Kean Senior Juggles Roles as Bank Branch Manager and Student

Kean senior Muskan Chauhan has spent the past four years balancing two full-time roles — as a business major at Kean and a bank employee at Santander Bank, where she was recently promoted to branch manager. 

Chauhan, 23, of Sayreville, became a Santander branch manager at 22 when she earned the position in the fall. She will graduate on May 13 with a degree in business finance and a minor in economics. 

“Being a full-time student and a full-time employee can be stressful at times,” said Chauhan, who is branch manager in Old Bridge. “The help and understanding I have received from my professors at Kean, and the trust and faith that have been instilled in me by my district managers at Santander, are unmatched. My career would not be where it is today without these two institutions.” 

Chauhan, a New Jersey native, chose Kean University after being inspired by her older sister, a 2020 graduate. During her college search, she said Kean stood out and it was the campus where she felt most at home. 

She began as a marketing major but switched to finance because while working at the bank, she became interested in corporate or investment banking.  

After one year as a teller, she underwent more training and sought a promotion to banker. She won top performance awards and was selected for a Santander leadership development program, while taking Kean classes at night and online. 

She was promoted again to branch manager last September. Her work now includes frequent travel to bank headquarters in Boston. 

Chauhan said the key to managing her roles was communication with both her district managers and her professors. The hardest thing, she said, was switching between being a college student and a professional banking manager. 

“At work, I am surrounded by people who are usually significantly older than I am. There is a certain decorum all employees must maintain inside the branch, and I uphold that,” she said “However, at school I am a regular student who is slouching in my chair and attempting to learn to the best of my ability. It has truly been an incredible journey, and I am so thankful for the opportunities I have received.” 

 Assistant Professor of Economics Chen Meng, Ph.D., Chauhan’s advisor at Kean, describes her as a hard-working and successful student, dedicated to fully understanding concepts and completing assignments. 

Meng said the University helped Chauhan achieve “because Kean has an inclusive environment and accommodates students who have a job on the side.” 

“I believe she will be successful and will apply her knowledge and skills to advance her career further in the future,” Meng said. 

Chauhan said her future goals include earning an MBA and landing a career opportunity in corporate finance or investment banking.