1
. What was your major/minor and when did you graduate?
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Business Spanish
Graduated: Spring 2018
2. What is your current position (title, company, location)? Can you describe a typical day?
My current position is a Financial Consultant for Equitable Advisors in The Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia area. In my position I wear different hats depending on the person or group I am working with. I help young professionals understand and start the wealth building process, I assist young families in creating college savings plans for kids and implement strategic life insurance investments to protect against tragedies. To couples and individuals nearing retirement I focus income strategies that provide each client with the confidence needed to enjoy retirement with the dignity they deserve. In order to wear these hats, a lot of the time each day is spent prospecting and networking. some days in the week are designated to networking/prospecting and some days are used for running meetings.
3. How did your major prepare you for your current job?
The major does a great job providing a wide range of knowledge in the business field. The three courses that prepared me the most were, Business Communication, Negotiation, and Professional Selling. Bcomm and Negotiation were both taught by Dr. Oxford and Professional Selling was taught by Dean Richardson. These classes will provide you with more confidence when talking to others and give you advantageous communication skills that will separate you from graduates at other universities.
4. How did you become interested in your field?
I became interested in my field after a course I took in high school. In the class we watched videos on investing and learned how it works on a surface level, since then I have been fascinated by learning more and helping others to learn about it as well. It’s a rewarding job that creates a direct impact on the lives of your clients and an even more humbling impact on your own life.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Don’t overthink things, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whatever you are going through, someone has been in your situation, conquered it, and is willing to help you see the path through the same situation.
6. Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were at UMW?
In addition to Dean Richardson and Dr. Oxford’s classes two other names came to mind. Rhonda Stills was my class counselor and was a powerful resource for me. She helped me to see the graduation finish line as well as the starting blocks for life after college, and the second name is Andrea Cordray. Andrea was instrumental in helping me find an internship in a field that was both interesting to me and helpful in learning how a business is run. Overall Andrea and Rhonda are very helpful resources that I hope people utilize to find their paths to graduation and into the real world.
7. What’s your fondest memory of UMW?
Being able to see your friends anytime. I made great friends at UMW and am still in touch with many of them. Now we need to plan weekend trips or arrange time away from work to see each other.
8. How would your family or friends describe you in seven words or less?
Charismatic, Competitive, Outdoorsmen, Athletic, Stubborn, Driven(when inspired), Family Man
9. In one sentence, what advice would you give current business students?
Find something you are passionate about and find a way to make it your career, college is fun and the real world will be more fun if you are doing something you love.
