Alicia Craig
University of Pittsburgh, College of Business Administration
“Lover of puppies, a good book, social justice, chocolate, tennis, coffee, and equality.”
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve stood in two countries at the same time
Hometown: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
High School: Oshkosh West High School
Major: Finance
Minor: Spanish
Favorite Business Courses: Corporate Finance
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Women in Business (President); Resident Assistant; Teaching Assistant; Freshmen Team Leader; Research Assistant; League of Emerging Analytics Professionals; Socially Responsible Investment Portfolio; Pitt Program Council (Director)
Where have you interned during your college career: Finance Associate, UPMC (Pittsburgh); Intern, ILP Abogados (Madrid); Legislative intern, Office of State Representative Ed Gainey (Pittsburgh)
Describe your dream Job: My goal in life is to make the world a better place. I enjoy being challenged and solving problems, and I also like interacting with others. My dream job is one in which I can make a positive impact on as many people as possible.
Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor is Sara Moeller because she taught arguably the hardest class I’ve taken at Pitt (Corporate Finance) and yet I still enjoyed the course and her. She also has an adorable dog.
Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? I most admire Andy Hannah because he’s an incredible role model who somehow manages to run a business, teach a Pitt course, respond to emails quickly, and dispense advice to students all while remaining a pleasant person.
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I enjoy being able to better understand what’s happening in the world and how every event is interconnected.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I’ve come to better appreciate the role that relationships play in the business world.
Where would you like to work after graduation? I have accepted a role with McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst in Pittsburgh.
What are your long-term professional goals? When I look back at what I’ve accomplished in my life, I want to know that I helped others. I’m not sure where my career will take me, but I can envision myself working in government, for a non-profit, or starting my own company.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? The professors and executives that you meet in the business field are incredibly intelligent and interesting people. Get to know them.
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I picked up a book about investing to read for fun.”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…in political science or psychology.”
“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…that it’s ok to not know what you want to do with your life. “
What was the happiest moment of your life? Tie between receiving a full-tuition scholarship to Pitt and getting a job offer from McKinsey.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of my research about women’s rights and women in leadership, as well as my role as President of Women in Business.
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would choose a bear because they are tenacious.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank Associate Dean Audrey Murrell for my success. She has been an incredible supporter and mentor during my college career and I respect her immensely. I try to mold my own leadership skills after her powerful example.
What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I would hope that they would say I have left a positive impact and that I worked to promote women in leadership in the business world.
Favorite book: The New Jim Crow
Favorite movie: The Avengers
Favorite musical performer: Beyoncé
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
What are your hobbies? I enjoy writing, reading, kickboxing, and playing the piano and guitar.
What made Alicia such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?
“Alicia has taken on a number of leadership roles during her time at Pitt Business. Whether as president of the Women in Business Association or as project manager for the League of Emerging Analytics Professionals, she has a tremendous ability to gather students together toward achieving challenging goals.
In addition to completing a very ambitious research project as an honors business student, Alicia also maintains a very rigorous academic schedule and will graduate as one of our top honors students. Alicia will certainly leave a lasting impact that will benefit our students well into the future.”
Audrey J. Murrell, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Pitt Business
Kenneth R. Woodcock Faculty Fellow
Director of the David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership
Associate Professor of Business Administration
DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017
Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.