Financial Analyst gets adventurous
Sarah Tuma ’07 is a senior financial analyst at MetLife, Inc. She began working for MetLife in New York City in 2010 and moved to Dublin, Ireland, in September 2011. Sarah is helping roll out a program to build MetLife’s European financial hub. She is a member of the MetLife Makes a Difference European Board tasked with promoting volunteer programs within MetLife. Before moving to New York Sarah worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Lee Terry of Nebraska. While there she served on the executive board for the Nebraska Society of D.C. and was a volunteer with Everybody Wins! D.C
Q: What’s the most important thing you learned at Cornell?
A: Be adventurous. Cornell has so many opportunities to get involved and try new things. If I hadn’t become involved in some of the programs I did at Cornell I wouldn’t have developed the great friendships that I now cherish. Had I not learned to be adventurous at Cornell I never would have had the courage to change jobs and move to Ireland!
Q: How did Cornell change you?
A: Cornell encouraged me to be myself. I think one of the greatest things about the campus is that while it is small, there is a place for everyone. The community encourages everyone to embrace their individuality. My time at Cornell also afforded me the opportunity to gain some wonderful friends—friends that were not only there for a good time in college, but the people I’m closest to now.
Q: If you could go back and tell your 20-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
A: You’re not going to have a career tailored to exactly what you major in, so take classes that sound interesting. I loved my majors, and enjoyed (almost) all the courses I took in each one. But, Cornell offers so many amazing and interesting classes. If the course description catches your eye, go for it. You never know, you may be able to draw on things you learned in that class later in life. And if not, who cares? It was enjoyable!
Q: What person on campus had the biggest impact on you?
A: I learned a lot from Professor Savitsky. Not only did I learn about subject matter, I learned that putting in the time and effort will pay great dividends in life. All ECB majors know the most difficult course you’ll take is Intermediate Microeconomics. The problem sets that Professor Savitsky hands out in this class are brutal. While we all learn about economics with these problem sets, I think more is learned about how much work it really takes to get things done. Each student also learns how to produce good work in a pressure situation. The things I learned from Professor Savitsky are most definitely applicable to life in the working world.
Q: Where would you most like to live or visit?
A: Right now I’m really enjoying living in Dublin. The city has everything I need without being too big, yet I’m still able to be in the middle of nature within minutes. Ireland is an incredibly beautiful country. All the colors here are so vibrant and the scenery is truly breath-taking.
Q: What makes you happiest?
A: Spending time with my friends and family is my idea of a good time. Throw in some good food, a glass of wine, and some games … I’m not sure there is anything better than that!
