Name: Janos Rizo
Age: 21
Birthday: 8/7/1983
Home country: Hungary
Hobbies: all sports (especially: cycling, soccer, basketball, ice-hockey,
swimming); I collect car magazines, and posters
Major: Finance
Class: JuniorWhat is your source of motivation? My sources of motivation are my family (I want to be able to support my parents when they will need it), the desire to be successful (not necessarily rich, but more like being happy, and being accepted by my environment), and to be able to help everybody else close to me (relatives, friends).
Do you have a favorite quote you would like to share with us? One of my favorite quotes is “If A is a success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X, Y is play, and Z is keeping your mouth shut”. – Einstein
Who would you say is your role model and why? My role model is definitly my father. He was a rebellious teenager; he dropped out of three different universities (doesn’t have a diploma), but he succeeded in building his own business from nothing, and in building a great family. Despite his success his lives in the real world, and he never, ever despises anybody. I’m lucky to be his son.
As the 2004-2005 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Student Government
Association (SGA), how did you become involved in SGA and why? I was lucky, because the position was offered to me in the fall semester, so I
took the chance to get closer to student organizations, and to my fellow
students. I accepted the position to learn something new, gain any type of
experience, and to develop my communicating skills. Moreover, it looks good on the resume.
Tell us a little about SGA, and what can students look forward to from SGA this year? The idea (SGA) is perfect, and students like it. However, it is still in a premature stage, and has less power than it should have. Fortunately, improvements were made this academic year, and we will make even more in the future to represent the student body more efficiently. Members are friendly, and helpful; it is a good community.
What other activities, organizations, or clubs have you been involved with since you have been at UB? I’m not a member of any of the clubs at UB (my fault). I participate in the Business Mentorship Program, organized by the Business School.
Being in a student leadership role, what advice would you give to aspiring
student leaders? Speak up, and whatever happens, do not lose your motivation; do not wait for others to make your job, and using the words of Herm Albright, “A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort”. Be positive, and optimistic.
What advice do you have on managing ones time between school and
extra-curricular activities? To manage your time effectively, you need to know what is important for you. If you have such an order, you will be able to split your time. It is also worthwhile to study on a continuous basis, and work on term-, project papers.
If you had to choose one event/person at UB, that has had a great impact on your life, what/who would it be and why? My statistic professor, Kueun Choi, had a great impact on my attitude to my duties. He has high committment for everything he is doing. He has been working on his own securities trading system for more than 20 years, and he works with the same enthusiasm.