Elmwood Park resident Lisa Hess is a senior at Roosevelt University. Hess was one of 10 undergraduate students from the Heller College of Business who was selected as a Clearing Corporation Charitable Foundation fellow for 2017-2018.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I grew up in Elmwood Park. I went to Elmwood Park High School and graduated in 2014.
Q: Why did you want to go to Roosevelt University?
A: I applied to a lot of places. I got a great scholarship from Roosevelt. I have made a lot of friends there that I can relate to.
Q: Do you commute?
A: I’m a commuter student.
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Q: How did you become interested in working in finance?
A: In high school, I became interested in business. From taking classes, I became more interested in business in college. I’ve always been interested in numbers.
Q: What is a Clearing Corporation Charitable Foundation fellow?
A: It’s a program that helps me network with my peers. I have a mentor, and I attend a lot of events. I get to see a lot of speakers.
Q: How did you get selected as a fellow?
A: They selected 10 students who applied based on GPA and academic records.
Q: What does this mean for you since you’re a graduating senior?
A: I have a lot more connections. I feel much more comfortable going out in the work force. My mentors have taught me a lot.
Q: What other students are involved in the CCCF fellow program?
A: There are juniors and seniors that are CCCF fellows. There are even some international students. There’s a wide range of students.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
A: I’m currently working part time right now at the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago. I am loving it so far.
Q: Do you want to live and work downtown when you graduate?
A: It’s definitely an option for me. I definitely like the city environment. This is my first real business-type job. I like the corporate environment.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: I like to hang out downtown with friends, especially during the summer.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.