There are many reasons why someone would choose to go to college. For me, it was a mix between a love of learning, a taste of adventure, and a look to the future. I originally chose to be a mechanical engineering major with the notion that I would surely have a job after I graduated. However, after just one and a half semesters I realized engineering is not for me. That being said, I wanted to stay in the college of ENS. I have always been a pretty strong math student, so I declared a major in applied math with a business concentration. I figured that the course work would allow be to monopolize my “mathy” brain and connect that to business scenarios.
Some may wonder if an applied mathematics major would use the information from their classes in the real world. To be completely honest, I don’t think I ever will use modern algebra or advanced calculus when I become a business analyst. However, I have gained invaluable problem-solving skills and logical thinking skills that I was able to utilize last summer as I completed an internship as a business analyst. I intend to use the same skills when I start a full-time position next summer.
The University of Tulsa allowed me to almost custom build my major to fit my interests. While I had to take a core set of math classes, I was able to choose some electives that aligned with statistics or data science. As for my business classes, I was able to get a foundation in economics and accounting. I also focused on developing technical skills by taking many CIS classes in programming, database management, and systems design. As a senior, I can honestly say that the University of Tulsa provided me with classes that were both interesting and helpful in preparing me for life after college.