UHV freshman ‘sticks with it’ for business degree
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| Benito Salazar |
The business world wasn’t necessarily where University of Houston-Victoria freshman Benito Salazar expected to find himself. He had never focused on donning a suit and grabbing a briefcase as a child.
But today, the 19-year-old, who said numbers have always come easily to him, has found himself majoring in international business.
“It’s just kind of something that happened through time,” he said, noting he was part of a high school accounting team that took second place in the state. “I’m really good with people, and I’m not easily offended. I think those things help when it comes to business.”
His work in the field spans beyond the classroom, however. Salazar recently took on a job as relationship banker with Trust Texas Bank in Victoria.
“I feel like banking is a good step forward,” he said. “It gets me started in the business world.”
Salazar, a Chicago native who later called San Antonio home, is part of UHV’s first-ever freshman class. He said being among the first carries both pros and cons.
“It’s new for everybody, even for the university,” he said. “There aren’t always activities going on, but everybody is figuring it out.”
For Salazar, the college experience has been somewhat of an adjustment.
He’s the only one of his San Antonio friends who ventured to Victoria, but he’s made friends with many of his neighbors in Jaguar Hall, UHV’s residence hall. In fact, when he isn’t at work or studying for classes, Salazar spends time playing sports with his college friends.
“We get out every day and play basketball or football,” he said. “I think we all enjoy it.”
Salazar looks forward to continuing toward his degree. In the meantime, he offered advice to other freshmen hoping to stay ahead in school: Stick with it.
It’s easy to get distracted in school, especially when surrounded by friends, but it can help students to keep their mind in the game.
“Get the work over with,” he said. “Go with it. It’s worth it to be here.
”The UHV Outstanding Student is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact UHV Communications Manager Paula Cobler or call 361-570-4350.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
