What is your fondest memory of your time at FSU?

From meeting my closest friends and attending football and basketball games, I have been living my childhood dream of enjoying the great opportunities FSU offers outside of the classroom. From a school standpoint, the fondest memory was becoming president of the Financial Management Association (FMA). It is a tremendous honor to lead such a great group of individuals looking to succeed in the business world. We have had great guest speakers and have been fortunate enough to travel to some great cities. I traveled to the Delta Airlines headquarters in Atlanta to meet with their executives and to New York City for the FMA International Conference. Had it not been for FMA, I would never have experienced those events with the great people around me.

What was the most influential course you have taken at FSU?

So far, Financial Management of the Firm (FIN 3403), which focuses on multiple asset management topics, has had the most impact on me. The course is taught by Dr. Gary Bliss with whom I have had a connection because he has been the faculty advisor for FMA since I was a freshman. He has been a great mentor.

Why did you major in finance?

I feel a degree in finance from FSU can take a student a long way post-graduation. I always wanted to be a business major, but I knew I had to major in finance after I met Ed Shill, president and CEO of QCI Asset Management in Rochester, N.Y., where I interned as an equity analyst. He told me the specifics of his work and I knew I wanted to do what he does. He had majored in finance, so I suppose I am following in his footsteps.

How have your classes changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?

And how have you adapted? All my classes this semester are remote, with one of them being live on Zoom twice a week. I had the option of taking one of my classes in person, but I decided to take it remotely for my health and safety. Learning from the comfort of home has been great. I enjoy planning my daily schedule and organizing when I will be doing my reading, note-taking and studying. All my professors have done a fantastic job of making remote learning as great as possible, but there is nothing like in-person lectures. I enjoy being in the classroom and engaging with my professors and classmates and hope I will safely do that one last time in the spring.

What are your career plans post-graduation?

I have two main plans. The first is to continue studying for and, eventually, taking the first part of the CFA exam. The second is to secure an internship or a job in the asset management field. During my internship at QCI Asset Management, I did research and created reports for the equity team and was able to pitch a stock to the investment team, which that the company purchased. That is the field I love and want to enter. I am excited for any opportunity to accomplish my goal.