Company Dinner 2024
Written by Kathleen Manyloun
The Honors Business Association recently hosted our highly anticipated annual Company Dinner––a night dedicated to connecting business honors students with employees from some of the nation’s top firms. This year, HBA was privileged to welcome representatives from Bank of America, Capital One, Credera, ConocoPhillips, Dell, H-E-B, and PwC. These companies shared invaluable insights into their fields and offered personalized advice to guide students in their business careers.
I had the opportunity to sit down with two Senior Business Analysts from Capital One, Daniel Florian and Grant Vazin, to discuss their professional journeys and how their experiences at the University of Texas at Austin shaped their careers.
Grant Vazin, a graduate of the McCombs School of Business (BBA, 2020; MPA, 2021), emphasized that one of the most valuable skills he developed during his time at UT Austin was his proficiency in presentation. He highlighted how often he is required to present to clients and senior leadership in his role, and credited his undergraduate education for equipping him with the confidence and expertise needed to excel in these high-stakes situations. Vazin also encouraged us to get involved in business organizations to explore different industries and identify the areas of business that resonate with our interests and career aspirations. Vazin gained valuable experience interning at Capital One before accepting his full-time offer. He highlighted the company's strong emphasis on mentorship, noting that interns are paired with senior analysts to collaborate on a specific project, which they present to senior leadership at the conclusion of the internship. Vazin emphasized that Capital One seeks individuals who can develop innovative solutions to challenges, focusing on understanding and evaluating how candidates approach problem-solving.
Daniel Florian, a 2021 graduate of the Cockrell School of Engineering, shared insights into his experience at Capital One. He discussed a recent project where the company distributed new car-selling software to over 3,000 car dealerships nationwide. Florian explained that one of the most challenging aspects of his role is anticipating the questions that may arise following a product presentation. When asked for his advice to aspiring business undergraduates, he emphasized the importance of remaining open to all opportunities, advising, "If you limit yourself to just one path, you might miss out on other valuable opportunities along the way."
The evening concluded with a networking session where we were able to connect one-on-one with the representatives, ask follow-up questions, and exchange contacts for future conversations. Walking away from the event, I felt more informed about various business industries and motivated to create my unique professional journey.
The Honors Business Association extends our deepest gratitude to the attending representatives from Bank of America, Capital One, Credera, ConocoPhillips, Dell, H-E-B, and PwC for investing their time to share their knowledge and connect with future leaders of the business world.
HBA Company Dinner - Daniel Florian (left), Kathleen Manyloun (middle), Grant Vazin (right)