Alumni Spotlight: Steve Giamalis (BUS ’81)

Posted on October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 by

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

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.

Student Spotlight: Holly Chase (’17)

Posted on September 23, 2015September 29, 2015 by

Holly Chase, Honors Scholar

Major: Healthcare Management

Minor: Neuroscience

Hometown: Barkhamsted, CT

Why did you join Honors in Business Association?

I joined the Honors in Business Association because I wanted to meet other honors students in my major and in the School of Business. In addition, I was excited to learn more about different companies through speaker sessions and on-site visits, while networking with business professionals. I encourage all students who are interested in business to attend at least one HiBA meeting or event!

What else are you involved in on campus besides HiBA?

Besides being a member of HiBA, I am the President of the UConn Outing Club, a coordinator for the Honors Initiative for Prospective Students (HIPS), and part of the UConn Club Field Hockey team. My latest project is starting the NextGenVest UConn club, which aims to provide college and high school students with higher access to personal finance knowledge and gives tips on how to be smart with their money!

What do you enjoy most about UConn?

One of the highlights of being a Husky is the ability to be involved in so many organizations. Although it may sound cheesy, there is actually a club for any type of person or interest! That versatility has allowed me to hike or play field hockey one week, then attend a business conference the next. I love being able to explore all my passions and am grateful for the resources UConn provides!

What are your career aspirations?

In the future, I would like to work either in the field of healthcare administration or in a role that combines healthcare and technology. Depending on my career needs, I would also pursue a M.S. in Healthcare Administration or Public Health.

Previous internships

This summer, I was an Operations Intern in the International Division of Aetna with a focus on process improvement and reporting metrics. It was a fantastic experience, as I was able to learn about both the insurance side of healthcare, as well as the many careers in the industry. In the past, I was a Marketing Intern at iDevices, a app-enablement company where I developed social media content for their various products.

Fun Fact About Yourself

I love to ski!

Student Spotlight: Akanksha Singh (’16)

Posted on September 16, 2015July 31, 2016 by

Akanksha Singh, Honors Scholar

Major: Finance

Minors: Spanish, Economics, and Management Information Systems

Hometown: Enfield, Connecticut

Why did you join Honors in Business Association?

I thought it was a great idea to create an organization where business students that are in the honors program can work together to help each other excel and help increase the caliber of the UConn School of Business as well as the companies that come here to recruit. I think that UConn business students are truly exceptional and I wanted to be part of making that known to the rest of the world.

What else are you involved in on campus besides HiBA?

I am one of the captains of Husky Bhangra, I am an RA in Connecticut Commons, and last year I was a manager in the Student Managed Fund.

What do you enjoy most about UConn?

I love that there is something for everyone. Whether your interests lie in sports, arts, academics, science, etc., you will be able to find your niche here through the vast number of student organizations, the diverse student body, and the excellent classes offered.

What are your career aspirations?

When I graduate I plan to begin a rotational program in Global Wealth Investment Management at U.S. Trust: Bank of America Wealth Management. A couple years down the road, I plan to go to graduate school to get my MBA and complete the CFA certification.

Previous internship(s)

During the summer after my junior year I interned at GE Corporate as a Financial Management Program Intern. It was a great experience because I was able to learn about corporate finance, how to behave in a corporate environment, and gain valuable connections. However, the role that I was in was very accounting focused and I decided that I wanted my career to be more finance oriented, which is why I decided to intern at U.S. Trust the following summer and I really enjoyed my time there, leading to a full time offer which I accepted.

Fun Fact About Yourself

I can speak three languages: English, Hindi and Spanish.

HiBA Visits Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and PwC

Posted on March 30, 2015July 10, 2015 by

As featured in the School of Business News:

The Honors in Business Association (HiBA) hosted a trip to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and PwC. Approximately 30 students attended and were split into two groups, with one group visiting PwC and the other group visiting the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Students visiting PwC were hosted by Ann Ulett, northeast sourcing manager. Students learned about the day-to-day responsibilities of an accountant from a panel that included a recent UConn graduate followed by a team building activity. PwC also spoke about the future of the company in the city of Boston.

