Welcome to Julian Meneses' Portfolio

About Me

My name is Julián Meneses, and I am an international student from Ecuador pursuing a double major in Finance and Business Analytics & Information Systems at Midwestern State University. Leaving my home country to study abroad has been one of the most defining decisions of my life. It taught me independence, resilience, and the importance of setting long-term goals—values that continue to shape my academic journey and professional aspirations.

I chose Finance and Business Analytics because I am deeply interested in how data, markets, and strategic decision-making intersect. My coursework and research have strengthened my interest in areas such as portfolio management, fixed-income analysis, and financial planning. I enjoy understanding how financial systems work beneath the surface and how analytical tools can guide better outcomes for individuals, businesses, and institutions.

Academically, one of my short-term goals is to prepare for and pass the CFA Level I exam before completing my undergraduate studies in May 2028. This goal aligns with my desire to build a strong technical and ethical foundation in finance. At the same time, I am committed to growing as a leader and communicator through roles such as Business Director for Mustangs Motorsports, Orientation Leader, and Student Affairs Student Assistant.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue my education by attending law school with the purpose of becoming an estate planning attorney. My long-term goal is to combine my financial background with legal training to help individuals and families make informed, long-term decisions about their assets, legacies, and financial futures. I hope to build a career grounded in integrity, service, and the ability to guide people through some of the most important choices in their lives.

My journey from Ecuador to MSU reflects my commitment to curiosity, discipline, and purposeful growth. I am determined to make the most of every academic opportunity, research project, leadership position, and professional challenge. Each step brings me closer to my goal of building a meaningful, impactful career that blends finance, analytics, and the law—while creating opportunity for others along the way.

Academics

As a sophomore at Midwestern State University pursuing a double major in Business Analytics and Finance, I have built a strong academic foundation supported by a 3.75 GPA and a deep commitment to quantitative reasoning and financial analysis. My coursework has strengthened my ability to interpret data, understand market behavior, and apply analytical methods to real economic and financial questions.

A significant milestone in my academic development was being selected as a EURECA Undergraduate Research Scholar. Under faculty mentorship, I am conducting a research project that compares the behavior of U.S. Treasuries and high-yield bonds across different market conditions. Using Bloomberg Terminal tools and historical pricing data, I analyze interest rates, credit spreads, and liquidity indicators to understand why asset classes with similar day-to-day volatility can diverge sharply during periods of stress. This project has enhanced my technical skills, strengthened my empirical reasoning, and deepened my interest in fixed-income markets and financial risk.

My academic experiences extend across several quantitative and analytical courses. In Business and Economic Statistics, I led a semester-long project involving hypothesis testing, regression modeling, and data interpretation using real-world datasets. These assignments taught me how to evaluate statistical significance, identify meaningful patterns, and present findings with clarity and precision. In Business Finance and Macroeconomics, I gained exposure to corporate valuation, capital structure decisions, and the broader economic forces that influence inflation, interest rates, and growth. These courses have reinforced my understanding of how financial and economic principles shape both firm-level decisions and national policy.

Beyond coursework, my participation in the Redwine Honors Program has offered additional opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, academic enrichment, and leadership skill development. Honors seminars and community engagement activities have helped me think more broadly about the ethical, social, and cultural dimensions of business and finance.

Looking Forward

My academic path is intentionally structured to prepare me for advanced work in finance and analytics, with long-term goals that include pursuing the CFA Level I exam, completing further research, and applying for competitive internships in corporate finance, risk analysis, or asset management. I aim to use each semester to strengthen both my technical skills and my ability to connect financial theory to real-world challenges.

Ultimately, I plan to leverage my education to pursue graduate studies—potentially an MBA or law school—and to build a career that blends financial expertise, analytical reasoning, and a commitment to serving others through responsible decision-making.

Awards & Honors

Redwine Honors Program Scholar

2025 — Present

Accepted into the highly selective Redwine Honors Program, which recognizes students with exceptional academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and leadership potential. This distinction reflects my strong academic performance and my commitment to participating in interdisciplinary learning, service initiatives, and leadership development opportunities within the honors community.

Provost's Honor Roll

2025 — Present

Earned placement on the Provost’s Honor Roll for maintaining high academic performance across multiple semesters while balancing challenging coursework, leadership roles, and campus involvement. This achievement demonstrates my strong work ethic, time-management skills, and dedication to academic success.

EURECA Undergraduate Research Scholar

2025 — Present

Selected for the competitive EURECA Undergraduate Research Program, which supports student-led scholarly research. Under faculty mentorship, I am conducting a comparative analysis of U.S. Treasuries and high-yield bonds across different market conditions using Bloomberg Terminal data. This project has strengthened my skills in financial analysis, empirical research, and data interpretation.

LASO Leadership Recognition

Fall 2025

Recognized for outstanding leadership and active involvement within the Latin American Student Organization. This distinction reflects my commitment to fostering cultural engagement, supporting fellow students, and contributing to campus-wide initiatives through event coordination, mentorship, and community-building efforts.

Financial Management Association (FMA) Leadership & Service Recognition

Spring 2025

Acknowledged for significant contributions to the Financial Management Association through active participation, event support, and professional development initiatives. This recognition highlights my dedication to strengthening the finance community on campus, promoting financial literacy, and engaging with students pursuing careers in business and finance.

Relevant Coursework

Academic Year 2025-2026

Business Finance (FINC 3733)

In this course, I developed a strong understanding of the core principles that guide financial decision-making within firms. Key topics included time value of money, risk and return, capital budgeting, cost of capital, financial statement analysis, and the valuation of stocks and bonds. Using Excel and financial modeling techniques, I completed a variety of quantitative exercises that strengthened my ability to interpret financial data and evaluate investment opportunities.

Macroeconomic Principles (ECON 2333)

In this course, I studied the behavior and performance of the economy as a whole, with a focus on understanding key indicators such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and long-run economic growth. I explored how these variables interact to shape overall economic stability and business cycles, gaining insight into the forces that drive both short-term fluctuations and long-term development. Regular discussions of current economic issues deepened my ability to interpret economic news and evaluate policy effectiveness.

Business and Economic Statistics (BUAD 3033)

In this course, I gained a strong analytical foundation for data-driven business decision-making. Key concepts included probability distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, correlation, and regression modeling. One of my major projects involved a comprehensive performance analysis of Hamilton County Judges. This study evaluated judicial efficiency by examining work inflow, case outcomes, and rates of appeal and reversal. This project strengthened my ability to translate quantitative findings into practical insights for policy and managerial decision-making. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SXXkFev6IS-556C659GxUGQV0J2Vmr-a/view?usp=drive_link