As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2023, Garrett Mobley, a finance and financial planning and wealth management double major with a minor in international business from Towson, Maryland, has demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience during his time at UD. In this profile, Mobley shared his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Mobley was nominated for this series by UD Adjunct Faculty Dianne Leipold, who said, “Garrett’s interest, outreach and support to fellow students is what distinguishes him from others. It’s rare to see students go out of their way to help one another.In only this first half of the semester, I’ve seen Garrett’s outreach a number of times.
“He’s always early to class, talking with those he knows (he seems to know everyone), offering suggestions on how to go about work in another class or showing interest in other’s welfare. He is also an excellent student, consistently coming prepared to class with notes taken outside of class, taking hand-written notes in class (a sight I rarely see these days), and eagerly participating in discussion.”
In this profile, Mobley shared his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Mobley: My most consequential change from my first semester to now is my confidence. I began my freshman year with trepidation and only a rough idea of what I wanted to do for a career. I’ve since discovered a love of learning and am committed to building a career in wealth management.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Mobley: My biggest challenge while at UD was narrowing my courses of study. I developed a love of Spanish language and culture early in my tenure at UD, while studying abroad. I initially pursued a minor in Spanish, but had to switch to an international business major with a language to ensure I met the graduation requirements within four years.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Mobley: My signature experience at UD was the World Scholars program. Through this program, I studied abroad in Madrid and Barcelona during my freshman and junior years, respectively. I discovered new perspectives on diversity and cultural awareness, which will serve me well in the global economy.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Mobley: Any graduate of UD’s Lerner College of Business is a “Lifelong Lerner.” It means that they have been prepared to respond to challenges of the future and will always represent UD with pride.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Mobley: The best advice that I received from my parents that I want to pass on to freshmen is to “use college as a time to not only figure out what I want to be but to figure out who I want to be.” The habits and work ethic that we develop at UD will form the basis of our future success.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Mobley: I credit Professor Rich Jakotowicz with confirming my selection of my wealth management major. Through his shared experiences and expertise, I became familiar with the field of finance and gained the confidence to pursue a related career and a master’s degree. He also wrote my letter of recommendation for UD’s 4+1 finance program.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Mobley: Next year, I will be continuing my time at Lerner and will be pursuing a master’s in finance. I am excited for the new challenges I will face, expanding my network, and deepening my knowledge of finance.