Justin Golshir is president of the of the University of Georgia chapter of the student-run international exchange program called AIESEC, which is a French acronym for L’Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commercial, and it’s the largest nonprofit work exchange program run by students. AIESEC operates in more than 87 countries worldwide and at more than 800 universities. The UGA chapter was re-established two years ago by international business major Ryan Gembala (BBA ’03). Since then it has sent 30 Georgia students to work abroad in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Peru, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Kenya and India.
Hometown:
Augusta, Georgia
High School:
Lakeside High School
Degree objective:
BBA in Finance, AB in International Affairs, and the certificate in Personal and Organizational leadership.
Expected graduation:
May 2005
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I have served in several leadership capacities while on campus including President of AIESEC UGA, which is the local chapter of the world’s largest student run organization. I am the former president of the Banking & Finance Society, the only organization on campus that bridges the gap between finance in the workplace and the academic world. I have served as the former Alumni Chairman of the Terry College Dean’s Council launching the first Alumni Roundtable discussion bringing together some of Terry’s most prestigious Alumni. I am involved in the Bebe and Earl Leonard Leadership Scholars program. The honor selects the top 30 undergraduate business students for an extensive 2-year leadership development program. I am a member Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. I was selected to attend Leadershape UGA last May. I have received the IFC Scholarship and Bradley-Turner Foundation Scholarship. I am also in the UGA Honors Program and I am a member of the Blue Key International Honor Society.
Additionally, I have spent the past two summers working overseas. I worked as a Staff Consultant in Tehran and as a Treasury Analyst for a bank in Istanbul. Most
recently I worked for Motorola in Dubai, UAE as a Pricing & Financial Analyst.
My travels have help open my mind to the amazing world and different cultures that are out there. I have far fewer stereotypes about the Middle East than I used to, and I enjoy the culture and history.
Current Employment:
I work part-time at the UGA law library. I also consider my work with AIESEC a full time job. Over the past several years our organization has been steadily growing. My friends and I like to think of it as one of the best kept secrets on campus. AIESEC provides UGA student with the opportunity to intern abroad in more than 80 countries around the globe. I have been given the opportunity to work in Istanbul and Dubai because of it. My mind has really opened up to the world and I hope to have a huge impact on the University of Georgia campus with AIESEC. Through my involvement, I want to increase international cooperation and understanding that will hopefully create a better and more peaceful world.
Family Ties to UGA:
I am a first generation American. My father emigrated to the United States from Iran in 1975 and attended the University of Arkansas. My mother is the most supportive person in the world. Without her I would be nothing.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…the quality of the education along with the benefits of the HOPE Scholarship were impossible to turn down.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…socialize with friends or read on Herty field.
When I have free time, I like…
…listen to music, play the alto saxophone, read, weight lift, play sports, watch television, travel, and learn about other cultures and languages.
My favorite professor is…
…Dr. Marc Lipson. Although I have never taken any of his courses, he has helped guide me in through several difficult decisions. He’s a brilliant man who finds time to do everything in his balanced life. He is well-traveled and a great person to turn to for advice.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…Bill Clinton. Although many people might not consider him to be the most ethical person, he is definitely one to admire. He is a very charismatic, well educated, and worldly person. I remember watching Bill Clinton on Arsenio Hall during his Presidential campaign back in 1992. That appearance really encouraged me to take up playing the saxophone. I feel like we share many common interests and I would love to sit down and talk about life in general.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
…go to law school, work in foreign service, and start a jazz band.
After graduation, I plan to…
…either work or attend graduate school and move to either New York, Washington D.C., or Boston.
