Finance Student Spotlight

I chose my major because... I have always enjoyed working with people and strategizing for success. It also helps being comfortable working with numbers and mathematical concepts. A degree in accounting and finance will allow me to work in any industry of my choice whether it’s on the public or private side.

My favorite thing to do on campus is... attending sports events and supporting our teams. It’s a lot of fun to come out with friends and cheer on our athletes.

I decided to attend DePaul because... of the urban environment. You must get out and see the city for yourself. It’s an excellent place to start your career in one of the most vibrant economies of our country.

The learning environment here at DePaul is... full of opportunities. You will receive from your DePaul experience as much as you put into it. Most classes are 40 students or less, so you are encouraged to participate in class discussions and work closely with your professors. You'll also have plenty of opportunities to learn outside of class with the numerous competitions and clubs available to DePaul students.

The class I most enjoyed here was... Management 300 with Professor Patrick J. Murphy. We were able to apply concepts and theories from the textbook to the professional world. Our class was organized to resemble a company, and our main objective was to extensively interview a professional in a managing role. We were able to analyze their management techniques and create a comprehensive report. This project gave us exposure to the decisions actual managers face on a day to day basis.

One thing I didn’t know about DePaul before coming was... that it uses the quarter system. Although I’ve certainly heard about this break up of class length, it didn’t resonate with me until I experienced it. Instead of two semesters of 15 weeks each, our school year consists of three quarters of 10 weeks each. This allows you to experience a variety of classes in a fast paced environment.

Here, the diversity of students, faculty and staff... reflects our city. Chicago is an incredibly diverse community with people from all over the world. This culmination of cultures is a great platform to learn from others and bring in new ideas.

The greatest thing about going to school in Chicago is... you never have any time to get bored. The two campuses are placed in the most vibrant communities of Chicago. You can spend time cheering on our sports teams, attending plays, seeing art exhibits, going to the beach, or just sightseeing the wonderful architecture. And that’s not even considering the nightlife where there are plenty of plays, concerts, clubs and bars to enjoy.

At DePaul, service learning is... encouraged through classes and clubs. As one of the school's mission statements, we are encouraged to give back to our communities which have supported us so well. You can join friends in preparing tax returns for low income families, teach children about finances through Junior Achievement or pursue many other wonderful opportunities.

My experience at as a commerce student... has been fulfilling as I have grown greatly through my experiences at DePaul. I feel confident that the technical skills I have gained will allow me to succeed in the professional arena. I have also developed many friendships with students and professors that will last a lifetime. I have enjoyed the Accountancy and Finance Honors Programs, which provide a unique opportunity to work closely with a group of fellow students and to develop close relationships with them.

What I remember most about my current internship... are the wonderful people I have met. I began doing internships in my sophomore year and they have been valuable experiences. Internships are excellent opportunities to see what your work life may look like in the future. It helps you understand what you would enjoy doing or what doesn’t work so well for you. You also get to learn so much from the people you’re working with and build many great relationships with them.

The one thing I’d like to say to students considering DePaul... come out here and check it out for yourself. Attending DePaul will give you the opportunity to acquire a technical skill set and practical knowledge that will allow you to succeed in the subsequent step of your life.