At the Federal Reserve Bank, students were hosted by Don Anderson ’99, vice president of network services. Anderson along with other officers of the Federal Reserve Bank gave an overview of the Bank’s corporate structure. Students also attended a presentation on the topics of economic growth and the Bank’s balance sheet by the associate vice President of accounting. The visit at the Federal Reserve Bank ended with a cash tour given by the vice president of cash services.

Brooke Wasserman ’15, an accounting major who visited the Federal Reserve Bank mentioned, “I found the overview of the balance sheet to be very interesting. The Federal Reserve Bank considers cash to be a liability on their balance sheet.” In Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), cash is considered an asset and not a liability.

Quian Callender ’16, president of the Honors in Business Association, states, “Site visits are extremely beneficial to students because they provide experiences that can’t be learned in a traditional classroom setting.”

About Honors in Business Association
Honors in Business Association (HiBA) is a student organization formed between the Honors Program and School of Business. HiBA strives to create a sense of community for students in both Honors and the School of Business and those with an interest in business. HiBA’s programming provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate and develop skills necessary to succeed in today’s business world all while building a strong alumni network. Contact information: uconnhiba@gmail.com

Honors in Business Association Hosts Jim Calhoun, CEO of Converse

Posted on October 28, 2014July 3, 2015 by

The Honors in Business Association (HiBA) hosted Jim Calhoun ’89 (CLAS), CEO of Converse for a discussion about his experience as an undergraduate at UConn, his career path, and what it is like being CEO of a multibillion dollar international company.

Before speaking to a larger audience, Calhoun spoke with students at an intimate reception sponsored by the UConn School of Business Dean’s Office. Gregory Doyle ’15 (BUS), an attendee at the reception stated, “It was great connecting with a past UConn graduate who has been successful on a large corporate scale. He seemed really passionate about Converse and what it represents. I especially enjoyed hearing about the mistakes he has made along the way and what he has learned from them.”

Following the reception Calhoun began his discussion in the Student Union Theater with a picture of his father, former UConn men’s basketball head coach Jim Calhoun. The picture was of the former coach wearing Converse sneakers as a college student and playing basketball against UConn, a team he would later coach. Calhoun brought the picture full circle stating that the picture hangs in his office at Converse headquarters.

In addition to taking in advice from Calhoun, students were stunned to learn that Calhoun was to thank for the famous product placement of Wilson in ‘Cast Away’ starring Tom Hanks.

Both the reception and speaking event attracted UConn students across all disciplines who all took something away from Calhoun’s talk. Justin Hall ’17 (ENG) stated, “Calhoun’s presentation was both insightful and interesting. Personally I left with a greater understanding of how to utilize and how to create pivotal opportunities throughout my life.” Alyssa Zabin ’16 (CLAS), from student group Leadership in Action added, “It was great as students to see what huskies before us have done as they build upon their undergraduate experiences in profound ways.”

Larry Gramling, associate dean of the School of Business who sat down with Calhoun for a question and answer session expressed, “A great deal of what made the event one of the very best I have ever attended at UConn was first and foremost due to Jim Calhoun who did a great job by just being himself: genuine, down-to-earth, and engaging before the event in the Lounge, during the talk, and afterwards when many of the 100 or so in the audience came up to talk to Jim.”

About Honors in Business Association: Honors in Business Association (HiBA) is a student organization formed between the Honors Program and UConn School of Business. HiBA strives to create a sense of community for students in both Honors and the School of Business and those with an interest in business while focusing on professional development. Contact information: uconnhiba@gmail.com or Quian Callender at quian.callender@uconn.edu.

Pictured L to R: John Averill ’16 (CLAS), Quian Callender ’16 (BUS), Alyssa Zabin ’16 (CLAS), Jim Calhoun, CEO of Converse, Associate Dean of the School of Business Larry Gramling, Grace Kim ’16 (BUS), Emily Vasington ’16 (BUS), Brooke Wasserman ’15 (BUS), and Global VP of Communications at Converse Terri Hines.