Launching Her Career With International Perspectives

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Olena Hauser

Internal Audit Associate, Goldman Sachs

Class of 2020
BBA in International Management

Member Of: Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Pi National Honor Society of Leadership And Success, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Financial Women's Association

Meet Olena Hauser, an international management major with a minor in internal auditing who relied on the support of Pace University and achieved her dreams. As a Ukraine native who moved to the US when she was 12 years old (and still eats pierogi every week), Olena didn't take the opportunities offered by Lubin for granted. In addition to being a very involved student, Olena has been an active participant of the Dean's Roundtable Initiative, a part of the Wall Street Exchange Program, and a recipient of the Figueroa Family Fund Scholarship. The latter was what allowed her to study abroad, a key part of her Pace Path, which came full circle with a full-time offer from Goldman Sachs.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

As a high school cheerleader, I always imagined myself attending a traditional football university. However, with a little push from my parents, I decided to spend my collegiate years in the heart of New York City. Pace University and the Lubin School of Business' rigorous curriculum has provided me with a powerful platform for my knowledge, but essentially the university's core value of opportunitas. By attending Pace University, a world full of new possibilities opened up to me—a world that I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams.

Tell us a bit about your study abroad experiences. How have they helped you achieve your career goals?

I have been extremely fortunate to have studied abroad twice so far. During the summer of my freshman year, I attended the BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, Norway, and during the spring semester of my junior year I went to John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. While I was abroad, I traveled to a total of six countries and 29 cities. I embarked on a period of discovery and everlasting self-growth and realization of my dreams in the developing world. As I studied in Oslo, I fully grasped the Scandinavian leadership model, the beautiful fjords and mountains, the appreciation for the ten-hour hike to Trolltunga, and why Norway coveted the title of the Happiest Country on Earth. However, at John Cabot University, Rome was my classroom as I immersed myself in the Eternal City. The incredibly life challenging experience gave me a chance to enhance my Italian language skills as I uniquely comprehended how to socially navigate among diverse individuals and how to cook spaghetti alla carbonara. As anthropologist Miriam Adeney stated, "You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."

"The rigorous curriculum has provided me with a powerful platform for my knowledge, but essentially the university's core value of opportunitas. By attending Pace University, a world full of new possibilities opened up to me–a world that I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams."

You have also been a Peer Leader for three years, tell us about the impact of that experience.

This year marks my third year as a University 101 Peer Leader at Pace University. This extracurricular experience is especially close to my heart, as I very much enjoy working with the Lubin School of Business advisors, but primarily first semester students at Pace. The credit-bearing course is designed to address the transition from high school to college, introduce students to the resources that are available at Pace, and facilitate success in the college environment. My position is intended to serve as a role model and a source of advice and information on what life is like as a Pace University student. Essentially, being able to identify with the students gives me an opportunity to help build their own sense of community as I once did, but most of all create everlasting relationships with my UNV 101 students.

What motivates you to work hard?

I am continuously inspired by my mom, the woman who is everything I aspire to be. As I get older, I continue to realize how fortunate I am to have someone who so deeply cares about me. When I was only eight years old, my mom had sacrificed everything in order for me to have opportunities she never had. For instance, I moved to the United States from Ukraine at the age of twelve; in May I will be graduating from a top ranking, private university; and as a senior at Pace University I have already accepted a full-time job offer. I have truly learned the meaning of appreciation and will eternally focus on my faith and inspiration to always do my best in life and make my family proud.

What are your plans for after graduation and how does Lubin fit into that vision?

With much gratitude, I am ecstatic to announce that I have accepted a full-time offer at Goldman Sachs as an Internal Audit Analyst. I am especially grateful for the unconditional support from my family, friends and mentors, but most importantly, I would like to thank the Lubin School of Business and Dean Braun for giving me the knowledge and encouragement necessary to realize my full potential. My achievement is a true illustration of Pace University's vision of opportunitas and aspirations of excellence.