Class of 2018: BS Management and Business Economics
Was there a class or professor that left a lasting impression on you?
What made UC Merced truly special was the unparalleled access to faculty. All of my professors were mentors to me. They not only knew me by name but made time for 1:1 conversations, offered guidance, and genuinely cared about my growth. Whether it was staying after class to help me grasp a concept or offering career advice, they showed up for me in ways that shaped who I am today. Professor Jason Lee’s macro and microeconomics classes made complex topics approachable with handwritten lectures we could follow step by step. Professor Kurt Schnier’s Environmental Economics course pushed me to think critically, while Professor Justin Hicks’ statistics class helped me build analytical confidence. But it was Professor Mark Harris who had the most profound impact. His classes were unlike any others—conversational, grounded in real-world business challenges, and always empowering. He helped me find my voice in the classroom, instilled confidence in my ideas, and lit a fire within me to chase big goals and never settle. He helped me believe that I could be successful while staying true to my most authentic self. The professors at UC Merced weren’t just educators—they were advocates, coaches, and mentors. I’m grateful for their guidance, and those relationships continue to inspire me today.
Do you have any fond or meaningful memories from UC Merced?
Absolutely. I met a couple of my closest friends at UC Merced—we went to class together, studied late into the night, and applied to jobs side by side. Some of the best memories were the simple moments: hanging out on campus, grabbing lunch between classes, and just enjoying the rhythm of being a student. We spent so much time wondering where we’d all end up two, five, or ten years from then. That shared curiosity and excitement for the unknown was special. I also really loved the town of Merced. Quickley’s was my go-to spot for late-night snacks—the chicken wings and teriyaki bowls especially, back when we only had one food hall. It was a tight-knit, humble college environment, and I appreciated the slower pace and quiet moments that came with it. Looking back, I didn’t realize how much I would love and miss all of it—the friendships, the campus life, and that sense of possibility we all felt as students. It’s something I’ll always carry with me.
What has your career journey been like since graduating?
I began at Goldman Sachs in Equities Execution Client Services, managing global trade allocations during the height of the pandemic. It was a fast-paced, high-stakes environment that taught me how to prioritize under pressure, resolve trade breaks, and deliver white-glove service to institutional clients—skills that laid a strong foundation for my client service approach. Motivated to return to San Francisco to support my family and pursue a more client-facing path, I joined Silicon Valley Bank, where I hoped to deepen my understanding of portfolio trading while earning my FINRA licenses. However, soon after I started, the acquisition of Boston Private shifted my role toward back-office onboarding. While it wasn’t the original plan, I gained valuable exposure to operational infrastructure and end-to-end client onboarding processes. I then joined TIAA as a Financial Consultant, where I helped nonprofit employees with retirement planning and income strategies. This is where I truly developed my sales skills, learned to ask the right questions, and built confidence in leading client conversations. That experience made me realize I wanted to operate at a larger scale, working with more complex investment strategies and broader teams. That clarity led me to BlackRock, where I now serve as an SMA Specialist within the U.S. Wealth Advisory Sales team. I partner with financial advisors to deliver highly customized investment solutions—including direct indexing, options overlays, and active SMAs—for ultra-high-net-worth clients. My market teams and I manage the full sales lifecycle and pipeline, oversee regional territory coverage, and engage cross-functional partners—such as portfolio managers and investment strategists—when appropriate. The role blends technical expertise, strategic sales execution, and high-touch client service—exactly what I’ve been working toward throughout my career.
What do you do in your current role? What’s a typical day like?
In my current role as an SMA (Separately Managed Account) Specialist within BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Sales department, I partner closely with financial advisors across my assigned territory to deliver highly customized investment solutions for ultra-high-net-worth clients. I support regional market teams daily, joining advisor and client calls, and assessing whether our offerings—such as direct indexing, options overlays, and actively managed fixed income and equity SMAs—align with client goals. Given the exception-based nature of SMAs, each case is nuanced, requiring thoughtful coordination and a hands-on approach. I serve as the primary point of contact throughout the sales lifecycle, bringing in portfolio managers, investment strategists, and operational partners when needed to ensure the right expertise is at the table. My role demands cross-functional collaboration, territory management, and strategic decision-making to ensure each solution is not only tailored and tax-efficient but also executed with precision. I stay closely attuned to market trends and competitor offerings to ensure our value proposition is clearly articulated and differentiated, delivering a seamless, white-glove experience for every client engagement.
What advice would you give incoming UC Merced students?
Have a plan—even if it’s not fully formed yet. Start thinking early about potential career paths, the kind of lifestyle you want after graduation, and the skill sets you’ll need to get there. Ask yourself: Where do I want to live? What industries thrive there? What jobs exist, and what qualifications do they require? How does compensation look? Then reverse-engineer your path to bridge that gap. You’re in college to build a future. Tunnel vision is important—remember, your goal is to land a great job after graduation. Stay focused on setting yourself up for long-term success. You’ll have fun in college, but discipline is key. The four years fly by. If you blink, you’ll wonder where the time went. Prioritize your grades early—your first two years should be spent building a strong academic foundation. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Choose one or two extracurriculars that align with your goals or where you can step into a leadership role. That matters more than loading up your résumé with a long list of activities. By your sophomore summer, aim to land a rotational internship. Junior year internships are critical—many companies start recruiting in August, and those opportunities often lead to full-time offers. Explore your interests early so you don’t miss out. Most importantly, no one is going to map out your career for you. You have to take initiative, seek out high-potential opportunities, and start developing the right skill sets now. The earlier you start thinking about life after college, the more empowered—and prepared—you’ll be when it’s time to make that next move.
