Name: Amy Zhang
Year: Senior
Hometown: McLean, Virginia
Major: Finance and Information Systems
Study Abroad: Hong Kong, New York, London, Brussels, Amsterdam
Instagram: @amizzamo
Favorite Animal: Killer Whales
Favorite “Go To Work” Clothes: J.Crew, Banana Republic, Nordstrom and Theory.
Q: Why did you choose Finance?
I’ve always seen it as useful. Something that would help you work in a bunch of different industries. Every company needs someone with the knowledge of finance, and it applies to a wide variety of jobs in any industry.
Q: Are you in a business fraternity? What it’s like?
Yes! I’m in the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. It’s a relatively new and small chapter, but it’s one of the more diverse ones. It was easy to get to know people when I first rushed, and they helped figure out what I wanted to do in my career. They guided throughout the whole process of internships, before and after getting them.
Q: What were the internships you did?
In high school, I went to Beijing for the summer to intern at China Gaoxin Investment Company. It made me realize I wanted to study business in college.
In the summer after freshman year, I interned in the U.S. House of Representative because I had watched a bunch of political shows like “House of Cards,” “Scandal” and “Veep.” It was super cool to work on Capitol Hill. The representative I worked with, Barbara Comstock, was a huge advocate for feminism, which inspired me.
The summer after sophomore year, I interned at Child Care Aware of America as a data analyst. It was a cubicle desk job, so it wasn’t as exciting, but it gave me insight on how data can be compiled to show which programs in the company needed more support. I remember doing a lot of PowerPoint presentations, and Excel that summer.
In the second semester of junior year, I started looking for jobs. It was nerve-wracking. By the end of the year, I got an internship at Ernst and Young (EY), which is the company I will be working for after I graduate. During the internship, I conducted IT audits for the EY company in Virginia. I enjoyed the work environment in EY because they have many initiatives to promote diversity in the workplace, and gender equality.
Q: So, you’re working for Ernst & Young after you graduate, huh?
Yes… I am very excited. I will be moving to Seattle after I graduate to work in their risk advisory practice there. I chose to go to Seattle because I’ll be able to work with big companies like Starbucks, Microsoft, and Amazon who are clients there, and I also wanted to leave the DMV area because I’ve been here all my life. Seattle was just the perfect place to go.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to have worked for three to five years, and then go back to school to get an MBA.
Q: What will you be doing in the summer after you graduate?
For the summer, I will be going to Greece, maybe Turkey. Then after, my friend, who is getting married, will be spending her special day in Utah so I’ll get to see the Canyons.
Q: Do you have any advice for someone with similar aspirations as you?
There are 86,400 seconds in a day, so don’t waste one. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, it should just have a purpose. Just remember to make the most out of everything.