Jeremy Peel

Jeremy Peel is an transfer finance major from Zion, IL

Hometown: Zion, IL

Class Of: 2022

Transfer from: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I aspired to be an entrepreneur but didn’t know what type of business I wanted to start. I was always very selfless and took great joy in servicing others and making others happy, so I decided whatever business I created would be a service business. I am pursuing a major in finance because I have always been interested in and had a talent with numbers, so I figured I could make the biggest impact on a service business in a finance role. 

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is finance, and I decided to major in finance because growing up I was always interested in numbers. Math was my favorite subject, and combining that with my entrepreneurial dreams, I started to learn the math involved in business decisions and management. My dreams of servicing the people of the world and bringing joy to others is what motivated me to take on this major and career path. 

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
Something I’ve found surprising about my experience at NIU is how much the faculty and staff care about you and your success, even on an individual level. I’ve made great, long-lasting connections with a lot of faculty and staff here both in person and through social media. 

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I’ve connected with other students through my classes, residence building and dining halls. The people at NIU have been very friendly and welcoming to me, and I have formed many new friendships from things like class, going to social events and clubs. 

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am involved in the NIU Investment Association, and I’m also a community advisor at my residence hall (Stevenson). These have added to my experience as a Huskie by giving me the opportunity to learn more about the things I’m interested in, such as finance in the Investment Association, and allowing me to gain leadership and management skills as a community advisor for my residence hall. 

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you succeed? And how?
NIU’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office has certainly helped me succeed by allowing me to not have to burden myself as much financially to work toward my academic and career goals. I am very grateful for that, and it has certainly played a huge part in my success as a Huskie. Another resource that has benefited me greatly is Career Services. I’ve met with them regularly and told them about the type of career goals and dreams I have. They have custom-tailored my courses to be perfectly aligned with my personal career goals and dreams, and that has meant the world to me. 

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
Matthew Benning, who teaches finance, has been one of my favorite professors. The courses he taught me were business career planning and business professional development. He is a very intelligent professor and taught me valuable skills and techniques for business planning. He also cares about his students on a personal level and tries to get to know them as much as possible, which was something I liked and reciprocated with him. 

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I have benefited from attending class regularly by being able to ask questions on the spot to get a better understanding of the lessons and tasks, network with other students and connect regularly with the professors. 

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is the Holmes Student Center. I’m drawn to it because it’s sort of a jack-of-all-trades location where students can study, relax, socialize or do activities with friends, such as play pool or bowl. There’s also dining and snack options at the HSC, so that combined with how big it is makes it that much more of a great spot for students. 

What advice would you give to a student who is applying to colleges?
Advice I would give to a student applying to colleges would be to explore your passions and find what you really want to do as far as a major and career path. Pick the college you believe is the best fit for you, maybe after taking visits and doing your own research. I’d also tell them to figure out a college schedule that works best for them as far as productivity goes, while also incorporating some of their own creativity. My last bit of advice for them would be to not overwhelm yourself! I’d tell them to find time to take breaks and enjoy their college experience. 

Coming to college, what is something that you have had to learn to do differently?
Something I’ve had to learn to do differently coming to college is manage my time. Coming out of high school, my routine of schoolwork to sports and my social life was much different than my college routine. I realized I was much busier in college with academics, clubs, jobs, extracurriculars and my social life, so I had to manage my time better to be able to enjoy the breaks, days off and trips home I did have. 

What do you do to relax or recharge?
To relax or recharge I like to play pool or bowl at the Holmes Student Center with my friends. I also play video games sometimes with friends, and I like to cook, whether for my friends or myself. These are some activities that I personally find relaxing and help me take my mind off the everyday grind.