Please feel free to reach out if your question isn't listed here, and I'll be happy to answer it!
Passionate and engaged. I love learning about all sorts of different things, solving problems, and coming up with solutions. When there's something that I care about, I bring a lot of enthusiasm and care to the table.
I love coming up with techniques and new ways of doing things that help not only myself but others as well. Troubleshooting is something that comes naturally to me, and I love to help others solve problems they may be facing.
I love adding value to a discussion and participating, whether I'm in class or at an activity.
For a more personal list of things I love to do, please see the question, "What do you like to do in your free time?" further down this list.
University of Colorado Denver
Business School
"In the modern business environment, companies survive on how well they utilize their information systems and technology. With this degree, you’ll develop the technical skills, business know-how, and administrative insights to help you make decisions on the acquisition, implementation, and management of technology."
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Information Systems
(Finance Specialization)
"The bachelor of science in business administration curriculum consists of 120 hours comprised of business classes and liberal arts classes to give you a well-rounded education."
May 11, 2024
Shortly after I graduate (May 2024).
I'd love to find a position where I can utilize my programming skills, whether it uses a language such as Python, JavaScript, or whichever language is most ideal for the job (if it's needed, I can learn it!). I also love technology, so anything related to tech is something I'll flourish in.
I'm taking a diverse set of courses at the moment. Here is what I'm currently studying:
-Python Programming (Programming Fundamentals with Python - ISMG 4400)
-SQL & Databases (Business Data & Database Management - ISMG 3500)
-SDLC Environments & Processes (System Strategy, Architecture & Design - ISMG 3600)
-Cybersecurity (Ethical Hacking Concepts and Methodologies - ISMG 4860)
-Emotional Intelligence (Cultivating Emotional Intelligence - BUSN 2110)
In my spare time, I'm also supplementing my programming studies by completing various courses on Python, Java, JavaScript and related technologies via Codecademy.
In addition, I'm studying and working toward earning my CFA Investment Foundations Certificate:
"The goal of the Investment Foundations® Certificate is to provide a comprehensive overview of the investment industry and its structure, function, and role in global capital markets and society. You will learn real, tangible knowledge of the fundamentals of the industry, and receive a framework to better understand, solve, and communicate solutions for complex issues. Completion of all 6 courses makes you eligible to take the final assessment, which when passed confers an Investment Foundations® certificate."
I've taken quite a few courses throughout my undergraduate studies. Here are the most relevant ones I've taken that I believe have helped set me up for success in my future role.
Tech Studies
-Web Design & Programming (Designing for the Web - ISMG 2800)
-C++ Programming (Fundamentals of Computing & Lab - CSCI 1410/CSCI 1411)
-IT Infrastructure (Business Data Communication & Networking - ISMG 4700)
-Technology Today and in the Future (Technology in Business - ISMG 3000)
-Computers & IT (Introduction to Computers - CIS 1010)
-Excel Techniques (Introduction to Business Problem Solving - ISMG 2050)
Business Studies
-Corporate Dynamics (Managing Individuals and Teams - MGMT 3000)
-Business Principles & Concepts (Introduction to Business - MGT 1000)
-Business Presentations & Reports (Business Communication and Report Writing - BUS 217)
-Making Ethical Decisions (Business Ethics - PHI 3360)
-Effective Public Speaking (Public Speaking - SPE 1010)
-Business Mathematical Applications (Finite Mathematics for the Management and Social Sciences - MTH 1310)
Finance Studies
-Financial Concepts (Principles of Finance - FNCE 3000)
-Financial Analysis (Management of Business Capital - FNCE 3500)
-Understanding the Financial System (Financial Markets and Institutions - FNCE 3600)
-Investments (Investment and Portfolio Management - FNCE 3700)
-International Finance (International Financial Management - FNCE 4370)
-Practical Finance Applications (Corporate Financial Decisions - FNCE 4500)
General Studies
-Understanding How People Work (Introductory Psychology - PSY 1001)
-Understanding Society (Introduction to Sociology - SOC 1)
-Macroeconomics (Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics - ECON 2012)
-Microeconomics (Principles of Economics: Microeconomics - ECON 2022)
I'm currently working on three different projects in three of my classes.
Python Application
In my Python class, I'm developing a program that's a habit optimizer. I realized there were some habits I wanted to have in my life, and I needed a way to track them and see where I could improve. With all the activity data recorded via custom Siri shortcuts, I can then go through and process that data with Python. Using various custom-built functions, I can then extract useful information to then create detailed reports and charts that give insight into my historic activity.
The program utilizes a mixture of Siri on iOS, Python classes and objects, file access and data manipulation, as well as a personally built GPT utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to act as a consultant and give helpful habit-building advice.
