Joshua Jones

Why did you choose to attend UC Merced?  

I’m from Elk Grove, so I wanted a school close enough to visit home occasionally, but far enough away to be independent and live on my own. UC Merced offered exactly that and more. I loved the idea of a more intimate college experience, where I wouldn’t get lost in the crowd and could easily connect with people. That environment made it easy to build meaningful relationships with classmates, professors, and staff.

I enjoyed my time at UC Merced so much that I convinced my younger brother to enroll two years later. Sharing the college experience with him was incredibly special. To this day, I tell everyone attending UC Merced was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Why did you major in MBE or ECON?  

I chose to major in Management and Business Economics during the spring semester of my freshman year. I had entered UC Merced as a political science major, and I initially took an economics course just to fulfill a badge requirement. But after taking Introduction to Economics (ECON 001) and Introduction to Business and Finance (ECON 005), I was completely sold. My professors, especially Professor Lee, Professor Harris and Professor Hicks were passionate, engaging, and always willing to help when I didn’t understand a concept. At that point, I wasn’t entirely sure what career path I wanted to pursue, but I knew I wanted to keep learning from and being around the inspiring professors in this major.

Was there a class or professor that left a lasting impression on you?  

My ECON 001 professor, Professor Lee, completely changed the course of my college journey. He’s the reason I fell in love with economics and switched my major from political science to Management and Business Economics. Early in the semester, I visited him during office hours, and we built a great rapport. Over time, he became a mentor, guiding me through academic decisions, career planning, and life in general.

One moment that stands out is when the Federal Reserve came to recruit at UC Merced. I had missed the deadline for an on-campus interview, but Professor Lee spoke to one of the recruiters on my behalf and helped me secure an interview. That opportunity ultimately shaped my career path.

I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done for me. I even invited him to my graduation party and he came! How many professors would do that? At this point, he feels more like family than just a former professor."

What do you do in your current role?

I’m an Associate Examiner with the Federal Reserve, a role I began in July 2022, just a few months after graduating. While many people associate the Fed with monetary policy, like setting interest rates, it also plays a critical role as a regulator for financial institutions. I work in bank supervision, focusing on consumer compliance. Our mission is to ensure that banks follow consumer protection laws and uphold the Community Reinvestment Act, which encourages them to meet the credit needs of the communities they serve. In short, I help make sure financial institutions operate fairly, ethically, and in ways that benefit their communities."

What skills or habits have helped you the most in your career?

Careful reading and evidence-based thinking. In consumer compliance, every conclusion has to stand on a citation. I make a habit of reading regulations, guidance, and bank policies line by line. That rigor keeps opinions out, strengthens our findings.

What advice would you give incoming UC Merced students?

Take full advantage of the Career Center. It’s one of the most valuable resources on campus. I visited often to get my resume tailored and to prepare for interviews, and it made a huge difference in my confidence and opportunities. The staff can help you identify areas to strengthen in your applications and guide you toward presenting your best self. Also don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back from employers right away. The job search can be a numbers game. Sometimes you might apply to a hundred positions before you hear back from one. Keep applying, keep improving your materials, and stay persistent. Every application is practice, and persistence will pay off.

What advice do you have for current MBE/ECON majors for transitioning to post-college life?  

Remain strong, remain focused, and be intentional about your journey. College is a rare opportunity—yes, enjoy the experience, but also take it seriously. Reflect on your skills, strengths, and experiences, and think critically about how you can leverage them to create opportunities for yourself. When you approach internships, jobs, or other opportunities, remember that you’re not just being evaluated, you’re also evaluating them too. Ask yourself, ‘Would this environment allow me to grow, thrive, and do meaningful work?’ Sometimes the answer will be yes, sometimes no. Either way, never sell yourself short. Know your value, own it, and choose paths that align with your goals and well-being.