During a trip to New York, I had a chance encounter that ended up opening a door I didn’t expect. I was in a Starbucks waiting in line when I noticed the person in front of me wearing a full suit. Being in New York, I figured there was a decent chance he worked in a field where suits were still the norm. I almost kept to myself, but in a quick decision to step out of my comfort zone, I asked what he did for a living. He told me he was an investment banker at Barclays. I expected a short answer and a polite end to the conversation, yet he was open and engaged, and we ended up talking for more than an hour. What stood out was how easy the conversation felt once it started. I asked questions, listened closely, and focused on learning instead of trying to sound impressive. He asked about my background, what I was studying, and what areas of finance I was interested in. The conversation turned into advice, perspective, and an honest look at what the work feels like day to day. Before we left, he offered to introduce me to a friend in Sales and Trading. That introduction led to an invitation to visit the trading floor. The best way I can describe it is feeling like a kid in a candy shop, except the candy shop was a trading floor packed with traders calling out prices and Bloomberg screens flashing charts and headlines as markets moved in real time. The energy was intense and focused, and everything moved with purpose. Watching how quickly information turned into decisions made the environment feel real in a way that is hard to get from reading about markets or hearing about them secondhand. What stayed with me just as much was the chain of events that got me there. A simple question led to a conversation, then an introduction, then an experience that made a career path feel tangible. It reminded me that opportunities can come from unexpected places, and that relationships are often built through small interactions followed by genuine curiosity and follow-through. I left that visit with a clearer sense of what I want and how I want to pursue it. The trading floor had an energy that felt natural to me, and the way I got there reinforced the value of being willing to take a small risk. Next summer I’ll be joining Barclays in New York as a Sales and Trading intern, and I plan to bring that same willingness to be bold into the opportunities I pursue.

My interest in finance began when I saw firsthand the impact that poor financial decision-making can have on individuals and families, which sparked my desire to understand how money can be managed responsibly to create long-term stability. At UCLA, I study Business Economics and minor in Statistics and Data Science, and I’ve been fortunate to gain experience across public finance, wealth management, commercial banking, and a hedge fund, plus private equity this past summer at TPG. Through Girls Who Invest, I also received intensive training at Wharton in core investment and valuation concepts. Together, these experiences strengthened my interest in institutional markets and confirmed the direction I want to take in my career. Next summer, I will be interning at Barclays in New York in Sales and Trading. Outside of internships, I volunteer with Los Angeles Team Mentors, working with middle school students in underserved communities. As I’ve progressed, I’ve become more aware of the hurdles that can push women away from finance early, and one of the biggest is timing. The traditional pipeline starts earlier than most people realize, with recruiting often beginning sophomore year for junior-year internships that can lead to return offers. When someone learns this too late, they can miss key entry points through no fault of their own. That risk is even higher for women who do not have older peers, mentors, or networks explaining what to prioritize and when. A concrete way I’ve already worked to make a difference is by building earlier access and clearer guidance for young women. I’m currently structuring a scholarship initiative for high school students interested in finance, with an emphasis on supporting young women. This matters to me because early exposure changes outcomes. Without guidance on which classes to take, what extracurriculars to join, and which technical skills to start building, students can enter college already behind the timeline that finance recruiting often expects. The scholarship’s goal is to encourage earlier exposure to finance and give students practical direction while they are still shaping their academic and career paths. At UCLA, I’ve also tried to close the awareness gap through an open-door approach to mentorship. I make time for students who reach out because I remember what it felt like to be on the other side, trying to understand timelines, expectations, and how to position myself without having every answer upfront. I help with recruiting basics, resume reviews, interview practice, and talking through role differences so students can make informed choices and build confidence in their story. I’ve seen how quickly someone’s confidence improves when they have clarity, structure, and consistent support. Going forward, I plan to stay involved with Girls Who Invest because the training and community had a real impact on my growth. As I enter Barclays and continue building my career, I want to remain accessible to women coming after me and contribute to spaces where questions are welcomed and guidance is easy to find. My goal is simple: help make the path into finance clearer earlier, so more women stay in it, succeed in it, and feel supported doing so.