Student Spotlight: Monica Villarreal

 

Monica Villarreal

Monica Villarreal is a Class of 2024 student majoring in Canfield Business Honors and Management Information Systems with a minor in Accounting. Growing up in Harlingen, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, Monica developed her commitment to giving back. Throughout her time at UT, Monica has combined her impact-oriented perspective with her passion for traveling to take advantage of various international opportunities. As she embarks on journeys worldwide, Monica also journals daily on her trips – a four-year-old habit that immortalizes her vibrant memories.

Her college international experiences began the summer after her sophomore year when she interned in Querétaro, Mexico as a User Experience Designer. Even though she visits Mexico for family frequently, this was a drastically different experience, as it was Monica’s first time working in a foreign country and experiencing the workplace culture. Beyond building tangible skills such as constructing websites with Figma, this internship helped Monica realize her passion for learning Spanish and connecting with her heritage.

Eager to further explore, Monica studied abroad in Bilbao, Spain at the University of Deusto during the spring semester of her junior year. In Spain, Monica took International Business and Cross-Cultural Communication courses, all while practicing her Spanish skills. This five-month period was highly formative for Monica, as the independence of living alone gave her immense courage. Despite the initial stress and fear, she learned to trust and rely on herself.

The pinnacle of her global adventures came during her junior summer in Oaxaca, Mexico, as part of the UT Global Career Launch program. In Oaxaca, Monica consulted for DAVA Artisanal Footwear Co., a group of indigenous Zapotec artisans making contemporary footwear inspired by ancient designs. Working alongside UT students from diverse majors, Monica helped the business develop various solutions regarding scaling production and quality control. Learning to become more empathetic and flexible by adapting her knowledge of business practices with the local perspective, Monica believed her junior summer experience was the “most impactful thing [she has] ever done.” Additionally, Monica also had the opportunity to live closely with an indigenous family and absorbed the vibrant Oaxacan culture. This experience was also instrumental in helping Monica realize that she does not want to work in a traditional corporate job – instead, she much preferred the impact-oriented environment.

Post graduation, Monica will be on the road again through two other Global Career Launch programs. First, she will work in Mindo, Ecuador for six weeks with an association of artisan panela (a type of sugar) producers seeking support to expand their distribution channels. Next, Monica will travel to Hiroshima, Japan, to support an AI image sensory technology startup with marketing for a few months.

Reflecting upon her college experience, Monica believes that the Canfield Business Honors Program has been extremely beneficial in supporting her academic and professional ambitions. Monica says she has found a family in Canfield BHP filled with great friends and helpful academic advisers.

Monica emphasizes the value of studying and working abroad. Additionally, she wants students to do their best to enjoy their time in college, saying that “it is easy to get lost in trying to do well for your career and academics, but it is the journey that matters.”

Alumni Spotlight: Katherine Chen

Katherine Chen

Katherine Chen is a Senior Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, currently on secondment at One Acre Fund in Nairobi, Kenya. Katherine is from Plano, TX and graduated from UT Austin in 2021. Katherine has lived and studied across the world ranging from Latin America, Europe, and Africa. In her free time, you can find her hiking, taking photos, learning a new language, practicing yoga, or curating Spotify playlists.

Katherine has been working in Nairobi, Kenya for the past seven months through One Acre Fund. One Acre Fund is an NGO (non-governmental organization) that supports over 4 million smallholder farmers in Africa with asset-based financing and climate-smart agricultural training services. Katherine has admired this organization since she watched the CEO of the organization, Andrew Youn, speak in his Ted Talk titled “3 reasons why we can win the fight against poverty.” In her current role, Katherine designs and implements large-scale change management projects to strengthen the organization’s performance. She is currently leading a goals campaign alongside the incoming CEO to help staff connect their work to the organization’s 2030 Impact Vision of serving 10 million farmers annually. In October and November of last year, she traveled to rural western Kenya and spent time in the field visiting the farmer families. She recalled this trip as an eye-opening and humbling experience, being able to talk with the farmers and learn about their aspirations for the future.

