Ivan Ceballos

Why did you choose to attend UC Merced?  

I chose to attend UC Merced because it provided me the opportunity to be the first person in my family to attend higher education action at little to no cost for me at the time. Coming from a lower socioeconomic household it made the most financial sense for me and my family.

Why did you major in MBE or ECON?  

This may or may not be a common answer, but I was always interested in different aspects of finance. I knew that I would like to work at a large financial firm.

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

The faculty at UCM is of the best caliber. I learned so much from my professors and built relationships with them that I will forever cherish.

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

I must be honest and credit this iconic trio for the lasting impression they have left in my academic journey at UCM, and that is: Professor Jesus Sandoval-Hernandez, Professor Jason Lee, and Professor Justin Hicks

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

I participated in several of UCM offerings like Investment club, Marketing club, Micro finance project and Delta sigma Pi professional Co-ed fraternity just to name a few. These clubs and organizations gave me not only real word experience to apply some of our coursework knowledge but also got me out of my introverted comfort zone.

Do you have any fond or meaningful memories from UC Merced?  

Some of my fondest memories during my time at UCM would have to be on some of the dinners I was able to partake in with my professors and truly get to know them on a more personable level. Also when the micro finance project received the University Friends Circle Community Service Award.

What has your career journey been like since graduating?  

My career since graduating UCM has been a long and rewarding journey navigating corporate life and leadership. Some days are always better than others, but I know that I have grown and matured so much that I now lead my own team.

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

I have been and grown in the same role since I joined the firm on our Listed Derivatives Middle Office team in the Global Banking and Markets division. I cover over 20 futures exchanges from around the world. We are responsible for the timely clearing and allocation of millions of client and institutional investor listed derivatives trades. From the early morning to the late afternoon we deal with daily exchange deadlines to provide our clients with the best service.

How did your MBE/ECON degree help prepare you for your career?  

The coursework that is taught at UCM really helps build a strong foundation to the knowledge that is useful when entering finance and corporate America.

What do you enjoy most about your job or industry?  

The endless opportunity that is provided in fostering your career growth. I enjoy the very intelligent people I lead and work along side with as well as the constant learning that is required.

Anything you wish you’d done differently in college to prepare for your career?  

I wish I pushed myself even more to join more clubs to foster more connections and meaningful relationships. While some people over emphasize fun, I wish I found a better balance for myself as I was always worried about my grades and work.

What advice would you give incoming UC Merced students?  

GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! I cannot stress this enough. Get used to it now in college because when you enter the workforce that is the way to progress your career and learn more about yourself than you would've otherwise.

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

Be self aware - no one is perfect. The more you can double down and play to your strengths while simultaneously improving on your weaknesses you are surely on your way to become an ideal candidate companies are looking for.

If you could talk to your college self, what would you say?  

Don't take an extra shift if you can spare it to go out to a new social setting. Don't be afraid to ask a classmate to form a study group. Connect with your professors. The days are long but the semesters are short - study hard but have fun in this short, meaningful college experience.

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

Strive to constantly learn. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Lastly, only YOU can be your own advocate when it comes to your career - do your best to be seen and recognized for all your accomplishments.