Liberal Arts Major: Spanish
Other Major: Accounting
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Current Location: Los Angeles, CA
What enrichment activities did you participated in as a student?
During my time at Penn State, I held a summer internship in New York at KPMG, which led to a full-time job offer upon graduation. I also completed a Penn State summer study abroad program to Ronda, Spain to help complete my bachelor's in Spanish. While in Ronda for six weeks, I completed advanced courses in Spanish history and linguistics while spending every weekend traveling to a different city in Spain through the program.
What was your first job after graduating from Penn State?
In addition to my degree in Spanish, I also graduated with a master's in accounting. After successfully passing the CPA exams, I then went on to begin my career in Accounting Advisory at KPMG in New York. I worked in the transaction environment, where our group at KPMG advised clients on buy and sell-side transactions through financial due diligence and carve-out accounting.
What was your favorite class?
During two semesters at Penn State, I took Spanish literature courses with Professor Nicolas Fernandez-Medina that focused on different eras in Spanish history. I felt this class provided the best opportunity to become immersed in Spanish culture without being in Spain.
How did your liberal arts education and skills prepare you for life after graduation?
The primary skill received from the liberal arts education that I utilize daily in the business environment is communication. I believe my communication skills are what set me apart from my recent graduate peers and being able to complete a broad range of studies in the College of the Liberal Arts, specifically foreign language courses, provided me with perspective that other recent graduates did not receive in college.
What networking advice would you share with current students?
Networking allows me to gain perspective to the other opportunities available to advance my career. Without networking, I would believe that becoming a partner was the best and only way to progress my career. However, my ability to network with individuals aligned with my passions allowed me to find a role at Beyond Meat that caters not only to my passions, but also my interest in advancing my career.
What role have mentors played in your career progression?
In both career opportunities since graduating from Penn State, I have sought out mentors to educate me on the opportunities available to me by maintaining a strong work ethic, networking, and aligning with individuals that can help advance my career. Mentors have allowed me to make the most of not only my present opportunity, but also prepare myself for future opportunities by learning about the skills and experiences required to take my career to the next level.