During her time at UT, she majored in Finance and Iberian and Latin American Languages and Cultures (Spanish), with a certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofits. Katherine says that she has always been interested in how businesses can be forces for good and was drawn to Canfield BHP because of the freedom it gave her to explore this path.

Katherine reminisces on her time as a student in Canfield BHP and says that she most cherishes the lifelong friends she made through the program. “It’s rare to find a community in which everyone is so bright and ambitious, yet incredibly caring and supportive of one another. Whether it be causing mayhem in our freshman dorms, watching the World Cup while abroad in Buenos Aires, bracing our first “winter storm” together, or graduating in a global pandemic, I’m grateful to have had these people beside me through it all.”.

Katherine says her academic journey at UT helped her conceptualize the type of career path she wanted to take after graduating. Her business classes helped her discover her passion for strategic problem-solving and innovative thinking. Through her classes in the School of Social Work, she realized she wanted to use these skills for the purpose of impact. She was pleasantly surprised to find how much intersectionality exists between the private, public, and social sectors. Outside of the classroom, Katherine was involved in leading the university’s student philanthropy organization, the Student Foundation. As President, she spoke across lecture halls and meetings to rally support for students affected by food insecurity, mental health crises, family emergencies, and natural disasters. Through this work, she learned the importance of human empathy combined with storytelling to inspire others.

Katherine recalls one of her favorite experiences from college, NOLS: “Besides sleeping next to (our favorable CBHP advisor) Steph in a tent and getting caught in an unexpected snowstorm, one thing I did not expect to learn from the trip was the concept of Type 1 vs. Type 2 fun. Type 1 fun is pure fun in the moment. Type 2 fun is challenging in the moment, but rewarding in retrospect. NOLS was both, but I realized I found much more fulfillment in the latter. It’s hard to describe the feeling of accomplishment after spending eight days in the mountains – it shattered my perspective of what I was truly capable of. Because of NOLS, I now actively seek opportunities to push myself outside of my comfort zone, including my career decisions.” She continues telling us how NOLS has impacted her interests: “Since NOLS, I can admit that I’ve developed an addiction to multi-day treks. The summer after graduating, I flew to Europe to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, a 105-mile loop that crosses through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Now that I’m in East Africa, I’m lucky to be surrounded by the most beautiful treks. I hiked Mount Kenya in October of last year, and summited Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, on Christmas Day.”

When asked what advice Katherine has for students interested in pursuing a career in consulting, she answered, “Think about why you want to pursue a career in consulting. Though rewarding, it’s not an easy job, and it helps to have a sense of purpose behind what you’re doing. Personally, I saw consulting as the best way to hone my problem-solving and stakeholder management skills that would be critical to a career in the development space. And more importantly, be kind to yourself during the recruiting process. In a program like Canfield BHP where you’re constantly surrounded by other high achievers, it’s easy to get caught up in the rat race. Continue to prioritize your hobbies, your relationships, and your mental health. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received that I remind myself to this day is, ‘Chill out and enjoy the ride. Life has a way of pushing you to the brightest, shiniest next thing. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.’”

Student Spotlight: Parth Thakkar

Parth Thakkar

Texas is a long way from Parth Thakkar’s home in Naperville, Illinois. Yet Parth, a Canfield BHP freshman, quickly adjusted to life as a Texas Longhorn, and he now works as a campus tour guide to encourage prospective students to join us at UT. In this role, Parth enjoys sharing his enthusiasm and UT pride with those on his tour to help them fall in love with the Forty Acres.

Read on to learn more about Parth’s experience as an out-of-state student and his work as a tour guide! 

1.) Why did you initially decide to commit to UT and Canfield BHP?

The first time I visited UT for Discover Canfield BHP, I’d had a rough night’s sleep the night before in my cousin’s dorm room, followed by a long day and another late flight back home. Honestly in that time, I’d been more focused on keeping my eyes open than thinking about the next four years of my life. However, I later got to know more about Canfield BHP’s opportunities and resources, and after talking to several high school alumni currently at UT, I decided to commit. I’m glad to say I did, as I’ve grown to love everything about UT, from the wonderful weather (most of the year) to the lively city, as well as all of the people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet.

