As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2020, Jesse Alba from Downingtown, Pennsylvania has not had the typical final semester or commencement at UD due to the coronavirus outbreak. He, and his entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered.
Alba was nominated for this series by UD associate instructor of finance Richard Jakotowicz, who said, “Given how closely I worked with Jesse as his teacher, faculty advisor to the Blue Hen Investment Club and employer (he’s a lab assistant in the Trading Center), I saw first-hand how unique Jesse is and how lucky we were to have him at UD. His work ethic and his intellectual curiosity are inspiring to other students. He’s always asking thoughtful questions and shares his logic and thoughts with his fellow students. Most importantly, I observed Jesse raising the engagement level of his peers and raising the bar within the Investment Club to more thoughtful levels. Having worked in finance for over 20 years, I can say students like Jesse are few and far between.“
In this profile, Alba, a finance major, shared his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Q: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Alba: Entering college I did not know what life after graduation would look like in the slightest. Four years later I feel as though I have a much clearer vision of what my future holds. I also feel that Delaware has equipped me with the necessary skills and resources to succeed in the working world, for which I am very grateful.
Q: What is your favorite place at UD?
Alba: My favorite place on campus is the Geltzeiler Trading Center in Purnell Hall. The Trading Center is a place where students come together to learn from one another and it represents what Lerner is all about. While it is a place where I grew a tremendous amount professionally speaking, it also represents a place of camaraderie on campus and introduced me to many of my closest friends.
Q: What is the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Alba: FINC 312, Intermediate Financial Management, with Professor Mahmudi stands out as one of my most memorable classes in Lerner. While it was a challenging class, it confirmed my passion for corporate finance and is what I believe pushed me to pursue the career I will be beginning in the near future.
Q: What was your favorite signature UD experience?
Alba: The best decision I made during my time at UD was to get involved on campus. Joining Alpha Kappa Psi and the Blue Hen Investment Club changed the entire trajectory of my college experience for the better and I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of these two organizations. The friends and memories that I made during my time in the two will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Q: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Alba: To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means continuing to give back to the school that has given so much to me. Having had so much help and support from alumni during my time at UD, it is my hope to one day return the favor and do the same for future Lerner students. I am very proud and excited to be joining an incredible group of Lerner alumni.
Q: What are your plans following graduation?
Alba: Upon graduation I will be starting work at Citigroup. I will be joining Citi’s Equity Capital Markets team in New York City, New York.