SQL Database
In my database class, I'm developing a database that's made for a fictitious non-profit I imagined. The project started with the design of the entities, culminating in an entity-relationship diagram (ERD). The second phase of the project is to build that database via programming with SQL within Oracle SQL Developer.
Mendix App
In my Systems class, we're each starting to use the low-code platform Mendix to learn how to build custom apps that can serve as solutions to meet work environment needs. We'll each be developing an app that explores the various features that Mendix has to offer.
Future Projects
In the near future, I plan on working on my own projects using various programming languages such as Python and JavaScript to eventually include in my portfolio.
Customer Service Industry
-Qdoba Mexican Grill (Catering Delivery Specialist: Learned how to communicate and interact with many corporate clients and refine customer service skills)
-Macy's (Sales Associate: Learned how to improve operations and continue to refine customer service skills)
Music Industry
-Capitol Records/EMI (Administrative Assistant for two Product Managers: Learned how to talk on the phone in a business setting)
-Moonshine Records/BPM Magazine (Mailroom Clerk: Learned how to meet strict deadlines)
-Thrive Records (Intern: Learned how to use Excel in a business setting)
Personal Project
-OakenfoldMixes.com (Founder: Learned how to research and find information on the internet, set up and manage a website, manage social media accounts, and make connections and collaborate with strategic partners around the world.)
Yes! I'm currently a contributing member in the CU Denver Ethics Club (Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program), and I'm really enjoying it.
I'm also involved with the following clubs:
CU Denver Information Systems Association Student Club (ISA)
Member
CU Denver Cybersecurity Club (Transamerica Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Student Club)
Member
D Incuvator at CU Denver | Incubator for Innovators
Participant
I'm quite busy this semester taking 5 courses, but when I do have free time, I love to do the following:
-Hang out with my friends!
-Exercise outdoors
-Discover and listen to new music (BBC Radio 1 from the UK and Triple J from Australia are my go-to's!)
-Listen to my favorite songs from my favorite genres (Trance, Electronic Dance Music, Downtempo, Pop, Punk, Classical, Baroque, and Soundtracks)
-Watch a good movie every once in a while! (Love Sci-Fi)
-Listen to my favorite podcast, Smashing Security (It's a hilarious podcast covering the latest cybersecurity stories throughout the world)
-Read (I love learning, so I've got quite the library built up!)
-Talk on the phone and catch up with my family
-Watch funny cat videos on YouTube! (I love cats so much, haha)
-Technology (I've always loved technology for as long as I can remember. It's very cool to be living in the age of computers. I always love finding ways to use technology to enhance my life and others'. I'm looking forward to getting my new Apple Watch soon! There are so many cool ways you can use something like that to make life easier. Also, I love making and using spreadsheets.)
-Learning (I love learning whenever I can. Whether it's from life experiences, books, movies, articles, podcasts, or YouTube, I always value an opportunity to learn and improve.)
-Music! (I also used to work at various record labels in the music industry in Hollywood, CA, which was a very exciting experience.)
-Paul Oakenfold's Musical Career (I've been listening to DJ Paul Oakenfold for the majority of my life now. I've come to be an expert on his career, particularly the 90s era of it. I started a website called OakenfoldMixes.com in 2009 and maintained it for many years. It's currently on hiatus until I can find some free time in the future to resume the project.)
-Great Movies (I love movies that make you think or movies you can learn something from. I really enjoy a good Sci-Fi movie that gets you thinking about where we are, where things are going, what could go right, what could go wrong, and what we can learn from it all. Some favorites are Contact, Ex Machina, Terminator 1 & 2, Office Space (hilarious!), Margin Call, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, The Time Machine (1960), Prometheus, as well as the series Silicon Valley (also hilarious), and Black Mirror.)
-Internet Privacy (With the world becoming increasingly connected, this is something I've come to value. I've always loved the Internet, but it's also very easy to lose some degree of privacy when using the Internet. That's why you might notice I'm not on any social media anymore—it's a little experiment I'm doing at the moment. I still love connecting though, so I'd love to hear from you!)
Learning time management skills! I had never had these skills before, and because of that, I wasn't reaching nearly as much of my potential as I could have over the years. This has all started to change recently.
Before I went into this semester, I had a goal of excelling in all my classes and getting straight A's. It was either sink or swim for me as I struggled to try to reach my goal while learning how to build these skills quickly. It took me a few weeks of trial and error trying different strategies, but I finally designed a custom solution using Excel that's working out great. This solution was inspired by a slide my Emotional Intelligence professor showed us on the first day of class featuring a formula for allocating study hours.
As a result of this system, I'm now reaching more of my potential, enjoying all my classes more, maintaining straight A's, all while having time leftover to do the fun things I enjoy in life, like hanging out with friends and doing fun activities. I'm very proud of how my hard work is already showing real results. It's been life-changing. I'm looking forward to learning more about time management and am excited to see where that learning and implementation will take me!
© 2023 Eric Vargas