Honors finance student Madeleine Wright combines interests in people and finances
By Montana Burack, Honors College student writer
Madeleine Wright, a third-year honors finance student with a minor in anthropology, has connected her passions for people and business to build a career that makes an impact.
Drawn to studying different people and cultures, Wright originally came to Oregon State University as an anthropology major but found that the additional schooling required to enter the field didn’t feel like the right fit. As she embarked on her college career, she was drawn to business as a way to apply her interests in people and culture to a career that could make a difference.
Wright explored several majors in the College of Business, from business administration to accounting to business information systems, and ultimately settled on finance, which provided her with “a good understanding of a specific system within the business world while also being broad enough to apply to many fields.” She says that “everyone needs a finance person,” and she was drawn to how finance is relevant across industries, from business to health care to nonprofits. Wright also values how transferable the skills are across different fields.
“Majoring in finance has allowed me to have a strong foundation in financial literacy, an analytical mindset and the ability to work through problems,” Wright said. “Developing a solid understanding of finances and how money works is important to me, as I didn’t always have that background growing up.”
Still pursuing anthropology as a minor, Wright says that her interests complement each other well. “Anthropology and finance are an excellent pair. Finance gives me more of an analytical perspective, while anthropology helps me understand how people think and act, which can inform better business decisions.”
The access to resources that OSU provides as a large university, along with the opportunity to “constantly connect with different perspectives and environments,” while still being able to access smaller class sizes in the Honors College, led Wright to choose OSU.
For Wright, taking honors versions of business and economics courses has meant moving from large lecture halls to smaller classes of 25 to 30 students, where she has been able to receive one-on-one attention and explore real-world applications of course concepts.
“The learning environment in Honors College classes has significantly supported my learning,” Wright said. “Honors classes are personal, customizable and professors are passionate about what they teach, encouraging frequent feedback and interaction from students.”
While Wright is still exploring options for her thesis, she hopes to combine her interests in finance and anthropology to research how people of differing backgrounds interact with financial systems. She found her thesis mentor, Associate Professor of Finance Prem Mathew, through the Stage 2 thesis course, which is designed to help honors students explore their thesis interests and connect with faculty. Under his mentorship, she is considering several potential thesis topics, including how people from different cultures manage debt.
“The honors thesis is a great way for me to differentiate myself to employers by showing that I have the motivation and dedication to complete a long-term project and am passionate about gaining a deeper understanding of my field,” Wright said. “It also gives you something to look back on and be proud of. I’m excited to gain a deeper understanding of financial systems and how they shape people’s experiences, especially in different local contexts.”
Wright has also enjoyed attending the Honors College events such as Bob Ross paint nights, movie nights, Fall Fest and community coffees as well as networking events with professionals. She’s enjoyed the seminar courses that she has taken, including a memorable one focused on aviation.
A large part of Wright’s honors involvement in the has been working as an Honors College ambassador, where she gives tours and serves as a resource for prospective and current students, a role she has held since the spring term of her first year. “My experiences talking with students about the HC and OSU have allowed me to connect with a diverse group of people,” she said.
In addition to her work with the Honors College, Wright also works as an operations specialist at Dixon Recreation Center. She is involved in the art history club, medical sciences club and Women in Business. Wright says that these experiences “span my interests and allow me to explore areas I might not encounter in my classes while also building genuine connections and community.”
Wright is also a regular participant in intramural sports, which she says has allowed her “to connect with others across campus and have fun.” She hopes to win a league championship and take home a coveted intramural sports shirt before she graduates.
Wright is keeping her options open as she explores what direction to take after graduation. This summer, she will intern on the business operations side of a health care company, an experience she hopes will help her explore a potential career in health care administration.
Ultimately, Wright hopes to pursue a client-facing role where she can work with others on projects that make a difference. “I know I want my work to improve someone’s quality of life in some capacity,” Wright said. “At the end of the day, that’s what will make the work meaningful.”
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