A native of New City, N.Y., Jason Blotner graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as a double major in finance and business analytics.
Blotner was nominated for this series by Assistant Professor of MIS Edward Hartono. In this profile, Blotner shares his favorite UD memories, challenges he has overcome and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Blotner: Since my first semester at UD, I’ve become much more confident in myself and my abilities. I’ve also developed stronger leadership and communication skills through my involvement in different organizations and experiences on campus. I’ve learned how to balance responsibilities, step outside my comfort zone and take more initiative both academically and personally.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Blotner: One of the biggest challenges I faced during college was learning how to balance my social life while keeping up with exams, deadlines and other academic responsibilities. Learning how to maintain a healthy work-life balance took time, but I overcame it by planning ahead and creating a schedule for when I would complete assignments and study for each class. This helped me manage my time more effectively, stay organized and reduce stress during busy periods.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Blotner: My favorite signature UD experience was joining my fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho. It allowed me to build lifelong friendships and become more involved on campus. Serving as the finance chair also strengthened my leadership skills and gave me the opportunity to apply concepts I learned in the classroom to real-life situations and responsibilities.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Blotner: One professor who had a big impact on my UD experience was Polly Weir. After taking HOSP230 with her, my public speaking and communication skills improved significantly. Before her class, I used to get nervous before presenting in front of others, but her class helped me become more confident and comfortable presenting. Now, I actually enjoy public speaking and feel much more confident communicating in professional and academic settings.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Blotner: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means having the mindset to continuously grow throughout life. Whether through education, work experiences or personal challenges, I believe there is always something new to learn that can help me become a better leader, professional and person.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Blotner: My advice to incoming students would be to not be afraid to struggle or fail, because that is how you grow and learn the most about yourself. I would also encourage students to get involved on campus, whether through Greek life, clubs, sports or other organizations, because those experiences help you build friendships and make the most of your time at UD. Most importantly, enjoy every moment, because college goes by much faster than you think.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Blotner: Following graduation, I will be interning this summer with Wealth Enhancement Group in New York, N.Y. After the internship, I will be returning to UD in the fall to continue my master’s in finance program and complete my 4+1 degree. I’m looking forward to gaining hands-on industry experience this summer before returning to UD to continue my academic and professional growth.