Jessica Chang ’16
Class Year
2016
Area(s) of Study
Finance
Hometown
Redondo Beach, California
Co-curricular
Richter Scholar Resident Assistant Stentor staff member Handball team Investment Club
Internships
JP Morgan Analyst
She started at Lake Forest College intending to major in politics and minor in French, but dropped both, switched to finance, and already has a full-time job waiting for her after graduation.
Not only does Jessica Chang ’16 already have a job lined up, she managed to complete her graduation requirements in three years, thanks to AP credits and her participation in the Richter Scholars Program. With just a few weeks left before Commencement, Chang is a Forester you should know:
Q: What drew you to Lake Forest College?
A: “I grew up in Redondo Beach, California, but didn’t find out about Lake Forest College until my senior year of high school in Illinois, when a fellow classmate suggested I apply. My mom, dad, and I got a personalized tour of campus that really cemented my decision. I really liked it here. I remember walking past Blackstone and Harlan and thinking it would be really cool living here. I ended up loving it.”
Q: Have you had experiences here—besides your classes—that have helped prepare you for your future?
A: “There are several experiences that have made a difference for me. My RA job, where I learned to deal with all kinds of people and situations and built my communications skills. Working on the Stentor all my years here, which gave me a ton of experience trying on all sorts of different things—writing stories, doing layout, selling ads. That taught me to embrace new things. Being a member of the handball team taught me a lot about self-discipline and learning to be part of a team.”
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: “The newspaper and handball take up a lot of my time outside of classes, and I’m also in the Investment Club. After that, I spend a lot of time with my friends.”
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: “Last summer, I had a 10-week internship with JP Morgan as an analyst in the asset management line of business in their private bank. A week after my internship ended, they offered me a full-time job once I graduate. I start in July, but will spend the first five weeks in New York City training. After that, I’ll be back in Chicago. But before all of that, I’ll be busy looking for an apartment in Chicago.”
Q: Any advice?
A: “Because this is a liberal arts college, embrace the spirit of liberal arts and try to become as well-rounded as you can.”
Q: Parting words?
A: “Try everything and have a good time doing so. That’s what I did. I tried a little bit of everything.”