Jade Yeng

Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX

Major: Accounting

Year: Junior

1. Why did you join ABSA?

When I first entered college, I was struggling to find an organization that I feel was well suited for me. In high school, I was used to joining as many clubs as I could, and being able to build a community around it. So when I was translating that to some place here, it led me to ABSA. With ABSA, I have been able to find a place that has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally, and make friends that I can be myself around.

2. What is your favorite ABSA memory?

Boston CFT without a doubt! ABSA hold a lot of events throughout the year, so there are definitely a lot to choose from, but traveling somewhere with a group of friends is an experience that I do not think is comparable to any other. I was allowed freedom for myself to simply enjoy good company and good food without worries of anything else. It was a great trip and something that I will always cherish.

3. What’s your favorite thing about UT Austin?

The reasons that I chose UT Austin when I was looking at colleges was mainly because of location and academics. I wanted somewhere that was close-ish to home, but also somewhere I would be able to be challenged. However, since being here, I have come to realize that this university offers more than that. Yes, we have all heard that UT education can be said to be a public ivy, and that #WhatStartsHereChangesTheWorld, but beyond that UT has been able to provide me with a community of like-minded people who push my expectations for the world and my perspective. That’s my favorite thing about being here. The opportunity that I am given to be surrounded by so many diverse people who have opinions and drive to make a difference. There are so many people who have an open perspective, and are willing to take advantage of all the events and orgs that supplement exploration of who you are as a person - which only inspires me to do the same.

4. If you could give one piece of advice to your freshman self, what would it be?

Oof freshman me was lowkey a mess, and I entered college believing that I was prepared, and ignorant to how different college really is. Like everyone else here, I excelled in high school - things were kind of easy, and I felt like I was in control for the most part. Here, though? It was a transition to say the least. Which is why I would tell my freshman self that there is a timeline for everything. It might feel like you want to do everything now, and you feel behind everyone else, but that is NOT the case. Being comfortable with new things take time, and that is not something that can be rushed if you want to do well and learn a lot.

5. What is your dream job?

I think it would be really cool to be a food critic, where I would be able to get paid to eat good food, stay in nice hotels, and have the time of my life. I am in homeostasis whenever I have a full belly and am able to lounge around, so being able to do that, and profit? Sign me up. If you have ever seen StrictlyDumping, that would be the job that I would love.

6. What’s your favorite TV Show/Movie/etc?

TV show would have to be The 100, it is this really awesome Sci-Fi show that’s set in this future dystopia. It is a show that always keeps me on my toes, and has me engaged through the story plot, and while there is a consistent theme through all the seasons, the writers are still able to make it interesting everytime and it is so great 10/10 recommend.

Movie is The Greatest Showman, the cinematography of this movie. LET. ME. TELL. YOU. This movie is put together so well, and the transitions between scenes? The character development? The music? All of it is so good!

7. What is one thing that you love about yourself?

One thing that I love about myself is my confidence, and how it allows me to be independent and think for myself. While this is a trait that I is still in development, it is something that I think has come to describe who I am. In which, I do not need to be validated by others in order to feel accomplished, and allows me to be happy in whatever I do because I know that it is for me. However, I think that there needs to be a distinction between arrogance and confidence. Arrogance is where someone believes whatever they do is right, but for me and confidence - it is knowing what I am good at, and what I need to improve on. Then in accepting all of my flaws, it also means that I am aware of places that I can grow as a person. That is why I love my confidence, because it is able to make me feel comfortable with myself, but also willing to continuously adapt and learn.

8. Name the top five things on your bucket list

Go skydiving
Live in a big city
Be able to go to restaurant and not look at the price tag
Give back to my parents and be able to retire them
Be fluent in 3 languages