College: Zimpleman College of Business
Major: Actuarial Science
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake?
A: I came to Drake because it was about the right size, distance from home, and had programs that I was interested in. There were also opportunities to be involved in band as a non-major participant and the campus traditions like painted street were something I wanted to learn more about and be a part of.
Q: What is your favorite campus memory?
A: My favorite experience at Drake was going on a J-Term trip to New Zealand. It was my first time abroad and it was great to experience it with other students and learn about the country firsthand. It also changed the way that I think about travel and about life. I’m much more comfortable with spontaneous experiences and operating without a plan than I was before going on the trip, and I made memories that will last a lifetime.
Q: How has Drake shaped who you are today?
A: I feel much more capable and resilient than I did when I came here at the start of my first semester. I wasn’t always successful on my first go at things here, but I’ve successfully juggled very rigorous workloads and challenging situations as a student. Through that, I’ve learned how to ask for help in certain situations, to take breaks and live life for a little while, and how to study and work efficiently under pressure.
Q: What is next for you after you graduate?
A: After I graduate, I will be moving to Denver, Colorado, to start a full-time role as an actuarial senior analyst at The Cigna Group. I interned there last summer, so I’m excited to go back and start my career there!
Q: Who has been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
A: My most important mentors during my time at Drake have been other students that I met through Gamma Iota Sigma. Sitting down with upperclassmen and asking them about their internships or how they study for actuarial exams helped me to be successful when it was time for me to pursue those opportunities. They also encouraged me to take on leadership positions in Gamma Iota Sigma which were very impactful learning experiences for me.
Q: Are you involved in any student organizations, groups, or community service work? Tell us about those experiences.
A: My biggest involvement at Drake has been in Gamma Iota Sigma and in Drake bands. Gamma Iota Sigma helped me to meet like-minded people with similar professional interests and gave me a community at Drake. I’ve had incredible opportunities to travel to professional conferences, be mentored and guided by other students, and give back to the organization through leadership. Serving as co-president of Gamma Iota Sigma has taught me so many lessons about leadership and management that make me more confident that I can take on higher-level roles in the workplace.
I’m also very grateful that I was able to participate in band at Drake as a non-major participant. Throughout my four years at Drake, I played in the wind symphony, marching band, Bulldog Brass, and Tiberius Saxophone Quartet. I also studied saxophone privately, entered solo and saxophone quartet competitions, and performed a senior recital this semester. No opportunity was closed off to me as a non-major, which isn’t the case at a lot of other schools, and makes me confident that coming to Drake was the right choice for me.
Q: How has Drake helped you prepare for your future career?
A: I think that the Zimpleman College of Business and the business fraternities within it have done a tremendous amount to prepare me for my career. Being exposed to constant networking events, professional presentations, and workshops helped me to constantly learn throughout my four years at Drake. Throughout my college journey, the Zimpleman staff and Gamma Iota Sigma have both provided ample opportunities to have my resume or cover letter reviewed, participate in mock interviews, and interview for internships during career fairs. The business core curriculum was very useful in gaining a broad business acumen and thinking about problems from a big-picture perspective. The industry speakers, conferences, and professional development presentations that were brought in by the student leadership of Gamma Iota Sigma enhanced my knowledge of the insurance industry and helped me to network my way into my first job. Overall, I’m able to ask more insightful questions and am confident that I have the communication and leadership skills that are necessary to be successful in the workplace.
Q: Based on your experience, what makes Drake special and sets it apart from other schools?
A: I think being in Des Moines is an aspect of Drake that is undersold. The other schools I was thinking about going to were not located in a city like Des Moines where there are ample internship opportunities and students can work in-person during the school year. Having access to so many insurance companies close by meant that my professors had connections, we were able to bring in more speakers in person, big events were hosted here, and I was able to have my first summer internship close by where it was a bit less scary. I also have friends who are interested in politics who were able to intern at the Iowa State Capitol downtown, which is less than 10 minutes from campus. I think the location has been more important to our campus experience than a lot of students realize.