2.) What has it been like adapting to college life as an out-of-state student?

I was definitely worried about the social scene coming into college; I knew only one other person from my high school attending UT. However, this worry quickly dissolved during the first week of classes and events as I got to know most of my Canfield BHP class and many other students from around the country, especially Texas. It has also been nice to be able to visit home in Naperville from time to time, as seeing my family and friends has definitely helped with the transition.

3.) What does a typical day as a Canfield BHP student look like for you?

For my first semester, my days would typically be split into four parts. In the mornings and afternoons, I would either go to classes or give tours, depending on the day. In between, I had a two hour break, which is when I liked to hit Gregory Gymnasium, get lunch, and start doing work for my classes. The last block, evenings, entirely depended on the day. It would range anywhere from staying in and reading a book to taking a bus down to Zilker Park to see the lights with my friends.

4.) With one semester done so far, which class has been your favorite?

About a minute into the first day of class, I had decided I was going to drop my UGS. I’d walked in a few seconds late, and it seemed as if I’d already missed an entire lecture on climate change. However, despite my determination to drop, I eventually decided to give it a second chance. That ended up being a great decision, as it soon became my favorite class of the semester. From late night study sessions to remixing “Shut Up and Dance” – Sustaining a Planet version, I made both memories and friends I’ll remember for a long time to come.

5.) You’ve recently started work as a campus tour guide for the UT Office of Admissions. Why did you decide to become a tour guide, and what’s your favorite part of the job?

The energy I’d been met with while touring many different campuses was one I’d grown to truly admire. Whether it was Stanford or UCSB, all of the guides had shown incredible enthusiasm and obvious affection for their school, and it was because of them that I’d fallen in love with the places I’d visited. I knew that I wanted to spread that same enthusiasm and affection to future students no matter where I ended up going, and to this day that remains the highlight of every one of my tours.

6.)  While on tour, what advice do you give to prospective out-of-state students regarding college admissions?

I strongly believe in the idea that everyone ends up where they’re meant to be, which is what I tell high school students who come to visit UT. However, I know decisions also reflect the work students have done, so I advise them to show that work and to let their enthusiasm speak for itself, and I tell them that as long as they allow their excitement to come through in writing, they’ve put themselves in a good position.

 

Event Recap: Sizzle and Quizzle

On January 25, The Canfield BHP community gathered for Sizzle and Quizzle (formerly named Community BBQ) for some fajitas and trivia night! Representatives from Dell, PwC, H-E-B, and Bank of America joined in on the food and fun and sat amongst the students for some healthy competition. Students were able to enjoy their meal and connect on a more personal level with representatives from Canfield BHP corporate sponsors.

After the fajita buffet wrapped up, the real fun of the night began, TRIVIA! The Canfield BHP Staff was hoping to reclaim their championship title after last year’s loss. But, after 3 rounds of trivia ranging from food, general knowledge, and pop culture, Team Antibiotics 2.0 reigned supreme Thursday night. Team Antibiotics 2.0 was able to claim the win by only missing one question the entire night.

We asked Alyssa, a member of the winning team Antibiotics 2.0, what she likes the most about this annual event, and she said, “I look forward to Sizzle and Quizzle every year. It’s always a great opportunity to make new friends within cohorts, network with companies, and participate in healthy competition over good food!”

Student Spotlight: Christy Zhuang

Christy Zhuang

After just one semester at college, Christy Zhuang has already made her mark on the Forty Acres—one picture at a time. Whether she is taking headshots for Honors Business Association members or capturing athletes in action as a UT RecSports photographer, Christy has kept herself busy as a first-year Canfield BHP student, photographer, and entrepreneur.

Read on to learn more about Christy’s entrepreneurial journey and her future plans for her business and career!

 

How did you first become interested in photography?

