Diego Fonseca
Name: Diego Fonseca
Age: 19
Major: Business Administration
College: Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
High School: Brownsville Early College High School, Brownsville, TX
Why UTRGV?
I chose to study at UTRGV because I know that they are growing and offering many opportunities for people to have access to an undergraduate education. UTRGV has many great scholarship programs, including the Tuition Advantage program. UTRGV also has many opportunities for people to develop personally and professionally. One of the things I really enjoy about UTRGV is how every professor I have had is always willing to help me achieve my goals, even after I finished taking their class. Overall, UTRGV feels like a support system that has helped me reach my goals of having an education.
What made you decide on your current major?
I chose to study in finance because I wanted to become more financially literate. During high school, I had a few friends who were invested in the stock market. I was interested in what it was, so I started to dabble in the subject, and I really enjoyed it. I decided to study finance after, and I have been enjoying my classes and learning a lot of real-world finance skills along the way.
How are you maneuvering being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic?
COVID has posed many challenges, including lack of motivation and being unable to take classes physically. Whenever I start to feel unmotivated, I always remind myself of why I am studying at the university in the first place. As a first-generation student, I want to graduate with a degree so that I could have the opportunity to get a good job and give back to my family. Whenever I start having trouble in classes, I always make sure to schedule office hours with my professors. They are always super helpful in class and go the extra mile to help. This makes me feel more comfortable in class and makes understanding the class concepts easier.
What are your greatest strengths and what are some challenges?
One of my greatest strengths is being able to work seamlessly with any group. During the COVID lockdown, I decided to join several clubs/organizations to spend my time doing something good. Joining these clubs consisted of working on a lot of projects to give back to our community. Because of COVID, we held our meetings virtually. I was able to work with many teams on many different occasions, which helped me develop my teamwork skills. One challenge that I have faced due to COVID is finding difficulty in nurturing friendships online. Since I don’t go out to in-person events that much, it can be hard maintaining a friendship, however I am always working on reaching out to my friends.
What do you hope to achieve beyond completion of your major?
After completing my BBA in Finance, I want to get a job at a consulting firm. More specifically, I would like to work in the sustainability field within consulting. I believe it is important for businesses to pursue a plan where they maintain the interest of both shareholders and stakeholders in mind. Protecting the environment with safe business practices is a win for everyone.
What do you like most about UTRGV?
I really enjoy the professors I have had at UTRGV. I have stayed connected with a couple of them after class, and they have become my mentors. They have been super helpful and nice with me and have helped me venture out into the professional world. I also like the beautiful Brownsville campus as well. It has a lot of great study spots.
What does being a Vaquero mean to you?
Being a Vaquero means being part of a community where we are all chasing our dreams and working for our education. I know UTRGV is going to continue to grow, and it is going to keep making headlines.
What opportunities has UTRGV helped you find throughout your community?
UTRGV has many clubs and organizations that are committed to helping the community, such as the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization and Enactus. I am also a part of the Greater Texas Foundation, which is an amazing program that helps individuals who went to an early college high school achieve their scholastic journey.
What advice do you have for fellow students pursuing degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
My advice is to find a support system, like friends or family, to help keep you on track and remind you of what is important. I would also say to join clubs so you can help your community while garnering professional experience at the same time.