Sam Saunders, 2024

Sam Saunders is a senior Finance major with a passion for blending the analytical world of finance with the thrill of scientific exploration. He feels at home around the creative minds in the UMass iCons Program, relishing the opportunity to dive into projects outside of his field. Sam described his appreciation for the innovative instruction method employed in the program, saying: “With iCons, I was able to go off campus to do research, visiting a local farm to take soil samples or conducting a survey in the city of Boston with support of the Museum of Science, Boston. It was refreshing to take a step out of the ordinary and be involved in different activities and learn plenty while doing it.” Thriving in this diverse environment, he aims to gain knowledge that will sculpt him into a well-rounded individual.

Harboring a strong passion for chemistry since high school, Sam’s strong academic performance allowed him to become a supplemental instructor (SI) for Chemistry 112 – General Chemistry for Science and Engineering Majors. Conquering his academic pursuits while becoming a guiding light for other students helped Sam discover his hidden talent for teaching. “The chemistry SI program helped me realize my passion for helping others expand their knowledge. Seeing that light bulb turn on in other people’s minds was a gratifying experience,” he shared. Sam is pursuing a Chemistry minor and aspires to apply his conceptual knowledge in his future pursuits.

Sam is channeling his financial expertise into his honors thesis, working with Visiting Professor Hernan Bejarano from the Department of Resource Economics. Delving into resource economics in the realm of renewable energy, Sam's focus includes studying carbon pricing techniques, such as a carbon tax on carbon output, and assessing their potential impact on both intergenerational and intergenerational equity. His thesis stands as a testament to his dedication to creating positive change -- a commitment he solidified during his summer 2023 internship with Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. In alignment with the Foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life of the people in Western MA, Sam expressed his aspiration to make a tangible impact: "I want to go into a field where I can directly contribute to helping others, leveraging my skills to give back."

In the future, Sam envisions himself working in a public government role in a financial position or applying his passion for educating others as a high school teacher. Keeping his avenues open to opportunities where he can influence positive change, Sam strives to amplify his impact as much as possible.

Profile posted in 2024.