Shreya Komire
As a freshman student this past school year, Shreya gained firsthand experience interacting with Canfield BHP’s extensive network of alumni and corporate recruiters. Her time in Canfield BHP and its official student organization, Honors Business Association, have guided Shreya through her career exploration and helped her earn an internship in the finance industry.
Read on to learn more about Shreya’s freshman year experience, her career exploration, and her advice for incoming freshman students!
1.) How did you get involved with the Canfield BHP community as a freshman?
I got involved with the Canfield BHP community through the Honors Business Association (HBA) by participating on the corporate relations committee. The committee gave me the opportunity to not only meet other Canfield BHP students, but even plan events for the Canfield BHP community.
2.) How have you interacted with Canfield BHP alumni over the past year?
I have interacted with Canfield BHP alumni by attending and hosting HBA events and meetings. Many of the companies who are HBA corporate sponsors bring their employees who are Canfield BHP alumni, so I have had the opportunity to interact and network with Canfield BHP alumni one-on-one at HBA general meetings. Attending HBA events like the Annual Company Dinner (while also planning it!) has given me the opportunity to interact with some alumni over dinner and learn more about their Canfield BHP journey. I also recently hosted an HBA event, and through that I met with quite a few Canfield BHP alumni to invite them to our event.
3.) How has Canfield BHP helped you in your career exploration and prepared you for the professional world?
Canfield BHP has helped me in my career exploration and prepared me for the professional world by giving me insight into different careers and industries. Canfield BHP has classes and events that have opened my eyes about recruiting, networking, interviewing, and interning. For example, through the Professional Development and Career Planning Honors class (BA 101H), I had the opportunity to learn about the various recruitment processes specific to different industries. Having insight into the recruitment process for finance, for example, helped me determine the preparation I needed to do going into the interview stage, which led me to land a 2024 summer internship at a financial corporation. Gaining that valuable insight has been significant to understanding the intricacies of the recruitment/networking process and learning what workplace etiquette looks like.
4.) As the Corporate Relations VP for the Honors Business Association, how are you planning to help connect Canfield BHP students to corporate recruiters during the upcoming school year?
I’m planning to help connect Canfield BHP students to corporate recruiters by not only bringing on a diverse array of corporate sponsors, but hosting various corporate events. I hope to host social events and networking events for Canfield BHP students to connect with corporate recruiters in a more intimate setting. An idea that I hope to further expand on this year is working to highlight career opportunities that connect students’ passions with their career aspirations, whether that be in the entertainment, sports, retail, healthcare, law, startup, service, FinTech, etc. industries. My goal is to give Canfield BHP students more exposure to the networking and recruitment process by trying to connect students’ passions with their futures, and I hope the events and meetings we put on can help bridge that gap!
5.) What was your favorite memory from your freshman year at UT Austin?
My favorite memory from my freshman year at UT Austin was attending the Canfield BHP Leadership Kickoff. Although I was nervous to attend the retreat, by the end of the trip, I had made new friends and had a whole new set of experiences. The Leadership Kickoff ended up being a great time to have fun playing the games, compete with other students, and build genuine connections with our respective groups. As a result of the kickoff, my group had built a bond that carried over into our class, making each interaction in the classroom just as memorable.
6.) What advice do you have for incoming freshman students to help them make the most of their Canfield BHP experience?
My advice for incoming freshman students to help them make the most of their Canfield BHP experience is to take advantage of opportunities and try new things. There are many unknowns coming into freshman year and, at times, the loads of resources that are available may be overwhelming. Taking the time to explore different opportunities whether that be related to student organizations or career aspirations is beneficial to make the most of the Canfield BHP experience. Exploring all opportunities will help freshmen not only find their passions, but meet lots of their fellow Canfield BHPeers, who might just become their friends!