Josué Sánchez
Economics
Union City, NJ
Why did you choose Cornell?
It is gorge(ou)s! As a first-generation student, having a traditional on-campus undergraduate experience was one of my top priorities. The tree-covered, picturesque Arts Quad further complemented by the Greek-inspired pillars supporting Goldwin Smith Hall felt like a movie scene – one I wanted a role in! Of course... the academics also drew me in.
What was your favorite class and why?
SHUM 2750: Energy! was hands down my most memorable and favorite course at Cornell. The course was offered by A&S’s Society for the Humanities and taught by Professor Pinkus. The class, which consisted of five students across different colleges, was administered in the A.D. White House, an expansive Victorian Gothic house with an ornate interior. Energy! – from passionate discussions and florid narratives – held parallels with the decor around the room. I was challenged to break free from the shackles of economics by thinking beyond conventional models and to use my imagination to envision the future that is still to come. Through a humanistic lens, I managed to delve into the historical and contemporary aspects of human interactions with energy and its implications for tomorrow. Throughout the semester, I received tailored instruction that paved the way for effectual in-depth learning. I was able to challenge myself with the final project, which focused on my interest in innovation of energy consumption in the automobile industry.
My avid involvement as co-founder and executive vice president at Cornell Equity Research served as the defining moment of my last year at Cornell. During the summer of 2019, my friend and I decided to challenge ourselves by beginning a new venture in an effort to provide Cornell with an unorthodox, yet robust, finance publication. Its importance to me has been the emphasis the club places on applying interdisciplinary skills to one issue, an homage to a liberal arts degree.
What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?
Although I originally intended to stay away from clichés when answering these prompts, I will nevertheless fall prey to such expression: each vivid memory encapsulates a hidden milestone in my undergraduate career. However, from opening my acceptance letter to receiving my first preliminary exam score (and subsequently calling my mom in desperation) to then excelling for the rest of the semester, my first few Cornell memories hold a youthful streak I covet the most. Hail, all Hail, Cornell!
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of, either inside the classroom or otherwise?
I am most proud of simultaneously pursuing both my academic and professional interests. During my undergraduate career, I have been able to have highly sought-after internships at Capital One and Google. I have also been able to capitalize on my passion for economics by conducting my own research project in the Dominican Republic during winter break (2019-20). My research, which was bolstered by my experience studying abroad at the University of Cambridge, has culminated in the successful submission of my honors thesis.
