Where are you from?
I went to high school in Hudson, N.C., a small town between Hickory and Boone. My family is from Medellin, Colombia, and I was born in Queens, N.Y. I have been living in North Carolina for the majority of my life.
What high school did you attend?
South Caldwell High School, Go Spartans!
Graduation Date:
May 2019
In your opinion, what are the three best things about UNC Charlotte?
- Population: both size and quality of character
- Academics: I love the intellectual challenges, but I’m never overwhelmed because of all the resources around me.
- Opportunities: Most college towns don’t have such a growing city around them.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
The Botanical Gardens, the scenery is beautiful and relaxing. I enjoy reading there between classes.
What is your favorite Charlotte restaurant?
Basil Thai in uptown Charlotte. I’ve never had Thai food until I went here. After my first experience with Thai food, I fell in love.
What is your favorite class that you have taken and why?
My favorite class so far has been INFO 2130 for a variety of reasons. INFO 2130 is Microsoft Excel for Business. This class was more than just learning the technical aspects of Microsoft Excel. We learned the potential of information technologies to help businesses. I was able to use the concepts I learned in this course to create an information database for the Jamil Niner Student Pantry on campus. I also use it in my own personal life to organize and plan for my finances, academics, and career ambitions. This course opened many doors for me as well. I obtained an on-campus position my freshman year, group tutoring this course and eventually other courses as well. I obtained an internship with Merrill Lynch, where I'm able to organize and execute projects using Excel and other information systems I have been able to learn quickly, all because of INFO 2130! My advice for students taking INFO 2130 is to not memorize, but to try and understand the underlying concepts of and functions of the Excel tools.
Tell us three random things about yourself.
- I love to skateboard. It’s a highly entrepreneurial sport that involves calculating risks and executing on them.
- I plan on studying abroad the spring of 2018 in France.
- My birthday is on Halloween, which is also my favorite holiday!
What majors did you pursue and why?
I pursued a double major in International Business and Finance. I am pursuing these majors because of the differences I will be able to make on a global scale. I believe business has amazing potential to make positive impacts on people and communities all over the world. Finance is a lot like the engineering of business. Think of how complex engineering can be, for example, there are thousands of parts to building a plane. At first glance it doesn’t seem like this huge metal structure will fly, but it does! Finance is about inventions that help fulfill people’s ambitions.
Why did you choose the Belk College of Business?
I chose the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte for a number of reasons. Student life at UNC Charlotte is phenomenal; there are over 400 student organizations, each with unique purposes. I figured I would find individuals with similar interest and aspirations. The culture here is another reason I decided to choose the Belk College of Business. As a fan of finance, I find myself at home in one of the nation’s largest financial cities. The liberal arts education has been surprisingly beneficial as well. I took algebra-based physics my first semester here and even in my junior-level business classes it helps me see the causation connections.
What activities are you involved in when not working/studying?
I am the Consultant for the Investment Club at UNC Charlotte. Last year, I was Secretary and Vice President of Recruiting. This student organization is all about teaching students how to invest, a task that is essential to anyone's life goals. However, schools do not bother teaching it! Most goals you might have in life are related to your financial resources (a new car, graduate school, a house, children’s education, retirement, etc). I am also a member of the Business Honors Program. Through this program, I have met countless friends, had exciting volunteer opportunities, and been challenged academically. I also get to hear exceptional speakers from the business community on an array of topics. In addition, I volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in my free time. Volunteering here gives me extraordinary leadership practice as I lead volunteer groups of various organizations such as churches, employees of companies, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and student organizations of UNC Charlotte and other universities.
What has been the best part of your academic experience so far?
In the spring of 2017, I was in a class where I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Jamil Niner Student Pantry on campus. The Niner Pantry serves students who have food insecurities, providing donated food and produce grown from a garden. I came up with the idea of creating an information system to help maintain and grow the garden, as well as to track all the pantry’s financial and operational data. It felt great to apply the lessons I was learning in the classroom to a nonprofit serving a great cause!
What else would you like to share with us?
I have worked on campus as a tutor for the University Center of Academic Excellence since April 2016. I tutor various courses from the Belk College of Business, in addition to algebra-based physics. Through this experience, I’ve met numerous students in both appointment and drop-in tutoring. Each student learns in a different way, and this position pushes me to actively listen and interpret the concepts in a manner that’s effective for each person. In May of 2017, I began working for Merrill Lynch in Charlotte. I get to meet a lot of service-driven individuals with highly entrepreneurial mindsets who love helping and educating families about their financial affairs. My development at UNC Charlotte has been a great part of the reason I obtained the position and continue to grow professionally in the global financial firm.
How would you describe the Belk College of Business to someone who is thinking about applying?
Game-changing.
