I am a junior in ACE with a concentration in Finance in Agribusiness. Being from the Southside of Chicago, I never thought I would end up calling the College of ACES home. I started at the University of Illinois in the Division of General Studies knowing I wanted to pursue a career in the business sector, but unaware of how to obtain such a dream. Researching this applied economics department, I applied to ACE in the spring of my freshman year. Little did I know I was on my way down a wonderful path of self-discovery. One of the things I like about the College of ACES is being a part of a large university, but having a close-knit, small college supporting me. Advisors and professors take a large interest and care about the success of their students. Another reason why I fell in love with this college is the opportunities available. I spent this past summer studying viticulture in France. I had the chance to explore, network, and experience France in a classroom setting for one month and intern with a host family working on their vineyard for another month. There is a great emphasis on career development and preparation through classwork and ACE curricular activities. I participated in ACE 398 which was an 8-week course that prepared us for the ACES Career Fair. Throughout this class, we had resume reviews, leadership book reports, and every week a representative from various companies would come to class and present their career, company, available internships, and career advice. This is the right major for me because I gain a deeper understanding of how businesses function and I am building a solid foundation of the agriculture community. ACE has made me more culturally aware of the dedication that goes into every industry. Transferring into ACE has been one of the best decisions I have made.