Month: October 2015

Student Spotlight: Kendra Andrada (’16)

Posted on October 22, 2015July 31, 2016 by Quian Callender

Kendra Andrada, Honors Scholar

Major: Marketing

Minor: French

Hometown: Glastonbury, CT

Why did you join Honors in Business Association?

I wanted to meet other honors students in the business school and I was interested in all the events that HiBA holds.

What else are you involved in on campus besides HiBA?

I am a the wellness chair this semester for Alpha Kappa Psi (a professional business fraternity) and I work at the One Card Office.

What do you enjoy most about UConn?

I love how beautiful the campus is in the fall!

What are your career aspirations?

Right after graduation I want to do a rotational program so that I can gain experience in multiple areas of marketing before settling into one. I am interested in branding, product marketing, and market research and I hope to find which one I like best by trying all of them.

Previous internships

In the spring I worked as the social media intern at Paradiso Insurance where my primary responsibility was to manage their blog. This past summer I interned in the marketing department at Lincoln Financial group. I had various assignments from planning and executing a service day for 70 participants across 4 locations to assisting with their new online marketing center.

Fun Fact About Yourself

I was home-schooled until 4th grade.

Student Spotlight: Megan Gauer (’16)

Posted on October 15, 2015July 31, 2016 by Quian Callender

Megan Gauer, Honors Scholar

Major: Actuarial Sciences and Finance

Hometown: South Windsor, CT

Why did you join Honors in Business Association?

I joined the Honors in Business Association to meet other people in the business school and for the professional development opportunities. We put on a lot of great events that have given me many networking opportunities and helped me with my internship and job search.

What else are you involved in on campus besides HiBA?

I am a coordinator for the Husky Ambassador Program where I help to run the Husky-for-a-Day Program and Open Houses for prospective students. I also teach CCD classes at St. Thomas Aquinas and am a member of GIS, the Actuarial fraternity.

What do you enjoy most about UConn?

My favorite things about UConn are the school spirit and all the great friends I have made throughout my time here!

What are your career aspirations?

I recently accepted a full time analyst position with Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital – Actuarial, Rewards & Analytics group!

Previous internships

This past summer I interned with Deloitte. My internship was a great experience. I got to work on real, client facing projects, and really learn what actuarial consulting is all about. Additionally, I have also interned with The Phoenix Companies and Travelers – both of which were also great experiences, helped me to advance my skills, and to learn what working in industry is like.

Fun Fact About Yourself

I love to travel!

Student Spotlight: Joaquin Sanchez (’18)

Posted on October 8, 2015February 1, 2017 by Quian Callender

Joaquin Sanchez, Honors Scholar

Major: Finance

Minor: Economics

Hometown: Oxford, CT

Why did you join Honors in Business Association?

I decided to join Honors in Business Association (HiBA) to meet business minded individuals while also benefiting from professional development opportunities and corporate employer events. Fundamentally, HiBA is steered by a great executive board that provides worthwhile trips. Last year HiBA planned a trip to the Boston Federal Reserve and this year members will be able to attend business conferences at Harvard.

What else are you involved in on campus besides HiBA?

This year I joined the executive board of Finance Society as part of the marketing committee and became the Bloomberg Campus Ambassador. My role is to administer the Bloomberg Aptitude Test (BAT) for free to any student interested in testing their analytical skills. I’m also a dual mentor in the PATH and METAS programs and part of the Daily Campus advertising sales team.

What do you enjoy most about UConn?

I enjoy meeting people the most. Classes teach you the course content, but the people that make up “UConn” (friends, colleagues, and faculty) are an equally valuable resource. People at UConn are talented and extraordinary in every aspect and I feel I can always gain something from listening in.

What are your career aspirations?

I have various interests within finance and economics and continue to explore industries in financial services or corporate finance. Overall, I’d like to be constantly learning and challenged in meaningful projects.

Fun Fact About Yourself

Most of my childhood was growing up in Mexico City

Illuminate Experience: Jackson Collins

Posted on October 7, 2015October 10, 2015 by Quian Callender

Jackson Collins

Finance Major, Class of 2019

In college, it’s easy to fall into the groove. There’s a cycle of going to class, attending clubs and extra-curriculars, and studying that most of the student body spends their day in. And while this routine keeps your GPA up and your social life fresh, for me there was something missing. I couldn’t exactly pinpoint it, but it was something that was abstract but so necessary to making the most of the college experience. I found that hidden element at Illuminate.

I shared an intense desire to innovate and inspire within the students at the Harvard Illuminate Conference. They transcended the bounds of their curriculum and had decided to blaze their own trail in the world. I finally found that missing element I had been searching before. It was an element of creativity that could only be found when working with those who are just as willing as you to tear down the standards of today to solve the problems we may face tomorrow. I was surrounded by peers who would stand in the future with me and pull the rest of the world to us.

If there is anything I learned from this conference, it was that the present is in no short supply of innovators and entrepreneurs fearlessly charging into the future to make the world a better place for us all.

Illuminate Experience: Justin Hall

Posted on October 7, 2015October 10, 2015 by Quian Callender

Justin Hall

Mechanical Engineering Major, Class of 2017

In regards to innovation and entrepreneurship, my experience exceeds a simple interest. Personally, I am working with three of my peers in a start up to develop a specific web service and even recently, we received IDEA grant funding to continue the development of our project. In addition, I have assisted in innovating a new design for flywheel energy storage by capitalizing on recent research. I have recently been involved with Stanford University as a University Innovation Fellow. Fellows take a course with Stanford along with other students across the nation and conclude their training by visiting Stanford and Google to see some truly entrepreneurial and innovative environments. The goal of this fellowship is to teach an individual the best ways to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in their communities.