My photography journey began in 6th grade when I was on the yearbook staff. I despised taking photos on a camera, as I never understood how to work it. Plus, being a typical middle school student, I trusted my phone to do everything, including taking professional photos. I was a cross-country manager for the Ballinger Cross Country Team three years later. Not only was I in charge of keeping time or getting water, but the head coach also trusted me to run social media and overtake marketing for the team. I began taking photos on my phone of the runners during meets and would then upload them onto social media to share with the community, friends, and family. I received many compliments and positive feedback from the community. It was then that I realized how special photos are to people, especially those who are cheering their loved ones on from afar. They do say, “A photo is a ticket back in time to a moment otherwise gone.” Soon after, my dad bought me a Canon Rebel T7 Camera for my birthday in January 2021. Needless to say, my business took flight not long after.

 

How did your interest in photography spark your interest in entrepreneurship and lead to the creation of your business?

Once I received my camera, I was asked to take formal portraits of upperclassmen. They trusted me knowing my background and seeing my portfolio in sports photography. I charged a very small fee and delivered the photos promptly. I realized that I could capitalize on my talent. With my parents being hard-working immigrants, making me a first-generation student, I was determined to help out in any way that I could.  Having photography as a business meant that I had the financial freedom to purchase the things that I wanted and be able to pay business expenses. I loved the freedom photography gave me as I was able to create and be inspired by everything around me. I was able to set my hours and schedule sessions only when I wanted to, which helped my work-life balance. With my parents being restaurant owners and property managers, I was surrounded by entrepreneurs. I felt motivated and determined to start something of my own and shape it uniquely to my vision and passion.

 

What is your favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

Freedom is my favorite part about being an entrepreneur. I have always been an independent person, and photography allows me to be self-sustaining. Being able to pay and buy things through the money that I earned is extremely rewarding.

On the other hand, my favorite thing about photography is the new people I get to meet. It’s a special moment when a person or family trusts you to capture their core memories in life. Being able to make a difference in their life by creating a lasting impact is the best feeling in the world. An even greater feeling is when the client returns year after year and trusts you repeatedly with multiple different events in their lifetime. Those are the best of clients who turn into lifelong friends.

 

What challenge(s) have you faced, and what lessons have you learned while managing your business?

A challenge that I have faced is people disrespecting my work. Photography is a work of art. Therefore, whenever someone puts a filter over an image of mine that I took the time to edit and touch up, it is not a true reflection of my work and my brand as a business. To combat this, I have posted announcements regarding this issue, as it is illegal to do and is a copyright violation. When it does occur, I kindly ask the individual(s) to take down the image.

A lesson that I have learned is to charge for what I am worth. My time is valuable, and I should not let people use me for my talents and gain nothing in return. The skills that I have learned doing photography over time are invaluable and are knowledge that the average starting photographer does not know yet.

 

How has what you have learned in your Canfield BHP classes impacted your entrepreneurial endeavors?

In the fall, I took BA 324H, MAN 101H, and BA 101H. These classes contributed to the development of my character. BA 324H helped me become a better speaker in front of my peers. MAN 101H helped me understand myself better. BA 101H helped me envision my future and understand what needed to be done to achieve my goals.

Overall, these classes have laid a firm foundation for becoming a successful individual and a successful entrepreneur.

 

What are your future plans for your business?

Currently, I plan on continuing this passion of mine on the side and partaking in it minimally, as academics come first. In the future, I plan on having an in-home studio for clients and a studio in the city to rent out to other photographers. I plan on establishing a client closet (a wardrobe for clients to borrow for their sessions) and partnering with local printing companies to print photo books, yard signs, cards, etc. I am currently working on branded styling, location, and posing guides for the client’s personal use.

I also have an extension of graphic design services that I offer currently. In the future, I plan on expanding my knowledge in graphic design to better serve my clients.

 

What are your future career plans?

In the future, I plan on establishing a firm that combines consulting and marketing services. On the side, I aspire to be an interior designer who has a real estate license. Therefore, I would be able to design the homes, market the homes, sell the homes, and do real estate photography for the property.

In the far, far future, I would love to be a travel photographer, getting paid to travel and see the world through my lens and being able to share my love for life with my peers one click at a time.