A native of Blackwood, N.J., Katie Redfearn graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with majors in finance and marketing and a minor in international business.
Redfearn was nominated for this series by Lerner Communications. In this profile, Redfearn shares her favorite UD memories, challenges she has overcome and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Redfearn: I believe I am more confident in my abilities to network, public speak and execute projects. I am much more comfortable asking for help when I need it, and I know now through four years of learning and experience that when I am given a task, I will get it done to the best of my ability. This is something that happened over time. The more experience I got in planning events for my clubs and working on projects for my classes and internships, the more confident I became throughout these four years.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Redfearn: Having two majors and a minor was very difficult to manage! I felt very confident in my marketing classes, but when I decided to add a finance major after my sophomore year, I had many moments where I questioned my decision. I found my finance classes to be much more challenging, and I noticed that I had to put a lot more time into studying and preparing for my finance exams because these concepts did not come naturally to me. I had many days where I started to regret adding the major because it was so difficult. However, now that I am through all those classes and exams, I am so happy that I kept my finance major. Those classes challenged me to be the best student I could be and made me use my critical thinking and analytical skills that I hadn’t gotten to use much in my other classes. The preparation for exams was crucial, and I became more confident by taking these classes and even excelling in some of them. I know now that when I am given a challenge, I have the ability to rise to the occasion.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Redfearn: My favorite UD experience was planning and attending the Lerner Student Advisory Board’s (LSAB) Annual Spring Fling Event each year! I joined LSAB my freshman year, and I had the pleasure of being involved with the planning and execution of this event all four years of my college experience. It is usually outside of Purnell Hall at the end of spring semester with games, UDairy ice cream, raffles and music. It is a great opportunity to get outside and meet other members of the Lerner community and celebrate the hard work we put into the semester. We have so much fun planning and attending each year!
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Redfearn: Laura Field is hands down my favorite professor at UD. I had her for FINC311: Principles of Finance, and she is the reason I decided to declare a finance major. Her class was difficult, but the way she taught the course was very straightforward. Her teaching made me realize that I could go into finance. She puts so much effort into her courses, and she truly cares about every student and their success. I am so thankful that I had her for my first finance class!
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Redfearn: Being a Lifelong Lerner means working hard at everything you do and remembering where you came from. Being a Lerner student not only taught me so much in the classroom about finance and marketing, but also about being compassionate, considerate and empathetic. Every member of the Lerner community has always been nothing but kind to me, and I hope to bring that, along with a strong work ethic, into my future career.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Redfearn: My advice would be to say yes to as much as you can! You only get four years here and they fly by so quickly. You definitely do not want to have any regrets when graduation comes, and I don’t think you’d ever regret saying yes to a great opportunity, spending time with friends or trying something new.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Redfearn: I will be working at JPMorgan Chase in its Corporate Analyst Development Program!