Hometown:
Glen Head, New York
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
I don’t always know what I’m doing, but I trust myself to succeed.
Who most influenced your decision to pursue your B.S. in Business Administration?
My uncle Mark. When I was younger, he would gift me books about the founding of major companies and send me news articles about the business world. As a wide-eyed and unformed high schooler, hearing the confidence he had when speaking about current events made me want to pursue a degree where I could become educated in the decision-making processes behind the world I was observing.
What was your favorite business course and why?
My favorite business course during my time at Scheller was Legal Aspects of Business, taught by Professor Arn Rubinoff, who has since passed away. Professor Rubinoff addressed course content with personal anecdotes and complex hypotheticals that really made you think. He encouraged us to share our ideas and go beyond the surface to find solutions, which is what made me appreciate the class and his teaching style so much.
What advice would you give to an incoming undergraduate student?
Your legacy at Scheller is being built every day. Don’t stress if you didn’t get into the club you wanted, or you’re struggling in a class. Opportunities here are abundant. From your first class to your last, every day is a chance to improve.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
One of my favorite activities was being a representative in student government. I got to work alongside students from every major and serve the student body in so many ways. The hardest part of that position, by far, was having to be constantly ready to explain situations or policies to other students. Luckily, the group work and presentations I’ve given in Scheller prepared me well, and communicating became something I enjoyed rather than avoided.
What is something unexpected you learned about Scheller College during your time as a student?
More often than you’d expect, you’ll have classes with people who you’ve had class with before. Making friends with the classmates sitting around you will help you in the long run. Scheller is more interconnected than you think.
What’s been your favorite memory so far at Scheller?
My favorite memory was the first time my parents visited me at Scheller. Seeing how impressed they were with the atmosphere and legacy of the school I was studying at was an amazing feeling. The moment represented all the hard work we had put in together to get me there and gave me motivation to chase success throughout my four years here.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from your Scheller B.S. Business Administration?
Failure is inevitable. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but at Scheller you’ll never be the smartest in the room. There will be times when you miss the mark while others around you succeed, but this is a blessing in disguise. Surrounding yourself with the best of the best elevates your goals and standards. Thanks to my failures within Scheller, I’m aiming higher than I ever thought I would when I first got to Georgia Tech.
Where will you be working after graduation?
As a financial analyst at American Express in New York City.
What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?
I’m asking my grandma to cook as much Puerto Rican food as her kitchen can fit.
Who would you like to thank most for your success?
I want to thank my parents most for my success. I want to thank them for trusting in me even when I didn’t trust in myself. Their support gave me the strength to not quit.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
In middle school, I had an afro that was 12 inches long. Luckily, I cut it all off right before I got to high school, or else I might not have survived.
Who is your favorite business professor?
Arn Rubinoff was my favorite business professor. He taught without laptops, emphasized engagement, and encouraged us to participate in discussion. His classes weren’t easy, but his passion for teaching made me want to be prepared for every class. If I ever become a professor, I’ll strive to teach like him.
Which classmate do you most admire?
Will Delmonte Although he’s a year younger than me, we’ve taken very similar paths through Scheller. We’ve been able to share the struggles of finding jobs in finance and surviving the hardest courses. Having him as a resource has undoubtedly made my time here easier.
What actor would you cast to play yourself in a movie about your life, and why?
I’d choose Owen Wilson because his voice is ingrained inside my head.
What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to, and why?
When I traveled abroad in Australia, some friends and I took a trip over to Bali, Indonesia. We stayed in cheap hostels, rode motorbikes to places we’d never been, and shared food we couldn’t pronounce with people we couldn’t understand. It reminded me that travel isn’t always pretty, but it does change you for the better.
Favorite family tradition:
My uncle takes pride in two recipes: his key lime pie and his guacamole. At every family gathering, he brings one or the other. My favorite family tradition is making up criticisms for these recipes, because no matter what you say about how it tastes, he will call you crazy and refuse to change anything.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being given the opportunity to work in New York City. My parents grew up there, so it’s always been a dream of mine to live there.
What did you want to be when you were small?
I wanted to be Lightning McQueen, but financial analyst is a good second option.
What is your latest book recommendation?
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” by Hunter S. Thompson. It’s crazy and can be hard to follow, but the writing won’t let you put it down.
Favorite restaurant in Atlanta:
Atlanta Breakfast Club. Order the Georgia peach chicken and waffles. The wait is worth it.
