Associate, Marketing & Research
In DSJ’s company culture of hard work and integrity, Associate Tom Long certainly fits right in. But when it comes to everything else in life, he’d prefer to stand out.
“I feel like everyone has turned into sheep lately. Following the masses. Orthodox thinkers. If you conform, how do you differentiate yourself from the pack?”
So, how does Tom differentiate himself from the pack? “I question everything and don’t trust easily,” he says. “Believe none of what I hear and half of what I see.”
This distinctly calculated mindset is the foundation that has molded Tom into the driven and determined guy he is today.
“What do I do in my free time? Work!” he jokes, but there is some truth to it. Tom is often one of the first staff members in the door in the morning and one of the last ones out each day. And though he says he’s not a perfectionist, he does admit: “I’m not satisfied if I feel I’m not reaching my potential. Any inaction kinda just drives me more.”
The best part of the job, for Tom, is that: “it’s not just crunching numbers… within marketing, there’s some actual human interaction and I get to pick people’s minds, see what they engage with… I enjoy getting to learn because knowledge is power.”
Always offering to assist or put in extra hours to see a project to completion—it’s a wonder where he gets his energy and relentless willingness to help out across the Firm.
Tom says it’s because he knows what it’s like to be on both sides of the ball.
Growing up with both parents working full time, Tom found himself taking on major responsibility and leadership within his family from a young age. With a father who worked his way through the ranks in his career – from warehouse worker to manager – Tom was inspired to mimic his father’s drive. “Driven is the biggest word for me. It kinda falls in line with my favorite quote: Carpe Diem. Seize the day because tomorrow’s not guaranteed. I get up, get after it, and embrace my life.”
Carpe Diem is a lifestyle Tom learned from his role model: his friend Vin. Without him, Tom says, “I wouldn’t be nearly close to where I am today.” After Vin lost his battle with cancer in high school, Tom altered his outlook on life, but for the better. “It’s a blessing in disguise that he found a way to impact me when he wasn’t around,” he says.
Now, having just graduated from Long Island University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing, Tom looks to keep seizing opportunities and living his life with no regrets. “I don’t know what the future holds for me, but at the end of the day, I want to become the best version of myself.”
Something few people know about Tom? While he’s a marketing-savvy professional, he’s equally as skilled when it comes to working with his hands and fixing up cars. “My dad taught me growing up how to be mechanical… as a side hustle we would rebuild cars and flip them.”
But for the most part, when he isn’t hard at work, Tom can be found spending time with his girlfriend, Toni, in their new apartment.
“I’m proud that I made it to this point in my life and I’m more proud of the matter that I’ve done it in. I may not have always come off as being the nicest guy, but I’ve always done the right thing, whether it benefits me or somebody else… because there’s definitely karma in the world… whether you realize it or not.”
Get to know my favorite…
- Book: 1984 by George Orwell
- Movie: Back to the Future (1985)
- TV Show: Sopranos is pretty top-tier
- Song: “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep
- Singer: 50 Cent, Led Zeppelin
- Music Genre: I can listen to anything from country to classic rock
- Color: Blue
- Food: Anything Italian
- Sports: Basketball: Portland Trailblazers, Baseball: Yankees, Football: Giants, Hockey: Rangers