Activities: RU-Info, Aresty Research Program
What attracted you to Rutgers University and the Honors/Scholars Program?
Coming from a small high school, I was looking for a way to embrace the big school experience of Rutgers while still feeling like I could be a part of a tightly knit community. The Honors Program provided the perfect opportunity to be a part of a small group of incredible peers within the broader Rutgers experience.
Why did you choose your major and minor?
I chose Economics as a Major after Professor Sheflin's Macro 101 class. Having gone to school during the Global Financial Crisis, Professor Sheflin was constantly weaving real world events into his lectures in a way that made the major impactful, relevant, and interesting.
Tell us a little bit about what you're doing now. What was your first job after Rutgers? Where you do you live?
I am currently a Product Manager within the Financial Technology industry working on building and deploying a variety of products to make the investment management process more efficient, transparent, and scalable. I've worked on everything from new product launches to integrated product offerings, and love that what I do allows me to tap into so much of what I learned as an Econ major at Rutgers. My first job after college was as a Client Services analyst at the same firm I work at today (the initial interview was set up through RU Career Services!). I am originally from Cedar Knolls, NJ, and now reside in Madison.What has been your greatest professional and/or personal accomplishment since you graduated Rutgers?
What has been your greatest professional and/or personal accomplishment since you graduated from Rutgers?
My greatest professional accomplishment to date is finding a single firm where I could spend the last decade growing from Analyst to Product Manager, all while traveling the world and building incredible friendships along the way.
Was there a class and/or experience at Rutgers that led you to pursuing your current career?
My experience as an Economics major unlocked my passion for the intersection of business, psychology, and problem solving. This ultimately led to seek out a career that required skillsets and afforded challenges related to these themes.
What three words describe your experience at Rutgers and the Honors/Scholars Program?
Fun. Inspirational. Foundational.
How has your Rutgers and Honors education benefited you in your post-Rutgers life?
There are so many ways that my professors and the Honors Program have benefited me in my career, but there is one often under appreciated way that Rutgers prepared me for the world that I wasn't expecting. Whether it's learning how to navigate a bus system (and the value of leaving early if you want to be on time) or figuring out that you need to take ownership of your own academic journey, Rutgers instilled a level of independence and personal responsibility in me me that has proved to be invaluable in my post-Rutgers life.
What advice do you have for our current SAS Honors Program students?
Make the most of your undergraduate years, which comes from a healthy balance between academic achievement and football games, involvement in clubs, and late night with friends. Grades represent a moment in time, but the friendships and memories you'll form outside the classroom at RU will last a lifetime. Make sure to prioritize both. Also, read "How Will You Measure Your Life" by Clayton Christensen on Graduation Day and use it as an anchor to guide your early post-grad years.
Are you a Rutgers Honors alum? Be featured in an upcoming Honors Alumni Spotlight by completing our online submission form.
