Where did you go to school and how did you decide your major? How did you decide to attend Notre Dame?
I am a senior studying Business Analytics at Notre Dame. I was originally a Finance major, but after taking a Data Analysis with Excel course in my freshman year, I realized that data analytics (more so than finance) was something I was good at and something I could genuinely see myself doing and enjoying in the future. And so, I made the switch and have never regretted it.
As for how I got to Notre Dame, it has always been a dream of mine to study in the US and branch out of the world I’ve known in the Philippines. I applied to a bunch of different schools here, and I heard about Notre Dame from a friend, saw it was an amazing school, and decided to apply there as well. I got in, and before I knew it, I was cheering “Go Irish.”
How did you choose healthcare consulting for your internship?
Back in high school, I was part of this club that did regular outreaches to the Philippine General Hospital which is a government-owned hospital in the Philippines. Each outreach, we walked around the children’s ward and handed out food and donations to the patients and their company. During these interactions, the family members would often confide in us and tell us about their situations—more on their child
’s illness, the wait they endured for beds space in the hospital, and their gratefulness that that wait is over.
Recalling these conversations, when I was conducting my job search and saw Pathstone Partners, a healthcare consulting firm, was recruiting—everything just made sense. I realized that I could use my skills in Business Analytics to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Working with healthcare systems and helping them become more efficient and optimized, in the end, improves not only the hospitals themselves but the lives of the patients these hospitals serve. Thus, I saw healthcare consulting as not only as a field where I can apply my skills, but also a career where I can make a meaningful impact in the community.
What are you most excited about for your summer in Chicago?
I’m most excited about the food!!! I try to go up to Chicago at least once a month during the school semester to visit my favorite spots (bb.q Chicken, Sun Wah BBQ, the Beef, and more). And so, I’m so excited (and a little scared for bank account) that these spots are only a few minutes away from me.
What is your proudest accomplishment of your undergraduate career thus far?
My proudest accomplishment would have to be the friends and family that I made at Notre Dame. I didn’t have the easiest time adjusting to a whole new country and culture, and I was so scared I wouldn’t find my “people,” but I did! And past me would be super proud.
What do you think is unique about Pathstone?
I think one unique thing about Pathstone is how grounded and down-to-earth the people are. It’s a company where the people working there genuinely seem to be a group of friends who are collectively passionate and excited about what they do. It’s a very refreshing and welcoming culture.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of schoolwork and interning?
I am chronic TV Show binger, so I am always on the hunt for another great show to watch, whatever genre that may be. I also love working out, strength-training in the gym, and feeling myself get stronger. I also love to paint both digitally and on canvas.
If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Rice of course.