Get to Know: Padraig McEnery
Congratulations to this week’s Daniels Student Spotlight, Padraig McEnery! McEnery is being recognized for his willingness to share his non-traditional college experience with prospective students, as well as working to be highly involved on campus through participation in student groups.
Major
Finance, with minors in Accounting and Business Information Analytics
Year in school
Senior
Hometown
Elmhurst, IL
What has been your favorite DU moment?
There have been some great moments I’ve made during my time at DU; whether it’s the events I have attended from different clubs, the great experiences like studying abroad (pic is at Stirling Castle in Scotland) or taking the Reiman Fund. I’d say my best moments have been from TAing in the MOS program, being on the Daniels Ambassador Team (DAT) and playing club hockey. TAing and DAT have allowed me to meet new and incoming students at Daniels and work on soft and hard skills, like public speaking and Microsoft Office. I also get to share my positive experiences at DU and Daniels, and knowing I can make an impact on others is especially rewarding. Club hockey has allowed me to play the sport I have been playing my whole life and do it with some great players.
What is a piece of media you’d recommend to other students?
I am currently reading an old classic, ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’ It is a self-help book that has simple yet great advice on working with people. It was a book that was recommended in one of my classes and finally committed to getting it. I also try to stay up to date with the market by reading a short newsletter called Morning Brew. It is a daily free email newsletter that gives short updates on what is going on domestically and internationally. There is also a short daily podcast called Wall Street Breakfast by Seeking Alpha; it is a good daily listen that can help you keep up with the news. When reading the news, it can be tough to catch everything from the day, but if you stay persistent with it, you catch on with what’s important. I haven’t had the chance to finish several TV shows, but one funny show I’ve caught a few episodes of is Shoresy. It’s about a hockey team in Canada and has sharp wit and great satire. It’s on Hulu.
What is your favorite way to get involved on campus?
The best way to get involved is by doing things you want to do! There are many clubs, frats and other groups you can join. I am in a couple of clubs like the Finance Club and the Consulting Club, and I also play club hockey. I’ve met some of the closest people I know through these clubs. If you are looking for a club to join, ask around! There are plenty of resources at Daniels to guide you, and your fellow students would be happy to talk about the clubs they are involved in as well. That’s what I did!
What is your favorite place to relax?
I have recently been doing some grounding around campus; it’s a great way for me to slow down and get some fresh air. There are some great spots on campus to ground and people watch, like by DCB, AAC, the water at SIE and Sturm. The second floor at AAC on the northwest end also has some great views of campus and some of Denver.
What is your favorite campus event to attend?
My favorite events on campus have been student panels, company spotlights or other events that allow me to listen and learn from individuals about their previous experiences to gain advice or tips. The Finance Club and the Consulting Club have been great with bringing people in and speaking about their careers, the company or industry they work for, and other useful stuff to know as someone who is going into the workforce.
What is one piece of advice that you would tell your first-year self?
Put your head down and work hard, but be sure to take a breather and appreciate what you have done and where you are. Before you know it, people will ask you to do things you didn’t believe you could achieve, like speak to people about your time here or answer a few questions for the Daniels Student Spotlight!