Passion for Justice
Balancing Work and Fun
Lester Uy, BSBA '17, Accounting Major, Legal Studies Minor
College life was all about finding the proper balance between work and fun for Lester Uy '17. He initially chose USF because of the strength of its financial aid program. He stayed because of the strength of the education he received in accounting — and the strength of the connections he made as a member of the University Classical Choral Ensemble throughout his tenure at USF.
What’s your favorite USF memory?
Being a part of the choral ensemble is my favorite memory. I did it for eight semesters, and it became an integral part of my life. Earning an accounting degree is extremely stressful, so being able to balance out that stress with something so different as music was a key to my success. You can’t get much farther from the rigidity of numbers than with the fluidity of music — needless to say, I was the only accounting major in the choir! A specific favorite memory would be singing Gabriel Fauré's "Cantique de Jean Racine” — the French lyrics reminded me of my childhood in Canada.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m beginning a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in August.
Put yourself out there right away, whether it’s joining a club you’re wondering about or befriending a stranger in your stats class. These four years go by quickly; don’t waste any time."
How do you want to change the world from here?
My vision of changing the world from here involves first going to law school and then making an impact in government through policy. My main interest is in our immigration policy. I’m a Canadian immigrant who was naturalized in 2013, so I have a unique perspective and desire to help those who face the same daunting process. My vision of an ideal world is one in which it’s not every man for himself, but rather one in which people are dependent on one another and find value in using their unique talents and interests to serve each other. This type of service is something that USF really emphasizes in its curriculum.
What’s your best advice to incoming USF students?
My advice to new students at USF is to make sure you look into all the resources that are available to you. There are always more resources and more people willing to help you access them than you think. Another bit of advice is to put yourself out there right away, whether it’s joining a club you’re wondering about or befriending a stranger in your stats class. These four years go by quickly; don’t waste any time.
