Ashley Hsieh 26Ox

Planning on pursuing a career in finance, Ashley found that this internship allowed her to explore and practice various areas in the field, including different systems and skills that drive company success. One of these crucial skills is communication, which she has cultivated through her classes and extracurricular commitments.

“My Special Topics in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies class taught me a lot about articulating the information I consume into meaningful statements. The way my professor, Dr. Olson, structured the class also prompted me to connect different lessons and ideas, which elevated my ability to organize information quickly in my head,” she explains.

This skill is especially important in selling securitized loans, which requires both quick thinking and effective communication.

In addition to communication, Ashley also appreciates how Oxford helped her develop key organizational skills, particularly through her extracurricular commitments.

“I had a very busy schedule during my second semester at Oxford, and it definitely taught me how to manage my time by prioritizing my tasks. I’m glad Oxford gave me the opportunity to explore different extracurriculars before settling down with the few I enjoy the most—it also taught me to set boundaries,” she reflects.

Through her involvement in the Health and Wellness Committee and the Taiwanese American Student Association, she also practiced collecting and organizing information—skills that proved useful in strategizing for her internship.

Though Ashley is grateful to have learned more about the technical skills required for direct lending, she feels the most rewarding part of her work is the opportunity to talk to almost everyone at the firm.

“From company socials, which are my favorite, to regular coffee chats, I’ve met so many amazing people. Everyone’s stories are really unique, and I feel assured that no matter which opportunity comes up, I can utilize it to learn and grow as a person.”