Graduate student Meg Shepard has found her niche. She finished her bachelor’s degree at the Terry College of Business, and decided to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. She became involved with the Peer Financial Counseling program, a UGA organization that provides education to help students become more knowledgeable about topics like budgeting, credit, debt, student loans, credit reports and investing. Last year, the organization gave 38 presentations to 2,384 students. Shepard’s involvement has helped her hone her public speaking skills and develop leadership experience. She has enjoyed the work so much that she is planning to pursue a career as a Certified Financial Planner.
Hometown:
Roswell, Ga.
High School:
Roswell High School
Degree objective:
M.S.F.C.S. in financial planning
Other degrees:
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Georgia
Expected graduation:
Spring 2010
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
In 2009, I won the PPA Advisor’s Outstanding Student Award and the ANC Foundation Scholarship and Award. While at UGA, I have participated in Relay for Life, the Classic City High School Mentoring Program and served as the secretary of the Graduate Student Association. I also went with a group of students from Baptist Collegiate Ministries to the Georgia/Florida football game…on bicycles! The trip raised money for summer missions, and it was an experience I will never forget. The biggest highlight of my time at Georgia has been the work that I have done with the Peer Financial Counseling Program. It is an organization with 30 students who give seminars around campus about financial management principles. I have worked with the program for the last four years, and last year the program gave 38 presentations to 2,384 students. The organization has been instrumental in my personal and professional development, and I have enjoyed working with the organization so much that I am going to pursue a career in financial planning!
Current Employment:
I am currently employed as a graduate assistant in the department of housing and consumer economics.
Family Ties to UGA:
My grandfather received his Ph.D. from UGA’s Terry College of Business and my great uncle was a quarterback for the university’s football team in the 1940s.
I chose to attend UGA because…
My first time in Athens was with my high school for a Future Business Leaders of America conference. After competing in the public speaking competition, I was able to explore North Campus and I was sold! Georgia had a great reputation and a beautiful campus, and it was big enough that it had everything you could ever want in a school.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…to go to athletic events like football, basketball and gymnastics. I also enjoy giving seminars to classes and student organizations with Peer Financial Counseling, studying at the Miller Learning Center and working out at the Ramsey Center.
When I have free time, I like…
…to hang out with my amazing friends and run at the Botanical Gardens. Running is a great stress reliever for me. Right now, I am training for my first half-marathon!
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…been the high school mascot. For my junior and senior years of high school, I spent my free time being the Roswell Hornet. It was a lot of fun…but very crazy!
My favorite place to study is…
…the Miller Learning Center! There is nothing like being surrounded by hundreds of your peers while you study. Even though everyone is studying for different classes, there is a feeling of community among everyone in the MLC. The intense atmosphere is very motivating while you study.
My favorite professor is…
…Brenda Cude. About 10 years ago she started the Peer Financial Counseling Program which has impacted thousands of students at colleges across the state of Georgia. She teaches introductory classes to both freshmen and seniors. Her new one hour class for seniors, HACE 3110, prepares seniors for their financial life after college. Dr. Cude invited me and other seniors to help develop the course so that it would be centered around concepts that are relevant for graduating seniors.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…Carly Fiorina, the first female CEO of a Fortune 20 company! She is an incredibly talented woman of integrity and has made tremendous strides in the workplace for women. She went from Secretary to CEO and she has been forced to handle a lot of strife throughout her career. She is most known for pushing the envelope and thinking outside the box. I would love to learn from her experiences.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…end world poverty. I believe that poverty is one of the greatest injustices of our society. If I knew that I could not fail, I would teach people how to market their skills and manage their money by being resourceful.
After graduation, I plan to…
…take the examination to become a Certified Financial Planner and begin a career as a financial planner. I also want to volunteer with microlending organizations in developing countries.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…the Georgia vs. Auburn football in 2007, also known as “The Black Out.” I sat next to my brother, who went to Auburn and is the ultimate Auburn football fan. When the football players ran out on the field wearing all black, the Georgia fans in the stadium erupted and chills went up my spine. All my brother could say was, “Wow. This is cool!”