2017 Best Brightest Alexander (Alec) Bucshon, Southern Methodist University (Cox)

2017 Best Brightest: Alexander (Alec) Bucshon, Southern Methodist University (Cox) by: Jeff Schmitt on April 09, 2017 | 0 Comments Comments 819 Views April 9, 2017Alexander (Alec) BucshonSouthern Methodist University: Edwin L. Cox Business School I am a driven, highly analytical individual who enjoys all things people and problem solving.Fun fact about yourself: I graduated high school with 18 other students!Hometown: Evansville, IndianaHigh School: Evansville Day SchoolMajor: BBA in Finance, BS in Economics with Financial ApplicationsFavorite Business Courses: Corporate Finance and Hedge FundsExtracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:Resident Assistant for 3 years in Boaz CommonsTeacher’s Assistant for 3 semesters (Introduction to Finance x2, Alternative Assets)Personal Tutor for Introduction to FinanceUniversity Honors ProgramBBA Scholar (direct admission into Cox School)Honor Roll with High Distinction for all completed semestersSM U Homecoming KingSemesterly service project through Resident Assistant training (Paul Quinn College, North Texas Food Bank, Dallas County Schools, Habitat for Humanity)Vice President of Kappa Alpha OrderParticipant in 4 charity fashion shows (Alpha Chi Omega x2, Best Buddies, Chi Omega)Where have you interned during your college career?Accuride Corporation Evansville, IN as a finance internThe Five Star Institute in Dallas, TX as a general internCredit Suisse LLC in Houston, TX as a summer analystDescribe your dream Job: I would start and lead a space exploration company similar to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Space fascinates me, especially the fact that so much of it is unknown. I feel that space exploration and colonization of other planets is going to grow substantially over the next decades.Who is your favorite professor? Rex Thompson, who taught my Introduction to Finance class, is my favorite professor. I would compare him to â€Å"the most interesting man in the world† in that he has been involved in so many different things throughout his life. He has a passion for teaching finance and I have never laughed as much as I did in that class.Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? I most admire Bill Gates for his outstanding achievements in the advancement of computer technology and his outstanding generosity through philanthropy.What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I enjoy the fact that business degrees are versatile in that there are so many different job options and career paths. If I end up disliking the finance field, I have the option of moving into a corporate position, politics, and more.Where would you like to work after graduation?   I will be working at Credit Suisse LLC in Houston, TX after graduation, and I am very excited about it.What are your long-term professional goals? Long term, I plan to move into the private equity or hedge fund field and hope to someday start my own business with my b rother, Luke.What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?  I would tell them that all of the classes they take in the business school have an application to every major. Often, students only focus on their majors’ core classes and blow off other classes, but understanding all aspects of the business world — finance, accounting, law, marketing, management, etc. — is crucial to success in their professional careers.â€Å"I knew I wanted to major in business when†¦my brother told me about his experience with his business program at Emory University. I became fascinated by finance specifically during my Intro to Finance class with my favorite professor, Rex Thompson.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"If I didn’t major in business, I would be†¦ going to medical school. Both of my parents are medical doctors; I am very interested in medicine and would love to learn more about it.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Before I entered business school, I wish I had known†¦ how to network better. Coming into the business school, I didn’t fully understand how easy it is to make business connections with other students and professors at SMU. If I had understood that and done more networking early on, it would have given me better summer internship opportunities during my freshman and sophomore year.†What was the happiest moment of your life? The happiest moment of my life was when I was 9 year old and my younger sister Zoe was born.Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am proudest of winning the final project presentation for my Alternative Assets program. This program takes the top finance students in the Cox School of Business, teaches case-based classes on corporate finance and hedge funds, and provides career advice for getting the most prestigious finance jobs in the nation. Winning the final project was a great honor because I was competing with incredibly talented stud ents in the program.What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would use a mustang to represent my professional brand. The mustang represents a free spirit and strength, along with the fact that it is SMU’s mascot.Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my parents who pushed me to do my best in school and life, but allowed me to go my own way about doing it. I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without them.What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?   I would like for my business school peers to consider me a hard worker with an enthusiastic attitude toward school and life, and someone who keeps a positive attitude when the going gets tough.Favorite book: Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafà ³nFavorite movie: Shawshank RedemptionFavorite musical performer: Fleetwood MacFavorite vacation spot: Barcelona, SpainWhat are your hobbies? Basketball, st aying in shape, studying historyWhat made Alec such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?â€Å"Alec Bucshon is everything you could want in a BBA student. He’s clearly brilliant, but he adds so much to our community outside of the classroom. Alec is courteous, professional, and incredibly successful. I love the fact that he’ll be telling the rest of the world he got his start at the Cox School in just a few short months.†Jim Bryan Associate Dean, BBA Programs SMU, Cox School of BusinessDONT MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017 Page 1 of 11