Annaleiz Palacios, accounting/finance senior, is already working at her post-graduation job.
Palacios has a job at Midfirst Bank, 2225 N. May Ave., which developed from an internship.
“I had interned at Midfirst Bank over the summer and got a job offer from them in August, so I’m working part-time there,” Palacios said. “I’ll start working full-time when I graduate.”
Palacios said she’s learning about becoming a credit analyst.
“It’s kind of a development program, and that’s what I’ll be going into,” she said.
Palacios said she found out about the internship through an alumnus.
“I knew an alum who I bumped into at the OCU gym,” she said. “He told me about an internship at his work, and I ended up emailing him my resume. He sent it to his manager, and I got the job two days later.”
Palacios came to OCU after being recruited by Conor Holt, former track and cross-country coach.
“I started running my junior year in high school in Greeley, Colorado,” she said. “I was recruited, and I thought it would be interesting to see Oklahoma. I ended up falling in love with the school and the city. It was a quick decision to come here, but a good one.”
Palacios was inspired by her mom to pursue accounting. Her mom went back to school from 2010-14, Palacios said.
“She had two kids and was working a full-time job. She was already in accounting, but wanted to further her development so she went back to school,” she said. “I’ve always looked up to my mom, and she told me that it would be something that I liked. I came into college knowing I was going to go into accounting and finance, and I haven’t changed.”
Dr. Susan Jurney, associate professor of accounting, also inspired her.
“Probably one of the best teachers I’ve had here is Dr. Jurney,” Palacios said. “She’s really inspirational because she’s a strong and powerful woman working in tax, which is male-dominated. She handles situations well, and I’ve always looked up to her.”
In addition to her full-time bank position, Palacios will take the exam to become a certified public accountant, as well as compete in the NAIA Outdoor Track nationals in May in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Palacios said the key to success is staying involved.
“I’m currently Investment Club president,” she said. “It’s opened up a lot of opportunities for me, and I have so much to say about how involved I am at OCU. It really helps a lot, especially when making connections. It’s one of the best ways to find a job when you graduate.”
Matt Aguero, head coach of track and field, said Palacios has developed a lot from her freshman to senior years.
“She shows up every day and works hard. She’s always done good stuff and has been very competitive for us,” Aguero said. “She has always been a team leader and a great student.”B
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