Paul Merage School of Business

Meet the Paul Merage School of Business Peers and learn what it takes to create and manage a business successfully. Ask the peers how you can prepare to find the perfect internship that will enable you to gain experience in the field of business!

Olivia Zhang

Major(s): Business Administration; Sociology

Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Extracurriculars

* Executive Vice President – Human Resources Management Association (2023 – Present)
* RCO Consultant – Office of Campus Organizations and Volunteer Programs (2024 – Present)
* Student Assistant – Leadership Development Institute at Merage (2024 – Present)

Why do you love UCI?

I love UCI because of the culture and atmosphere. The campus is lively in all the best ways with active organizations, a constant stream of events to participate in, and endless opportunities to meet new people and advance both socially and professionally. UCI is full of people who are eager to learn and grow. The offices here offer a vast array of resources that help students reach those goals, and the campus has an extensive support system that ensures students feel well-adjusted and equipped to achieve their dreams.

How can you be a successful Anteater?

UCI is a place with many opportunities, many of which you never would have considered participating in before joining UCI. Keeping an open mind is crucial in discovering new interests and passions because you never know the people you will meet, organizations you will join, or projects you will work on during your time here. I know the most valuable experiences I’ve had during my time at UCI came when I least expected and in situations I never would have imagined myself in when I first started. Being open to new experiences and willing to try scary things is crucial in optimizing your journey and succeeding at UCI.

What is one fun fact about yourself?

I was on the wrestling team in high school. Funnily enough, I joined because I filled out the wrong form and ended up going through conditioning. By the end of it, it was too late to back out! I ended up loving it, though, and went on to compete in multiple tournaments.