Student of the week
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LAUREN COCHRAN | SPRING 2015 WEEK 10 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Accounting Campus Involvements: Accounting Association (Secretary 2013-2014), MUSA Board (VP Academic Affairs 2012-2013), Research Assistant (Professor Faurel 2013-2015), National Society of Leadership & Success (Inducted Member 2015), Administrative Intern Center for Investment & Wealth Management (2013), Residential Advisor Financial Literacy Summer Program (2013), IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (2011-2013), Cross Cultural Center Summer Multicultural Leadership Institute (2011), U.S. Congressional Award Gold Medalist (2013), Audit Intern McGladrey LLP (2014) Other hobbies you like to do: Running, MLB fan-Dodgers, NHL fan-Ducks, Disneyland, traveling Career/Plans after graduation: Audit Associate McGladrey LLP Advice to the Business Administration majors: Take advantage of all the programs and opportunities that UCI has to offer. How have your experiences with the Paul Merage community allowed you to develop as an individual?: Through each affiliation, I made valuable contacts and mentors that helped me accomplish my business goals. |
SCOTT HENRY | SPRING 2015 WEEK 9 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Accounting Campus Involvements: Lambda Phi Nu | Chief Executive Officer, MUSA | VP, Outreach, U/U Advising | Peer Academic Advisor, U/U Mentorship Program | Student Coordinator, Accounting Association | Mentor, Astronomy Club :) Other hobbies you like to do: Go-Kart Racing, Star-Gazing, Reading Leadership Books, Woodworking Career/Plans after graduation: Starting Full-Time with Deloitte in the Audit service line. Advice to the Business Administration majors: 1) Embrace every experience as an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to get involved in this great Merage business community we have at UCI! 2) Find a mentor. We have a great community of student mentors that are willing to help you out. 3) BE a mentor. Continue the legacy of mentorship that those have shared with you. 4) In everything you do, learn and grow. :) How have your experiences with the Paul Merage community allowed you to develop as an individual?: I advise everyone to get out there and network! Whether it is with professionals or fellow students, people are a lot more willing to help you out and mentor you than you think! It is through these relationships experiences in leadership that I’ve grown to be the person I am today. |
MICHAEL CHIA | SPRING 2015 WEEK 8 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Accounting Campus Involvements: Merage Undergraduate Student Association, Accounting Association, Center for Investment and Wealth Management, National Society of Collegiate Scholars Other hobbies you like to do: Biking, basketball, watching anime/TV shows Career/Plans after graduation: Work for a local accounting firm while studying for the CPA exam Advice to the Business Administration majors: Get involved on campus early and attend events to build your network. If you're unsure of your career path, explore various career options through attending events and networking. Even if you know your career path, networking with others who pursue the same path can provide you with additional insight and guidance. Don't be afraid to reach out, talk to others, learn their story, or even ask for advice. How have your experiences with the Paul Merage community allowed you to develop as an individual?: As cliche as it may seem, the people I've met in the Merage community had a tremendous impact on me. I didn't get involved until the end of my second year and looking back now I wish I got involved earlier. However, in the past two years being involved with MUSA and CIWM, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many students, faculty, and staff. Everyone has been so friendly, nice and willing to help out, whether for professional or personal development. This has allowed me step outside my comfort zone and gain invaluable experiences, skills, and connections. |
MARISSA RENYER| SPRING 2015 WEEK 7 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Accounting Why you chose your emphasis?: Accounting is so important to not only firms but also everyday people. Converting complicated concepts into understandable presentations and reviewing/editing documents are skills I always had but didn't know how to put to use. Also, the economic impact accountants and auditors have on the market is almost impossibly huge, and integrity is a huge part of that. I want to be part of that positive impact on the world. Campus Involvements: Campuswide Honors Program Peer Academic Advisor, Fundraising Chair of Whovians at UCI, member of Anteater Ambassador Network, Chaser on Anteater Quidditch team Career/Plans after graduation: MPAc, Audit Advice to the Business Administration majors: Get to know your peers with study groups! How have your experiences with the Paul Merage community allowed you to develop as an individual?: While interacting with faculty and staff, I learned that professionalism should not be cold as I had thought before college; on the contrary, professionalism should be warm and inviting. Being able to work with a group of such high-achieving students in group project teams has been amazing as well, as their talent and work ethic pushed me to do my best. |
