Q&A with Mike Tarulli, Partner and Global Head of Aerospace, Defense, and Government Services for Global Banking & Markets

Mike Tarulli initially joined Goldman Sachs in 2006 as an associate in the securities division. He left the firm in 2009 to pursue his MBA, and again in 2023 to pursue another professional opportunity. During his collective three years away, Mike was drawn back each time by the strength of the GS culture, ultimately leading him to rejoin the firm in 2024 as global head of Aerospace, Defense, and Government Services for Global Banking & Markets.   

 

Tell us about the first time you worked at GS in 2006. What were you focused on, how long were you here and what was your experience like?

I joined the firm in 2006 as an associate in the securities division. During that initial period, I was mostly focused on proving myself in my seat. Once I started to feel comfortable, I began exploring other corners of the firm to get a sense of whether there were other businesses and seats within the company that might be a better long-term fit for me. What I found then, and has been consistent throughout my entire career here, is that people are always willing to spend 20 minutes talking about their role and journey through GS. Those conversations helped me realize that banking was a better long-term fit for me. People also weren’t shy with advice, which ultimately guided me to leave the firm to go to business school.

You left in 2009 to pursue your MBA at NYU Stern before returning to the firm in 2011. What led you to this decision and how was your second round at the firm different from the first? 

I had an amazing experience working in the securities division but was ready to take the next step in my career and wanted to transition into investment banking. I realized that the most efficient path to move from my current role into banking was to pursue my MBA and reenter the company through the MBA recruiting process. So, I made the very difficult decision to resign from the firm to pursue my MBA at NYU Stern.

I loved GS, and it was very difficult for me to leave. Ultimately, my goal was to return to the firm, but I would have to go through the recruiting and interview process again and knew there was no guarantee that I would survive the gauntlet another time. I focused my efforts on GS but applied and interviewed with all the large and small investment banks – it was really the first time I had an opportunity to learn about, meet with, and compare the banks and what I realized through that process was that GS was still the right choice and long-term home for me.

When I received an offer to join the industrials group as a summer intern the decision to return to the firm was very easy.

After 12 years back at GS from 2011 to 2023, you left for another opportunity. How did the firm prepare  you for that endeavor and how did you leverage your GS network during your time away? 

I owe much of my professional and personal development to my career at GS. While this has not been my only job, it is the one that has defined my career and me as a person the most. As many of us know firsthand, the firm does a great job of developing people and pushing us beyond our comfort zones. It was those types of boundary-pushing experiences that accelerated my development and gave me the confidence to go and try something else outside GS.

You have now been back at the firm for 14 months after a year away. How did you decide to return and what excites you most about being back?

I enjoyed my time away – I really valued the experience and have no regrets, but deep down I always knew and felt like GS was home. I learned a lot during the year I spent outside the firm, and after 14 years at 200W it was helpful to get some perspective away from the building. What I realized very quickly is that GS is a special place and not something that can be easily replicated.

What advice do you have for our alumni who are considering returning to the firm? 

Be open to having a conversation – it’s very easy to walk away and assume the door has closed behind you. Even if you don’t think you will ultimately return, the conversations are helpful if only to preserve your network.