Though known as a journalist and public speaker through her former platform as host of CNBC’s personal finance show, On the Money, and contributor to publications such as Glamour, Latina, Essence and Men’s Health, Carmen Wong Ulrich describes herself as “a glorified teacher” since she has served as an instructor for years. Last fall, Ulrich joined the faculty of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University as an assistant professor of finance and risk engineering.
“It’s my favorite thing in the world to do—to motivate and to educate people,” says Ulrich. “They leave the room, hopefully, happier and fuller.”
Despite her status as a media personality, Ulrich reveals that she decided she wanted a career in academia “probably when I was a kid. I’m not someone who necessarily believes in retiring or having one career,” she says. In the course she is heading at NYU-Poly on behavioral economics for engineering students, Ulrich is able to tap into her expertise in personal finance—she authored Generation Debt: Take Control of Your Money — A How-to Guide in 2006 and The Real Cost of Living: Making the Best Decisions for You, Your Life and Your Money in 2010.
“Part of the reason why I wanted to be in a school of engineering [and] not in an M.B.A. program or business school is because engineers really respect the human element in anything that they do,” explains Ulrich. “They are aware of the reality of human beings and how we interact with everything—from computer engineers to mechanical engineers to finance engineers. That human element is real, and it’s respected.
“I love that they don’t have a ton of background in humanities or economics or in behavior,” she continues, “but they are so open to learning so much more. And I learn a lot from them, their fields and what they are doing. So I am just thrilled by our mutual enthusiasm.”
Dr. Charles Tapiero, the Morton L. Topfer chair and distinguished professor of financial engineering and technology management at NYU-Poly, aided in recruiting Ulrich because, he says, she offers a unique quality. “She contributes to the orientation of financial engineering programs that seek to bridge theory and practice,” he says.
