Industry: Financial Services & technology
What they do: Mastercard powers economies and empowers people worldwide. Mastercard delivers a wide range of payment choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible.
Who we spoke with: Matt Holton, senior vice president and WashU alumnus
Can you start by telling us a little about Mastercard and what the company does?
Mastercard is a technology company in the payments industry. We connect consumers, merchants, financial institutions, governments, digital partners, and businesses around the world by enabling electronic payments. At the core, we want every transaction to be secure, simple, smart and accessible.
What is your role at Mastercard, and how does your team contribute to the company’s mission?
As a senior vice president for Mastercard, I lead a data analytics team that brings insights to life. Our focus is making sure those insights are used across the company to help drive informed business decisions.
We have a fantastic track record of hiring at WashU. We find the students to be engaging, intellectually curious, and eager to solve challenging problems. And they do quite well at Mastercard when they start here.– Matt Holton, senior vice president and WashU alumnus
You’re a WashU alumnus—can you share a bit about your personal connection to the university?
I’m a proud WashU graduate. I earned my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from McKelvey School of Engineering, and I enjoyed my time so much that I came back to complete my MBA at Olin Business School. I also serve on the McKelvey Engineering National Council.
How does Mastercard engage with WashU as an institution?
We have a fantastic relationship with WashU that spans recruitment, thought leadership and innovation. Recruitment is really our North Star—we do our best to attract and hire WashU’s top talent. Beyond that, we engage with students in lots of ways: case competitions, coffee chats, information sessions, and alumni panels, both in and out of the classroom.
Why does Mastercard hire WashU graduates and what qualities stand out in them?
WashU students are engaging, intellectually curious, and they tend to hit the ground running once they join us. Anecdotally, I can say they do very well at Mastercard, and some of our top leaders are WashU alumni.
What do you look for in early-career talent, and what kinds of roles are available for new graduates?
We look for people who are intellectually curious, who learn quickly, and who can apply their skills in a dynamic environment. Mastercard hires across a wide range of roles—everything from business-oriented functions to highly technical positions.
How can students connect with Mastercard before graduation to explore opportunities?
The best ways are through career fairs and the information sessions we host on campus. Those are great chances to meet our team, learn more about the work we do, and start building a connection with us. You can also learn more about jobs for students at Mastercard through our website.