Class of 2024: BS Management and Business Economics
Why did you choose to attend UC Merced?
Private School class sizes with public school pricing. Also a diversity of strong programs in case I wanted to change majors.
Why did you major in MBE or ECON?
I spun a wheel and economics seemed interesting enough. Ended up loving it.
What did you enjoy most about the MBE/ECON program at UC Merced?
Strong relationships with professors. The clubs in it. Cool TA’s.
Was there a class or professor that left a lasting impression on you?
The teaching professor goats - Hicks, Lee, Sandoval, Sorenson, also Vilhauer and Seltzer and Ballis.
Did you participate in clubs, social orgs, research, or internships while at UC Merced? How did they shape your experience?
I was a research assistant, a PLUS tutor. I interned for Wells Fargo, I was treasurer for Microfinance and President of Econ club. They all presented their struggles that I learned from.
Do you have any fond or meaningful memories from UC Merced?
Anything related to my unicycle or balloon animals.
What has your career journey been like since graduating?
The tried and true internship led to an entry level pipeline with Wells Fargo.
What do you do in your current role? What’s a typical day like?
“Underwriting” Basically once it’s decided to issue credit to a borrower, renew a credit line, or annual review of a client, or whatever else. I execute it. It’s a lot of documenting every reason under the sun how we’re going to get paid back - think cash flow analysis, collateral claims, tenant analysis if it’s investor real estate, loan covenant analysis, adhering to internal policies, all that fun stuff
How did your MBE/ECON degree help prepare you for your career?
The financial background helped. But also that problem solving mindset teaches you what to look out for.
What do you enjoy most about your job or industry?
The eternal struggle to try and predict the future.
What advice would you give incoming UC Merced students?
Whether you like it or not, Interviews and networking and referencing you may need -means the world favors extroverts. Pretend to be one of you’re not and join one or more orgs, talk to professors and classmates, the whole shebang, recruiters love that stuff.
What advice do you have for current MBE/ECON majors for transitioning to post-college life?
Work is tedious and you may spend a lot of hours doing it but it’s not half as intellectually difficult as college. Y’all will be fine.