The Harvard Illuminate conference immediately took my interest. A conference covering the topics of entrepreneurship and innovation while featuring some notable speakers and collecting an audience from a variety of universities provides a plethora of opportunities. After attending, I can say with confidence I was not disappointed and the conference even exceeded my expectation. Keynotes included panels by leaders from both Pandora Radio and PepsiCo. These talks showed that entrepreneurship and innovation is crucial in any environment, even in a larger company. Additional guest speakers from successful startups provided students with not only inspiration but also a better understanding of topics such as creating a culture or seeking venture funding.

From this experience, I took away many things. Not only did I leave with a greater understanding of how to be a successful entrepreneur. I also left with many new friends after having the opportunity to discuss entrepreneurial ventures with students from universities across the northeast. These discussions led to ideas of my own and ultimately to a better understanding of how to become a successful entrepreneur. I would recommend this conference to any aspiring entrepreneur.

Illuminate Experience: Michael Jean-Paul

Posted on October 7, 2015October 10, 2015 by Quian Callender

Michael Jean-Paul

Communications Major, Class of 2016

I attended the Harvard Illuminate Conference to develop a better understanding for entrepreneurship, innovation in advertising, branding and marketing and innovation in finance. I came in with the expectation of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the aforementioned business concepts with the thought that after being exposed to such, that I would further expand my body of knowledge as it relates to entrepreneurship and innovation. Additionally, I thought I would gain exposure to concepts I was unfamiliar with. I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. I’ve read books such as, Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow rich to help me become more knowledgeable in building businesses and ultimately realizing my maximum potential as an Entrepreneur.

I have always had a passion for innovation. For example, this summer my team and I developed an app called SwipeShop. This application is available on the App Store for iOS devices and will be available on the Android platform in the beginning of the spring 2016 semester. SwipeShop is a mobile marketplace that connects local buyers and sellers for the purpose of exchanging second hand goods. To post an item, simply take a picture, add a brief description and upload it instantly for thousands to see locally. From here you can bid on selected items, after which the seller will accept or reject your bid. Once a deal is in place, a conversation where you can negotiate the final price and plan a destination to complete the transaction will emerge.

After attending the Harvard Illuminate Conference, I gained exposure to industry experts in entrepreneurship and innovation and have been impressed with the lessons I learned. I learned about the steps necessary to raise venture capital through seed funding, the power of networking, marketing a start-up and about technology start-ups from the ground-up. I value the connections and lessons I learned from recent Harvard Alumni as well as other entrepreneurs from all over the globe and believe this experience to be invaluable as it has helped me develop relationships that I believe will prove to be an asset throughout my career in venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Alumni Spotlight: Steve Giamalis (BUS ’81)

Posted on October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 by Quian Callender

Steve Giamalis, Accounting ’81

CPA & Owner, Giamalis and Company, LLC
Glastonbury, CT

Why did you choose UConn?

UConn provided a quality education for a reasonable tuition and fees. Local employers hired UConn graduates.

How did UConn and the Honors Program prepare you for your career?

I had to look at issues from many points of view, not just the textbook.

Favorite UConn memory?

As an alumni going to the 2004 final four in San Antonio. While being a student The blizzard of 78. The governor closed UConn for 2 days.

Advice to Current Students and Alumni interested in your career field

Look at a variety of positions before, and opportunities before settling on your final career track.

Student Spotlight: Matthew Olson (’17)

Posted on October 1, 2015October 1, 2015 by Quian Callender

Matthew Olson, Honors Scholar

Major: Accounting and Economics

Hometown: Glastonbury, CT

Why did you join Honors in Business Association?

I joined Honors in Business Association in order to engage with like minded peers to learn about a wide range of business aspects. These aspects are shown throughout various club events and meetings. The club gives unique opportunities such as a business etiquette dinner, and the chance to attend an intercollegiate business conference at Harvard. These sorts of opportunities are scarcely offered else where, if at all, so I was motivated to join.

What else are you involved in on campus besides HiBA?

Besides Honors in Business Association, I participate in a variety of organizations in various roles. Currently I am the treasurer for the campus’ Beta Alpha Psi chapter, a mentor in Peer Alliance Through Honors, and frequent as a donor for Red Cross blood drives.

What do you enjoy most about UConn?

I most enjoy all of the people at UConn and the different perspectives and lifestyles they have. Upon coming to UConn I have made friends from all over the world in all walks of life and it really opens up the way you see the world around you. I also really appreciate all of the opportunities that UConn provides to all of its students from professional networking events all the way to watching the basketball teams earn championship titles time and time again.

What are your career aspirations?

Upon graduation I am striving to join a large public accounting firm while being a CPA. I hope to get into the world of real estate accounting, and to someday start my own business or at least be in a significant decision making position within a company.

Previous Internships

I have spent the past two summers working at a property management firm called Imagineers LLC as an accounting intern where I got to see many different aspects of real estate that I enjoyed. I recently started working working part time at Grant Thornton as a year round intern where I will rotate through the tax, audit, and business advisory departments.

Fun Fact About Yourself

My blood type is A-, which only 6% of the population has.