Meet Justin, Class of 2005 Alum

“It's not an exaggeration to say that the AP curriculum at ASH changed my life.”

Justin currently lives in North Carolina and works at UBS Global Wealth Management, where he writes research to help families meet their financial goals and achieve financial freedom. He is a writer and financial educator, and attributes his career head start to the ASH curriculum.

How was your #ASHexperience?
I took several AP courses at ASH, and my teachers prepared me so well that I was able to score 4s and 5s on most of my AP exams. Colleges' willingness to provide credit for AP exams was a major factor in my decision to matriculate at George Washington University, where my results qualified me for 43 credit hours before I even stepped on campus. As a result of this head start, I was able to hit the ground running at college with intermediate-level college courses in economics and statistics. These credits gave me extra flexibility to design a college curriculum that suited my interests and passions. 

My AP credits from ASH also allowed me to graduate a year early. Not only did this help us to save on college costs, but it allowed me to get into the labor market before the Global Financial Crisis. 

Do you have a special memory of your time at ASH?
ASH taught me to be open to new experiences and friendships, and helped me to develop many of the passions that have shaped the rest of my life. 

I was heavily involved in choir and theater at ASH. In high school, one of the musicals that we performed was Fiddler on the Roof. I can vividly remember the first time I stepped out on stage, feeling the energy of the audience. It gives me goosebumps, even all these years later.

What staff member impacted you the most?
I cannot pick just one! Our choir teacher for many years helped me to develop confidence and gave me a lifelong passion for the arts, through which I met many of my closest friends. Bruce and Kim arranged group trips to Vietnam, Peru, and China that helped me to see the world and gain a fresh perspective, which later led me to live and work abroad in Hong Kong. Sean and Tom helped me develop a passion for geopolitics and economics, which led me to pursue those subjects in college and eventually led to my career in finance.

What words can you share about meaningful learning, to our current students?
Be curious, patient, wary of easy answers, and willing to change your mind. Challenge your assumptions and the status quo, and always tackle problems from more than one perspective to make sure that you're seeing the full picture. If you can develop these skills, you will be successful at learning and applying knowledge throughout your life.

What are you looking forward to?
As a writer and financial educator, I am constantly learning more about financial markets, investing, and financial planning, and I am currently taking courses to become a CFP® professional.
 
#ASHvoices
We have a diverse community of students, staff, and families from around the world. Each member of our community brings their own story that enriches the #ASHexperience.