Jenna O’Brien

Jenna O’Brien

School of Business and Management at Townview Center, 2019

At UT Dallas:

Sophomore in Finance

What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?

The best thing about UTD is that the community is open and diverse. It’s amazing to meet so many people from different backgrounds who I can share ideas with and become friends with. Jindal School has a wide range of resources and are geared to help guide me to be successful. It’s great to have such a supportive system in place for when you need it.

What’s most surprising about college?

It’s surprising how much freedom I have. It’s up to me to go to class, study and turn in assignments. No one is telling me what to do, which was definitely a shocker. Since being here, I have developed more self-motivation and time-management skills.

What is a class that you enjoyed?

I really enjoy my Business Communications class. It’s so important to know how to communicate effectively with others, especially in business. Those around you gain insight into who you are through what you say and do, and this can greatly impact a person’s future.

More from Scholars at Jindal School

Oscar Urrutia

Oscar Urrutia

At UT Dallas:

Junior in Healthcare Management

What's the most surprising thing about being in college?

The most surprising aspect of college is the amount of new information you learn in one hour when you go to class. There’s so much to process and that forces you to ask questions in order to understand the topic. This is critical to your development, since asking questions will enhance your understanding of objectives and the task at hand.

What is a class you enjoy and why?

I am enjoying Medical Terminology. The information I have learned has been fascinating. If I decide to pursue a career in a hospital setting, knowing medical terms will allow me to better interact with doctors and staff, while also making good decisions that support the hospital.

What is a class that was particularly hard that, in the end, you mastered?

The hardest class I have taken so far was Financial Accounting. If you have never taken anything related to accounting, the course gets really difficult really quickly. In all honesty, it took me a while to find a way to comprehend this class, but I developed new study habits and began solving practice problems to get better at recognizing different accounting scenarios. I finished the class with a good grade and with the relief knowing I was done with it.

Jason Manzala

Jason Manzala

At UT Dallas:

Junior in Finance

If you work off campus, are there things you’ve learned at UTD that you apply at work?

I work at CVS Pharmacy as an inventory specialist. I have learned at UTD about being able to adapt to different environments and this helped me learn the ins and outs of the pharmacy quickly. The critical thinking skills I acquired at UT Dallas helped me become an integral part of the pharmacy team.

What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?

The best thing about UT Dallas and Jindal School is the diversity and feeling of comfort overall. Being able to be in a community that is extremely diverse allows me to gain new experiences. When I am walking around the campus or in class, I feel like I am welcomed and that they are happy that I am there. It made me sad last year when we had to switch to online classes because of COVID19. It took away that feeling of comfort of being on campus.

What's the most surprising thing about being in college?

The most surprising thing about college is the amount of freedom I have. I was able to develop more as a person.

Giovanny Lopez

Giovanny Lopez

At UT Dallas:

Junior in Finance

What’s the most surprising thing about being in college?

The most surprising thing I have found out about college is how the professors and staff are so willing to help.

What is a class you enjoy and why?

A class I am enjoying right now it my Commercial Property Risk Management and Insurance class, mainly because it has opened my mind on how I view the different aspects and impacts of how risk is all around us.

What is a class that was particularly hard that, in the end, you mastered?

The most challenging class I have taken would be Business Law. By far this is the class I studied for the most and would not mind having to take it a second time!

Jacob Gonzalez

Jacob Gonzalez

At UT Dallas:

Junior in Accounting

What student groups or organizations are you involved in?

I’m a “family mentor” with the Undergraduate Success Scholars where I have the responsibility of mentoring four Jindal School freshmen. Mentoring these students allows me to answer their questions about academics, organizations, social life, careers and even more. I love hearing about their aspirations and interests. I can see my impact in their lives.

If you work off campus, are there things you’ve learned at UTD that you apply at work?

I work part-time at C&B Electric Co. in the estimating department. It’s really exciting when I can implement the skills I’ve learned at UT Dallas in my job. Everything from Excel spreadsheet tips to organizational behavior techniques have helped me thrive in the real world.

What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?

I met an amazing group of people during the summer before my freshman year thanks to the Academic Bridge Program. I think it’s very important for people to find a solid social community when they get to college. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable. I feel accepted and supported within my group of friends.

Samuel Villalobos

Samuel Villalobos

At UT Dallas:

Sophomore in Supply Chain Management

What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?

One of the best things about UT Dallas and Jindal School is how diverse the student body and faculty are. Everyone is so different, but in the end, it only brings us closer, allows us a richer college experience, and is a great steppingstone into the real world.

What’s most surprising about college?

From the moment I stepped foot on campus up until today, the most surprising thing about being in college is the level of freedom we have. There is guidance but we, as students, decide if this newfound freedom will make us or break us!

What is a class that you enjoy?

One of my favorite courses this semester is my International Business class. I find the various connections and entities involved in every single aspect of business very intriguing. My professor also goes the extra mile to ensure every student is successful.

UT Dallas Jindal School students in a campus coffee shop requestion information

Request Information

Thank you for your interest in the Naveen Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and we’ll send you customized information about our programs. We hope to meet you soon.

Request Information