I can’t believe I did it. I finished my second to last semester of my undergraduate academic career. I never imagined doing exams online with the webcam recording me or Zoom sessions, but this was the reality we all had to accept. This quarantine time has given me long hours to reflect and think about the past 3 years at UNF and what comes next. I still remember my first day as a freshman in college: Lost, scared, but excited. I graduate December 2020 and here I am yet again: lost, scared, but excited. I told a room of corporate donors at a scholarship banquet in March 2020 that I used to be scared of adulting, but UNF and the professors I’ve had reassured me of my future and showed they want me to succeed. This still holds true to me.
The more assignments and projects I did in core classes, the more I began to change my mind and question if I was cut out for the business world. I really thought on so many nights, “If this is what a *____insert career here____* does then I don’t want to do this!” I was slowly starting to lose drive and purpose in the major I picked and had so many doubts about myself. I began losing interest in obtaining a degree. I mean, I was still pushing myself to finish and I still am pushing myself now, but during the long and sleepless study nights, my mind had me thinking “WHY DO YOU NEED A DEGREE???” A class I took this spring semester shut me down so fast, and I thought I was going to have to switch from Finance to Management. An awesome professor helped me refocus and his exact words were, “You are willing to give up your dreams because you don’t want to calculate the value of a bond by hand?” This was at my refusal to continue the course. He reminded me, I should refuse to give up.
I have many inspirations in my life and friends and family who I admire and adore. Growing up, it was engraved in my brain education comes first. I used to be resentful of that, because I had my own plans too and other desires. My high school graduation announcements said nursing, but I was suddenly declared as a Management Information Systems major, and then later found out finance was more interesting to me. But here’s the stories that keep me going, the ones I think about and remember often:
When my mom was still living in Guiniyangan (Quezon Province) in the Philippines, she was selling Pandesal (Filipino bread) and fish at 4 A.M. when she was just 12 years old everyday, to help provide for her family. Mom used to skip McDonald’s and “Disco Parties” (clubbing) during college days, because those were luxury things. My dad was just in high school selling bottled waters and Marlboro on the highways of Manila just to get by. My God father (who ended up marrying my mom’s sister aka my Uncle) was always invited by his friends to eat out at a local restaurant near the high school. Uncle would rush to the restaurant to get their first, ask for a glass of water and a tooth-pick, so it looked like he already ate when his friends got there. My family didn’t starve for money or food, they starved for success and to make their dreams come true. They gave it their all to get where they are today. They’re giving me their all, so I can also go chase my dreams. I truly believe some of the qualities and personality traits I have come from them. I am not the smartest student GPA wise, but I am a determined. My parents came to the United States in their early 20s and I look back and admire their fearlessness. In many ways, I find myself taking leaps of faith just like they did. Every time I doubt myself, think college wasn’t for me, or complain about the littlest things, I remember I am here because I do believe in myself, but others believed in me. Study abroad, banquets, FL Prepaid, you know, none of it was ever possible without my parents support and prayers. At the end of the day, these past 3 years have been so much fun: learning, exploring, rock climbing, networking, building bonds, every moment for me counted.
This quarantine time worried me about what career I want after graduation, and I go from telling myself: “You can always switch jobs if you don’t like the first one”, “the first one has to be the best job”, “You’re so unprepared for not knowing what you want right now” or the funny thought of “You won’t get to live your life and travel once you start working.” But, I’ve learned perception and perseverance is the key to a lot of things. So, whatever comes next, I said it in my speech at the banquet and wrote it here, so I’ll say it again, I will not be scared of what comes next. UNF’s Business school is built on the foundation of teamwork as any institution or company should be. All my years in college, and even before college, I’ve had amazing people in my life who have pushed me to my best and made me who I am today. I love finance and the business school. Most people stereotype finance to be cubicles, balance sheets, and the best one “You must be good at math.” I want to let everyone know right now, I am not good at math. While all these skills and materials are essential to be in the business world, finance is so much more than dollar signs and paper work. You have to love meeting people and be outgoing, you have to know how to hold a conversation, have great posture and eye contact, know how to tie a tie, know how to make your hair interview ready; and these are things we should be able to do, but forget to do. We are called to different things. And I now know, finance is for me.
My ideal job is something like this: I want to be able to use the knowledge and lessons I take away from the business school to help people and make a positive impact in someone’s life. I want to help people reach goals whether financially, academically, spiritually, big or small: a goal is a goal. Whether it’s financial planning, operations management, or sales, I will strive to make a difference in the lives of my clients, colleagues and anyone I encounter. There’s so many opportunities and options that I am keeping my eyes and mind opened to whatever it is and wherever it is (Big Apple, Golden State, or Beantown I’m coming for you.. eventually). I’ve seen so many jobs that don’t have the word finance in it but require knowing what finance is and how it works. I would love to be working as a director of development, and UNF’s Coggin College of Business has a great Asst. Director of Development, Caleb Garrett. I see his love for the job, and I want something like that too.
Never forget, surround yourself with people who build you up. Iron sharpens Iron. The only thing standing between you and your dreams is fear. Go chase them, and take that leap of faith.
JEREMIAH 17:7-8
“If you don’t learn the difference between someone who is against you and someone who challenges you, you’ll be pushing away nourishment for your soul to embrace those who starve it.” – Unknown
Jamie Vergara 