing my experiences with others. I have really enjoyed speaking with prospective and current Columbia students and guiding them—I want to continue being a resource to nontraditional and first-generation college students seeking guidance on shaping their path or navigating university!