Matthew Powers

Even after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Matthew Powers ‘08 continues to show his dedication to the Commonwealth Honors College, an opportunity he discovered after entering UMass.

After being prodded by his friends, Powers, a Finance major, attended an Honors information session and was hooked: “I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and staff.  What really won me over though was the incredible sense of community that existed in [the] Commonwealth College.”

Once a part of the program, Powers did not hesitate in taking advantage of the multitude of opportunities afforded to him through the Honors College.  He took courses outside of his major, attended classes as part of the Five College consortium, spent a semester abroad in Australia, and even worked as a peer advisor in the office.

Powers credits the flexibility of Commonwealth Honors College in allowing him to challenge himself outside of his particular major.  Being a part of the Honors program challenged Powers to think critically, but also allowed him to grow as a person, both academically and culturally.

Upon graduating UMass, Powers joined Goldman Sachs in New York City where he served as an Associate in the Credit Derivatives Operations Group.   Recently, he moved to Uber Technologies, a transportation technology start-up that connects drivers with clients, as an Operations and Logistics Manager.  He credits both UMass and the Commonwealth Honors College for preparing him for the fast-paced world of finance and start-up life.