From student organizations to internships, Chiara Fernando is building a future in business at KU.

Every Jayhawk has a story. In this series, we’re highlighting the journeys of KU students who are making their mark on campus, overcoming obstacles and seizing the opportunities that help them grow. These personal stories reflect the spirit and resilience that define KU.

We sat down with University of Kansas student Chiara Fernando to learn about all the organizations and involvement opportunities available to business students at KU. With a passion for leadership and a drive to grow, Chiara has made the most of her time on campus. She’s proving that embracing those opportunities can open the doors to success.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your time at KU.

A: Hi, I’m Chiara Fernando, a junior studying finance with a minor in supply chain at KU’s Business School. I’m involved in several organizations, including the Business Leadership Program, KU Honors Program, Business Student Ambassadors, Mentored Scholars Program and Women in Finance, where I serve as president. 

I’m also the Director of Events for the Undergraduate Business Council and a member of Delta Sigma Pi, which is our professional business frat on campus.

Q: What stood out to you about KU when you were choosing a university?

A: I grew up in Wichita, so I knew about all the state school options, but I just absolutely loved the environment here at KU. It might sound cliché, but it felt like home with such a welcoming and fun environment. 

When I toured, I saw all the different classes, learned about the alumni network and all the companies and career fairs and everything that KU offers their students. There are so many incredible opportunities compared to other schools, and that was a big reason I decided to come here! 

Q: What internships or experiences have you had in your field? 

A: This past summer, I interned in logistics at Poet, a biofuels company, and the summer before that, I worked as a finance intern at Textron Aviation. I’ll be interning with Koch Industries as a financial analyst this upcoming summer, so I’ve gained a lot of hands-on experience each year. When I saw all the connections and career fairs and everything that KU offered, I knew what they provided would set me up for success, and it’s happening now. 

Q: How has KU prepared you for these internships and the next steps in your career?

A: KU’s classes, especially the Business Leadership Program, have done an excellent job of preparing me for interviews, internships and my professional career. The Career Services Center, along with required career fairs, helped me step out of my comfort zone with networking from my freshman year. I got more comfortable doing that, and now I’m excited to go to them. 

I’m also learning a lot of things that I didn’t expect. My business writing class, for example, has taught me about business etiquette and how to be more concise and professional in my emails. I’ve seen a lot of growth in the way I present myself, and I’m learning a new level of professionalism. 

Q: With so many opportunities at KU’s business school, have you been able to form personal connections with your professors?

A: At first, the size of the business school felt a little daunting, but I quickly realized how easy it is to connect with my professors. They genuinely want to get to know their students. If you take the initiative to talk to them after class or stop in their office hours, it doesn’t need to be strictly about schoolwork. You can just learn about their careers or find out about their path to KU. 

As a junior now, my classes are 30-40 students, and I would say most of the teachers know me by name. They're very welcoming, and they honestly are just there to help. You know that they're all here to help you succeed after college.

Q: How have KU’s alumni network and mentoring opportunities helped shape your experience here? 

A: KU’s alumni network is vast and incredibly supportive. The career services team also does a great job connecting students with alumni, making it easy to network and learn from people in the field. There are so many mentoring opportunities, too.

As part of the Mentored Scholars Program, they assigned me a faculty mentor who I meet three times a semester. This mentor has been so beneficial for me during my time at KU because I can go to them for advice on my career, academics, and even personal stuff, which is awesome.

Q: What advice do you have for future Jayhawks? 

A: KU has been one of the best decisions of my life. There are just so many opportunities here. I'm just so glad that I went here because I remember being nervous — how am I going to meet people? 

Coming to college is so scary because you don't really know what to expect. Just like I tell students when I give tours as an ambassador, you get out what you put in at KU. It’s up to you if you want to get involved, and I'm really glad I was able to do that. KU offers so many ways to get involved and meet people that I would say, just take the risk and get involved.

At KU, you'll find clubs, organizations, and campus resources that offer support, connection and community, no matter your goals. Inspired by Chiara’s involvement at KU? Find your path here — start your application today!