Ethan Loya, an Eastern New Mexico University student majoring in accounting and personal financial planning, wants a career where he can be successful by helping others be successful.
"The day I know I have made a client better off financially is the day I know I will have successfully contributed," said Ethan, who chose his field of study because he wanted to "interact more personally with clients. I want to directly be able to communicate with clients that will pay for my services.
"I hope to be a financial advisor/accountant. With my degrees, I will be prepared to get certification in both and am excited about the opportunities that will open by having both a CPA and a CFP license under my name.
"I am confident that by finishing my majors at ENMU it will open up many opportunities to build a successful career for myself," added Ethan, who will graduate in spring 2019.
The junior participated in an internship at ENMU where he prepared taxes in spring 2017 to get a head start on his career. He also has a part-time job at a bank.
His advice to students interested in accounting and personal financial planning is to "network, meet as many students as you can and be sure to get to know your instructors as they will have the best advice to succeed."
The member of the College of Business Accounting and Finance Club said that all of his business professors have been "great instructors. I should give a special shout-out to Dr. Debra Stone, Mrs. Konni Wallace, Mr. Nhat Ho and Mr. Corey Cole, who are very good at what they do and helped me out whenever I needed it."
Ethan, who has been on the Dean's List every semester and received the Woody Turner Endowed Scholarship in Accounting, chose to attend ENMU because it was close to home and affordable. "Getting a quality education with the low tuition rates made me come to ENMU," he explained.
His favorite part of being a Greyhound is the "opportunities; there is always something to do for anyone's interests."
He is involved with the Spanish Club and helped organize the Festival Romanico, where he made activities for high school students from New Mexico and Texas who come to represent their Latin heritage.
Ethan was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and lived there for five years before coming to the United States.
"My parents did not get a full education, so I hope to make them proud by getting one myself, and show my three smaller siblings that if I can do it, they can as well."
