Millikin Finance Major: A Day in the Life

Being able to balance schoolwork and baseball at the same time can be a difficult task. Learning how to do this takes a lot of time management skills, as well as drive. Finance is not an easy major in the first place and adding baseball into the mix can make it even more of a challenge. It can still be done at a high level, however. That is why I will be interviewing Lucas Ryan. Lucas is a Finance Major, Baseball Player, and a James Millikin Honors student. I will be interviewing him about what his day looks like, and how he accomplishes everything at a great standard.

First, I asked Lucas how he starts each day. Lucas stated, “Consistency is key. I start every single morning with a cup of black coffee, and a well-balanced breakfast.” Though he starts every day the same, they all look a little different due to his class schedule and baseball. His Tuesday’s and Thursday’s look the most similar, so I decided to go into depth on these two days. He acknowledges, “Every Tuesday and Thursday I get to sleep in a little longer until 9:30. I do my normal morning routine, and then have class from 11-12:15. After this class, I come back to the woods and enjoy lunch while watching The Pat McAfee Show on YouTube. That time adds a nice break in my day.”

Following this up, I asked him how the rest of his afternoon and evening looked like. He stated, “I go to Macroeconomics class from 2-3:15. I then usually go to the baseball field to hit in the batting cage and take fly balls. Before and after dinner is the time period that I use to finish homework and study for tests. I usually eat dinner at 6:00 and that is followed up with baseball lifting from 7-8:15. That basically concludes my day.”

“Focus on yourself!” – Lucas Ryan

I decided to interview Dr. Michael Osei. I have had Michael for multiple classes, and he is my advisor. Michael earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Oklahoma State University. He is a great business mind and is very easy to connect with. We have built a great personal relationship over the last two schoolyears, so I thought it would be perfect to ask him to do an interview.

First, I asked him about the importance of financial knowledge. Michael stressed, “Finance is the most important aspect of a business and the first letter of the so-called FAME subjects (Finance, Accounting, Management, and Economics). The world of finance is vast, has a greater job mobility and higher growth rate than most business careers. Financial literacy is also very important in today’s society and a major in finance will help you make financially responsible decisions.”

I also asked Michael for some advice he has for Finance Students, “Finance is an important part of everyday life and financial literacy can be the difference between poverty and a great life well-lived. So welcome to the world of finance! Remember, every decision in life involves a tradeoff so if you have made the decision to be in school and to pursue a major in Finance then make it count; give it your best shot no matter how challenging it may be! Choose excellence and do not settle for mediocrity or resort to excuses. No matter your background, believe you can for “if you can believe, all things are possible to [the one] who believes”. See each day as a gift and always make the most out of it!”

“If you can believe, all things are possible to [the one] who believes” – Dr. Michael Osei