Meet Bernadetta Slaba, a junior from southwest suburb Palos Hills studying finance with a data science minor. Bernadetta chose DePaul because of its powerful alumni network and urban campus. She loves everything city life has to offer, especially the diverse restaurant scene.
Bernadetta is a first-generation college student and had limited exposure to finance outside of the classroom. She came to DePaul with neither clear career goals nor an in-depth understanding of the landscape beyond academia. Like many students, she was faced with the dilemma of many career path choices and struggled to narrow her focus. However, she was determined to make full use of DePaul’s resources to explore professional finance. She appreciates the level of engagement and industry experience DePaul professors bring to the table and has relied on them for mentorship. Tom Berry, professor of finance and chair of the Department of Finance and Real Estate, has been especially helpful, connecting her with a number of industry contacts as well as helping her secure and prepare for several interviews. Bernadetta has also taken full advantage of the ASK network to connect with DePaul alumni in Chicago, and which also helped her refine her internship search.
This coming summer, Bernadetta will join Allstate as a risk analyst intern. She believes insurance is an underappreciated sector of financial services that is intellectually engaging and has consistent demand. She hopes to join Allstate’s rotational program to further develop her exposure to the industry and find her niche. Bernadetta currently works at Byline as a teller which has allowed for flexibility with her school schedule as she enters the homestretch of her academic career. Bernadetta thinks anyone who wants to polish their interpersonal skills should work in customer service, as it is good practice for learning how to maintain composure under pressure and develop soft skills that can be applied to any role.
Bernadetta knows how overwhelming it is for college students to find their ideal career path. Despite her active networking with professors and DePaul alumni, she wishes she had been more active with the Department of Finance & Real Estate’s student organizations. She is a huge advocate for stepping out of your comfort zone and asking for help. DePaul professors are approachable and eager to assist when students develop relationships. Additionally, many have extensive industry experience and are eager to put their networks to good use. While excelling in the classroom is vital, building relationships with alumni, professors, and peers is equally important.
Bernadetta is a foodie who loves home-cooked Polish food, and COVID-regulations permitting, exploring Chicago’s restaurants. Her favorite foods are sushi, Italian, and Greek and recommends Café Baba Reba to anyone who spends time in Lincoln Park.
We wish you the best of luck Bernadetta and can’t wait to see where your career takes you!
By Kevin Albrecht