JOHN CHRISTENSEN| SPRING 2015 WEEK 6 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Marketing Why you chose your emphasis?: Marketing was always something that i thought was very interesting. I always wanted to know why people purchase the things they purchase. How is marketing done responsibly and how is it done irresponsibly? That is a question that I wanted to get a more precise answer on. Campus Involvements: UCI Men's Crew Career/Plans after graduation: I am currently searching for a marketing-related position in the Wine industry. Most likely, I will be starting as a Harvest Intern this summer, so I can experience the full wine production process hands-on. Advice to the Business Administration majors: Make an impact on campus! For me, it is representing our school as a member of the Varsity rowing team. I have found that since many members of the rowing team aren't Business majors, it has expanded my way of thinking by interacting with them. Get to know people of varying majors! It just may help you think more out of the box. How have your experiences with the Paul Merage community allowed you to develop as an individual?: The Merage school has been invaluable to me when it comes to learning. The faculty are exceptional for a school so young, and they possess a wealth of knowledge that has dramatically changed how I think about business. Something so great about our faculty is that they are pretty varied between real-world experience and completely academic. Both are vital to a well-rounded education in my opinion. This school has prepared me pretty well with knowledge of both the ideal theoretical way to do business, and the harsh realities of the way business gets done. My fellow students have also helped me grow tremendously. As we all know, management classes require quite a bit of teamwork. Much of the time, this has been a difficult experience, but I have also learned quite a bit from other students. Since teamwork is so vital to business, I know this experience will serve me well in the future. |
VANNIE LUONG| SPRING 2015 WEEK 5 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in General Management Minor: International Studies Why you chose your emphasis?: Back when I first joined UCI, we still had the specialization program. I chose general management because I wanted a broader knowledge of everything business. I really like to work with people and be in a leadership position, so I thought that it would be the best fit when compared to accounting and marketing. Campus Involvements: Sigma Kappa Sorority, UCI Peer Academic Advisor, UCDC Internship program, Study Abroad Program Career/Plans after graduation: After my summer internship ends, I hope to relocate to Washington DC and start a career as a meetings and event planner. Advice to the Business Administration majors: Work and internship experience is the number one thing you can do to prepare yourself. Since business students aren’t too heavily involved in research, you should spend a lot of time gaining professional experience. It was something I realized a little later on in the game and wish I could go back and pursue a summer internship instead of going to summer school. Luckily I participated in the UCDC program that offered me an amazing experience. How have your experiences with the Paul Merage community allowed you to develop as an individual?: I would say that one of the defining resources that the Merage community has that has helped me develop as an individual are all of our career resources. Our career staff is so amazing and will help you get where you want to be professionally. Additionally, I’ve attended some of the career development workshops hosted for Merage students and that is really cool too because the workshops are super interactive and you get to learn cool tips and tricks that will help you later on in life. These aren’t things you learn by reading online articles. When I attend them, it feels like I’m getting valuable insider knowledge. |
ABBY ZHOU| SPRING 2015 WEEK 4 Year: 4th
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Accounting and Finance Why you chose your emphasis?: I had a summer internship at an investment bank. Through this experience, I realized my passion towards the financial industry. The challenges I faced and the unstable stock market I observed encouraged me to explore more in this fascinating area. In order to better prepare myself to be a financial professional, academic knowledge of finance and accounting is necessary. Career/Plans after graduation: Look for summer internship in financial service company, and finish coursework by 2015 fall quarter. Work in financial industry for 2-3 years and apply for MBA program after then. Campus Involvements: UCI SOAR Academic Preparation (SIAP) Grants and Sponsorship-Outreach Advisory Committee (OAC), UCI Leadership Program – Administrative Intern, UCI International Center - Program Intern, English Conversation Program(ECP) Coordinator, International Coffee Hour Coordinator, UCI Undecided/Undeclared Mentorship Program - Financial Chair, Associated Students of UCI (ASUCI) – International Student Committee Advice to the Business Administration majors: Different from other academic fields, business is a special area which needs enough related experience. It is true that the theories and concepts from the book will support to form a view towards the business; however, application is always more significant. |
KEVIN SWEENEY | SPRING 2015 WEEK 3 Year: 3rd
Major: Business Administration, Emphasis in Accounting Why you chose your emphasis?: There were a lot of opportunities to get involved and having a strong background in accounting is very useful; the skills are very transferable to many other types of work. Career/Plans after graduation: I hope to get my CPA and be able to work for an accounting firm. Campus Involvements: Peer Academic Advisor (2015-2016), Office Assistant (AV), Paul Merage Jumpstart Series (participant), Accounting Association (member) How has Merage helped you? Since joining some clubs and becoming more involved with the business program and the school in general I feel like I have grown tremendously. There are simple things, like writing a resume or networking with professionals, that I have become more comfortable and confident with since I started putting myself out there. Get involved early so you form meaningful relationships with your classmates, professors and other professionals. This will make your time here so much more enjoyable and will open up so many doors you never thought were there. Advice to the Business Administration majors: Seek advice from as many people as possible.There are tons of resources and opportunities available, you just have to be proactive in seeking them out. |