Amy Ferreira

Boston College, Carroll School of Management

“My glass is half full. Lifelong learner, loyal friend. Determined to exceed my own expectations.”

Fun fact about yourself: There are three sets of twins in my family, but my sister and I are the only set of identical twins.

Hometown: Marshfield, Massachusetts

High School: Notre Dame Academy, Hingham, MA

Major: Finance and Information Systems

Minor: Hispanic Studies

Favorite Business Course: TechTrek West

In terms of technology and entrepreneurship courses, Techtrek West is the “marathon” equivalent. The course prepares students, through rigorous case studies and lively in-class discussions, for a week-long field study in Silicon Valley. It is a unique opportunity to speak with VR/AR specialists at Google, design gurus at Apple, the co-founders of WePay, and the venture capitalists at Sequoia Capital financing the innovators of Silicon Valley. TechTrek allowed me to recognize my potential to change the world through technology, creativity, and big ideas.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

• Student Assistant at the Shea Center for Entrepreneurship of the Carroll School of Management
• Teaching Assistant for Computers in Management
• Teaching Assistant for Marketing Principles
• Founding member and leader of the Girls Who Code organization at Boston College
• Helped develop the Empow(her) workshop series with the Boston College Women in Business club
• Ranked in the top 10 performing teams of the 2019 Boston College Portfolio Challenge
• Participant in TechTogether Boston hackathon
• Volunteer with Boston College Special Olympics
• Boston College Study Abroad program in Madrid, Spain at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Where have you interned during your college career?

• Citigroup (New York, NY)- Global Markets Summer Analyst
• State Street Corporation (Boston, MA)- Investment Portfolio Intern
• Rockland Trust Company (Plymouth, MA)- BSA/AML Risk Management Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? Citigroup as a Global Markets Analyst

What did you enjoy most about your business school? I most enjoy the Carroll School’s emphasis on business for social good and responsible leadership. Some of my most impactful classes include Portico, a business ethics course, and Leadership and Mindfulness, a capstone management course that focuses on developing emotionally intelligent leaders. The Carroll School provides a strong foundation in technical skills and analytical thinking and also cultivates systemic leaders of the future.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Business school has taught me to consider more than just financial gain when making decisions. A firm should create value for all stakeholders and not just shareholders. Corporate leaders must consider all parties impacted by their decisions including employees, customers, communities, and the planet to name only a few. Socially responsible companies actually perform better in both the short and long-term which many people overlook.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Don’t be afraid to try something new to discover what you are truly passionate about. Take classes that you find interesting even if they are not directly related to your major. Challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone, work hard, and take calculated risks.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? Contrary to popular beliefs, business is much more than calculating net present values and profits. Business is global and interconnected as it entails thinking about the relationship between individuals, communities, corporations, governments, and global economies. It has surprised me how majoring in business has taught me to think deeply about the intricacies of these systems and how business impacts society as a whole.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am proud to graduate with a minor in Hispanic Studies which demonstrates my strong linguistic proficiency and ability to think critically about texts and ideas in Spanish. Learning a language requires meticulousness and practice. I spend a lot of my free time watching television series in Spanish and listening to songs in Spanish to improve my vocabulary and comprehension. During my semester abroad in Madrid, I challenged myself by taking the majority of my classes in Spanish. My language skills have also allowed me to form friendships with native Spanish speakers. It is very rewarding to be able to connect with someone in their native language.

Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire Ann Abraham (MCAS ‘20). Ann is a dedicated student and passionate leader who leads by example as a Health Coach, peer mentor, and advocate for underrepresented communities. Ann lifts up others with her positivity and selflessness. She is resilient, determined, and voices her opinions. Ann inspires me to live each day with a deeper sense of purpose as she works diligently towards her goal of empowering others as a public health professional.

Who would you most want to thank for your success?

Thank you to my mom and dad for their constant love, support, encouragement, and the sacrifices they make for me. My dad has played a particularly influential role by teaching me from a young age that “there is no substitute for hard work.” He built a business from the ground up, has remained true to his values, and never forgets his roots. My dad nurtured my curiosity about business at a young age by teaching me about the financial markets. Growing up, we spent hours discussing supply and demand and stock exchanges. I was fascinated by the possibility of owning my very own share of The Walt Disney Company. Each day I continue to be inspired by my dad’s persistence, hard work, and humility.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

• I hope to earn my CFA designation to demonstrate my “fluency” in financial analysis.
• I aspire to become a portfolio manager with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

What are your hobbies? Distance running, playing piano and ukulele, yoga, international travel, cookie decorating, watching Jeopardy! with my sisters, TED talks, spending time with close friends.

What made Amy such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Amy is a joy to have in the classroom. She is always present, always engaged. She starts with outstanding work and then seeks feedback, asking probing questions to identify opportunities, sometimes subtle, for making things even better. Her enthusiasm and warmth bring out the best in other students.”

George Wyner
Associate Professor of the Practice
Information System

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