Describe your central passion(s) and how you hope to carry that into your post-grad plans:
Growing up, my passion has been playing golf and this is what brought me to Flagler in the first place. I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to play my favorite sport for Flagler and to spend such a great time with my coaches and teammates. But studying at Flagler has also helped me to find new passions and dreams. I am excited about business and the fact that it is such a powerful tool that can help to change the world for the better if it is employed in a responsible way.
I am excited about the interconnectedness of our world and the opportunities and challenges that are provided by our globalized world. And I am excited to be part of a generation that has to find creative solutions to solve some of the world’s most urgent problems. Therefore, I would like to work in social impact consulting at some point in my career or even work in my family’s business.
What (or who) helped inspire your passion in this area (or areas)?
My family has definitely influenced me in developing a passion for looking at society’s problems with the eyes of an entrepreneur. My capstone thesis which was exploring the role that businesses should play in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals was also inspired by my parents’ approach in their engineering firm. Furthermore, my boyfriend is pursuing entrepreneurial activity in decarbonization projects. Overall, I have grown up and live in an entrepreneurial environment which inspires my passion for businesses that can not only earn profits but also benefit society and the planet.
Briefly tell us the story of one stand-out memory from your time at Flagler that will always make you smile:
A Flagler memory that will always make me smile is the first time that I stood in front of the Ponce the Leon hotel, and I realized that I was so lucky that I got the chance to live and study here. I felt such a deep gratefulness in that moment and pure joy. But just in general, the first few days at Flagler, meeting my coaches and teammates for the first time, playing the Slammer & Squire for the first time, and seeing St. Augustine downtown for the first time were all very special moments for me.
What academic resources, experiences, or mentors proved most valuable throughout your Flagler experience?
Looking back, I can say that I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful professors throughout my four years at Flagler. Many of them have had a lasting influence on me and have helped me to find my way at Flagler and beyond. Some of the most valuable experiences I had were because of my involvement in the honors program. Like writing my capstone thesis which I presented at an international conference with the support of my mentor Dr. Herrera and participating in the College Ethics Symposium in Hilton Head Island with Dr. Woodhouse.
What is one piece of advice or lesson you learned about the college experience that you wish you could tell your freshman year self?
I do not have any regrets about my time at Flagler. But if I could go back, I would like to make sure to take enough time to slow down from time to time and enjoy the moment. I have always been very goal and task oriented and have lived from deadline to deadline. The piece of advice that I learned during the last years is to take opportunities as they come, spend enough time with friends, and don’t take everything too seriously.
Tell us about what you’re up to next! Any cool experiences, professional positions, or unique opportunities you have lined up after graduation?
Thanks to the opportunity to work for a year after graduation with the Optional Practical Training (OPT), I will be able to stay in the United States and work for a company in the energy efficiency sector in New York City. I am excited to start a new chapter and live in a big city for the first time in my life. However, I am already very sad to leave St. Augustine, my team, all the people that have made my journey so special, the good weather, and our beautiful campus.