Robiye Hernandez

Why did you choose to attend UC Merced?

I grew up in Madera, just about 30 miles from UC Merced, so staying close to home was really important to me. I had also been accepted to UC Santa Cruz, but when I compared my options, UC Merced just made the most sense. What really sealed the deal was the generous financial aid package I received.  It covered both tuition and housing, which basically meant I could get a top-notch UC education for free. That made it a no-brainer to choose UC Merced. I would be getting a great education without worrying about student debt.  So choosing UC Merced meant I could graduate from a great school without loans hanging over me and as my friends know, I hate being in debt.

Why did you major in MBE or ECON? 

In high school, I was really interested in pursuing a career in finance, but my school didn’t offer any finance or business courses. When I got to UC Merced, I looked for a major that would best prepare me for my goal of becoming an investment banker. The Management and Business Economics program stood out because it combined business concepts with a strong quantitative foundation. I knew that background would make me competitive in the finance industry and give me the skills I needed for my career.

What did you enjoy most about the MBE/ECON program at UC Merced?

I really enjoyed the wide variety of challenging courses the program offered. Even though the classes were rigorous, the smaller class sizes meant that professors actually got to know me and I could get help whenever I needed it. Another thing I loved was the community among students in the major.  Everyone was friendly and willing to help each other succeed. That kind of supportive environment wasn’t something I expected at a UC, and it made a big difference in my experience.

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

Absolutely. Professor Jason Lee is someone I’ll never forget. I first met him in ECON 001 during my first year at UC Merced. At the time, I was incredibly quiet. I didn’t have the confidence to speak up in class or approach a professor outside of it. As a first-generation college student, I was still trying to figure things out and wasn’t sure where I belonged. Even so, I worked hard in that class and ended up being the top student. What surprised me most was that Professor Lee noticed. I had never introduced myself or spoken to him directly, but he reached out to me. At the end of the year, he offered me a position as a course reader. That simple gesture meant the world to me. It showed me that if I stayed committed and put in the effort, people would pay attention. From that moment on, he believed in me before I fully believed in myself. He referred me for an internship at Alpha Wave Global during my first year, which was a rare opportunity for someone just getting started in college. He pushed me to aim higher and supported me every step of the way, from helping me build confidence to guiding me through the professional world of finance. He introduced me to people, looked over my materials, and kept encouraging me to go after goals that once felt out of reach. Over time, he became more than just a mentor. He became one of my closest friends. That kind of relationship is rare. It’s not something you find at most universities. His mentorship is one of the biggest reasons I landed a job at Bank of America and am now starting my full-time career in investment banking. I’m grateful not just for what he taught me in the classroom, but for how much he’s shaped the direction of my life.

Did you participate in clubs, social orgs, research, or internships while at UC Merced? How did they shape your experience?  

When I first got to UC Merced, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t come from a finance background, and as a first-generation college student, breaking into such a competitive industry felt out of reach. But joining the UC Investments Academy completely changed my path. The Academy gave me hands-on training in financial modeling, valuation, and investment analysis. These were the same tools used by professionals at some of the top firms in the world. Just as importantly, it connected me with mentors, professors, and industry professionals who helped guide me and build my confidence. What really stood out to me was how practical and career-focused the program was. It felt like real-world preparation, not just theory from a textbook. Thanks to that experience, I landed an internship as a Summer Analyst at Alpha Wave Global, where I worked on valuing a European luxury company using models we built from the ground up. The following summer, I interned at Bank of America in their Global Investment Banking division in New York. By the end of that internship, I received a full-time offer. Looking back, I can honestly say the UC Investments Academy changed my life. It gave me the skills, the exposure, and the belief that I could succeed in finance. I left UC Merced with a full-time role at Bank of America and a deep appreciation for all the support at UC Merced that helped me get there.

What do you do in your current role? What’s a typical day like?  

I work at Bank of America helping companies make big financial decisions. Sometimes that means helping a company raise money by selling bonds or new shares of stock. Other times, it’s helping a company buy another company. We guide them through that process and give advice on whether it’s a smart move. Most of my days are spent researching companies, working with spreadsheets to run numbers, and creating presentations for clients. It’s fast-paced and keeps me on my toes, and I like that the work I do helps companies make decisions that can really shape their future.