A rushing river is when the current and everything that gives into it moves forward with unstoppable energy. That is the best way I can describe what I feel when an idea flows into my brain and my thoughts are all consumed by my desire to complete it. This is exactly what swam through my head when I came up with the idea to create The Opportunity Fund Club.
Like a dam to flowing water, everything stopped, and the possibility of building an organization that could help others further their knowledge and careers excited every fiber of my being. What was most enticing was the challenge. I have always been one to swim against the current for the betterment of who I am as a person, and the biggest challenge I could put myself through was becoming a part of The Opportunity Fund Project. The chance to broaden my knowledge in the world of business, more specifically Investment Management and Analysis, was one I couldn’t turn down. Although I was throwing myself in the deep end, I knew there would always be a way to bring myself to shore. But, once I dove deeper into the concept of The Opportunity Fund Project, I knew there was a gap that needed to be filled.
Efforts for inclusion and equity were being made in the program, but it could never reach its full potential; until, there it was, the perfect way for me to swim against the current one more time. Inclusion for all of those who can’t be a part of the program due to certain eligibility requirements and capacity constraints. Their interest is notable, but where do they fit?
The river twisted in ways it never had before. My mission is to create an organization where we foster collaboration, diversity, and forward-thinking. The focus is on providing financial literacy education, fostering philanthropic initiatives, and creating tangible career development opportunities through internships and networking events.
The goal is to build a team of students who are looking for opportunities that push themselves beyond their comfort zone. All who seek challenges and want to connect with like-minded individuals in a place where ideas are nurtured are welcome. My desire is to create a special environment where our investing skills will be developed and refined. Creating an organization with these objectives is a quest I am excited to pursue. I know there will be unexpected challenges and changing conditions will be faced, but as long as my goal is in sight, it is attainable.
The Opportunity Fund Club aims to demystify the daunting world of investing. I once thought that certain things were meant to be done by specific people but quickly realized, through personal experiences, that idea is wrong. If you are interested in something and your craving for knowledge of the topic is insatiable, grab uncertainty by the head and say “Here is exactly where I will succeed.”
I always believed a change in the tide that could help me swim faster and further would occur. For me, that was meeting my mentor, Steve Wilson. He showed me that having passion behind your projects is what drives them to succeed. Throughout the process of creating this organization, Steve has advised me not only on how to build a strong team but also how to strengthen and broaden my own leadership and managerial skills. One of my life mottos is “It only takes one person to believe in you and give you an opportunity for your career to catapult,” and Steve Wilson has been that for me at UConn.
If there is one thing I have grasped from the creation of The Opportunity Fund Club, it is that the best way to learn is to jump in the deep end and figure out a way to swim, no matter how strong the current is. Things have not always gone my way, some people have not shared my vision, and doubtful thoughts have occurred to me, but I have the confidence that I can lead this organization and everything it stands for. As a young woman who is used to swimming against the current, whether by choice or necessity, I look forward to providing a platform to students where they can learn without boundaries, regardless of their prior knowledge, and explore their interests dynamically and collaboratively. The Opportunity Fund Club will be a space to grow and shape the future of business and investment management, a place where the river is always flowing.
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