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Melvin

Derek Melvin '01 led the Upper School's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Chapel on January 17, offering wisdom from his career and his life.

Melvin is a managing director at a financial services firm in New York City, where he has worked since graduating from Harvard University in 2005. He also earned an MBA from Columbia University. At Norfolk Academy, he thrived as a student-athlete. He served on the Tunstall Student Council and was named a most valuable teammate in the wrestling program. He currently serves on NA's Board of Trustees. 

Melvin was an ambitious Harvard student, who had recently worked at an unpaid internship, when he overheard a conversation among students in the dining hall about an internship in investment banking that paid quite well. It piqued his interest: He researched the field, then sent off scores of applications. He landed an internship with a financial service in New York City. That led to a job and he worked his way up to the highest position at the firm. Tip one: “Never skip a meal in the dining hall."

Melvin's career has been a dream, but it has also opened avenues for him to serve. He has used connections to get involved with New York's public education system and civic engagements that allow him to help his community. He also conceived a program that increases diversity in investment banking. Tip two: “You don't need to get all your joy from your job."

By the time he reached his 30s, Melvin thought he was thriving. That's when a new boss bluntly told him his co-workers didn't have as great an impression of him. Rather than taking the words as a slap in the face, Melvin committed himself to changing his co-workers' perception. He came into work earlier and left later. He listened more when they talked. Tip three: “Make sure you know how you are perceived."

Melvin's final note related to Dr. King and his messages. Melvin said that he has benefitted in his career from people who, a generation ago would not have worked in the financial world because of their minority status. “Diversity of our life experiences makes us better people," he said.

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