Yuriy Mishtal ’23, a finance major and actuarial science minor, has spent his time at the University of Hartford becoming nothing short of ambitious. Mishtal has involved himself as an active member of the Actuarial Club, Gamma Iota Sigma, and the Barney Leadership Council, and has successfully completed several internships since his start at the University. However, it doesn’t stop here. Mishtal is currently making the most of his time by studying abroad in Amsterdam.
Studying in Amsterdam
Mishtal is currently studying abroad at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As he describes, “Studying abroad is a very mind-opening experience. You truly realize and appreciate the differences around the world. You get to meet people who are from a different background, and often the perceptions you had about a country before travelling are completely different by the end of it.” Would he encourage other students to study abroad? Yes. He explains, “Do it, because time is a finite resource and there is nothing better than to appreciate the world we live in. As nervous as I was to study abroad in a new country, it is now one of the best decisions I ever made and one I will forever remember.”
From Classroom to Real Business World
During his freshman year, Mishtal began his first internship experience as a field marketing intern with a Connecticut company known as Accounting Connections. He recalls, “The internship was both physically and mentally challenging.” He walked from door to door in the draining summer heat, trying to sell accounting services to potential clients. Even though many of the responses he received were harsh and discouraging, he used it to his advantage by highlighting the positive aspects of the experience. “I developed strong verbal communication skills that have translated to almost every aspect of my life. On top of this, I learned to appreciate the true grind and dedication it takes in achieving a goal; nothing in life worth achieving is ever easy,” Mishtal explains. He even returned to complete another field marketing internship with the same company later that year.
He then took on an intern role through the University of Hartford with Professor Heiden. Mishtal worked in the accounting and finance department with Professor Heiden and his son’s nonprofit organization, LEVO International, a company that creates strong communities through food security programs. He found that he acquired some major skills while on the job. He says, “One of these was how to be an effective leader and take responsibility for my actions.” This position helped Mishtal see the inner workings of this field. “This was a remarkable opportunity as it allowed me to apply all the finance skills I had learned to the real world. After this, I know what to expect in major projects in my career,” he says.
The accomplished Barney student describes how the Barney school gave him access to essential soft skills as well as hard skills to be successful in the workplace. “Barney offered courses unique to developing networking skills and professional communication skills.” Mishtal notes how valuable these skills were during the interview process and when building his LinkedIn account. He also points out the effectiveness of the academic clubs that Barney offers. Mishtal used his leadership position in the Actuarial Club to his advantage during a Spotlight Networking Event. He explains, “I talked with a representative of Oliver Wyman Consulting Firm, who helped arrange an interview for me with the company. Because of this, I successfully completed both interview rounds and was able to obtain an actuarial consulting intern role for this summer.”
Post-Graduation Plan and Advice
After graduation, Mishtal intends to enter the actuarial field, hoping to transform his newest internship opportunity with Oliver Wyman Consulting Firm into a stable position. He has hopes for the long term, as well. He goes on to say, “I’ve always dreamed of opening my own business; however, I’m not sure exactly what type of business that will be.”
What advice does he give to incoming Barney students? “Get involved in as many activities as possible inside and outside of campus. Stepping outside of your comfort zone opens you up to a world of new opportunities and important potential positions. College is a place to have fun, learn, and discover more about yourself. Push yourself to be better, but do not forget to make new friends and have some fun along the way.”
Yuriy Mishtal '23, Finance, minor in Actuarial Science, Barney School of BusinessI developed strong verbal communication skills that have translated to almost every aspect of my life. On top of this, I learned to appreciate the true grind and dedication it takes in achieving a goal.