MORE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER
Graduation Date: June 2008
Hometown: Wheeling, Illinois
High School: Wheeling High School
Awards & Achievements:
- Circle of Finance Opportunities Scholarship Award 2007-08
- Northern Trust Scholarship Award 2007-2008
- Transfer Scholarship Award 2006-08
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- Golden Key International Honour Society
- Finance Honors Program
- Dean’s List
Campus Involvement:
- Financial Management Association – Executive Vice President
- Student Leadership Institute Certificate Program
Current Employment:
- Smith Barney Intern
Christopher Ferrer
Area of Study:Finance
I chose my major because... it aligns well with my personality. Having served in the armed forces, I have come to enjoy the professional and challenging aspects of working in a dynamic environment. As a finance major, I have the opportunity to work in several areas of business such as corporate and public finance, personal financial planning and money management, that bring both a professional and challenging element to the table.
My favorite thing to do on campus is... partake in the various workshops and events DePaul offers. I have taken several workshops through the Career Center and the Student Leadership Institute (SLI) that have further developed the person I am today. One of the most interesting and beneficial workshops I participated in through SLI, was titled "Discovering the Leader in You." The workshop looked at how the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator could be used to understand how one’s personality influences his or her leadership style.
I decided to transfer to DePaul because... I was looking for a vibrant environment with a challenging curriculum that offered a small class size all set within the city of Chicago. That is exactly what I have received. The professors at DePaul really cater to the needs of their students and educate and elevate them to think outside of the box.
My favorite professor at DePaul is... Dr. Patrick Murphy. I had the opportunity in taking MGT 300 with Dr. Murphy during the winter quarter of my junior year. Dr. Murphy is one of the most dynamic professors I have come across. His teaching style is extremely unique; he brings a high level of energy to his classroom. He incorporates the application of managerial tools, concepts and practices in a practical manner while set to a real-world atmosphere.
The class I most enjoyed here was... FIN 330 – Investments: Securities and Markets. I have always been interested in the financial markets; the idea of using investment instruments to create profits is intriguing. FIN 330 gave me a better insight into the operations of various markets, the variety of investment instruments and the opportunity to create and manage a virtual investment portfolio. In addition to my interest for the subject, I had a great professor, Dr. Joseph Vu, for the course.
When I have free time, I like to... Well, most of my free time is taken up by my academics and the organizations I belong to. When I get some down time I like to contribute to my fraternity, the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity at the University of Illinois at Chicago, by serving as an advisor to the chapter.
My favorite thing to do off campus is... hang out with my fraternity brothers and friends while exploring the city. I enjoy hitting the movies over at AMC River East 21, catching the games on the weekends and checking out the nightlife scene.
One thing I didn’t know about DePaul before coming was... the fact that we have two Chicago campuses. Of the many years I have heard of DePaul I was not aware of their Loop Campus. Being a commerce student, the Loop Campus is where I take the majority of my classes. In my opinion, each campus has its own unique culture.
The greatest thing about going to school in Chicago is... the diversity of the city. Apart from having that big city feel, but with a friendlier atmosphere, Chicago has so much to offer. Its culture is second to none when you combine its diverse nightlife, restaurants, events, music, theater and arts.
As a finance major, one of the things that has been unique about my College of Commerce experience... has been participating in the Finance Honors Program. Outside of the challenging curriculum, supportive professors and the high-caliber students, the program nurtures and further helps develop students’ soft-skills which are so critical in the job market today. It does so by exposing the participants to a multitude of networking opportunities, presenting financial professionals as guest speakers and giving students an insight into what a company looks for in a candidate. Being in the program has made me a better rounded individual from an employer’s perspective.
The best thing about DePaul is... the assortment of opportunities the university offers. Being located in Chicago, DePaul not only has the ability to offer great student organizations through the office of Student Life, but also through the city itself. The experience is unique to DePaul and not found at many schools on such a prominent scale.
My greatest success as a student here has been... my academic achievement. The hard work and sacrifice put toward my studies has opened doors for me that have given me the opportunity to continue to grow. Just as importantly, I value the bonds I have developed with fellow students and faculty. I am thankful for being a part of the Finance Honors Program and just as equally, for having the opportunity to interact with some of the brightest, most motivated and high achieving individuals I have come across. They each bring a unique element to the program and I value their camaraderie.
After graduation, I plan to... work as a financial analyst for a mid-to-large size company. Within the next five years, I want to receive my CFA and CFP designations and earn my MBA. I am considering attending The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business or DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business for my master's in business administration.
The one thing I’d like to say to students considering DePaul... if you’re looking for an environment full of life, a challenging curriculum and the ability to engage with a diverse set of students and professors, then DePaul University is the right fit for you. The opportunities DePaul offers are many, and being located in Chicago further enhances those opportunities. Take a look into DePaul University and experience its unique culture.
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