Avrey Callis ’26

I grew up just outside of Las Vegas, and my path has always been shaped by a deep connection to my home state. After college in Reno, I worked for Nevada’s Office of Economic Development to attract foreign investment, promote the state’s businesses abroad, and strengthen global partnerships. As I researched upstream supply chains, particularly in critical minerals, mining and energy, I realized I wanted to pivot into the private sector and deepen my understanding of the financial mechanisms that drive these sectors forward.

When I visited SOM and sat in on a class, I saw firsthand how engaged and thoughtful the discussions were. The ability to take electives across Yale and learn from the university’s strong faculty meant that I could tailor my education to what is most important for my career pivot. Just as importantly, I’m here to figure out how to create value beyond myself, mobilizing ideas and curiosity into real change.

When I first read about the integrated curriculum, I was fascinated. I majored in philosophy in college, and the SOM core felt similar in that it asks us to approach questions from different perspectives. I’ve enjoyed the overlap and continuity between courses. One of my favorite moments was when a case from Operations Engine suddenly made a concept from Modeling Managerial Decisions really click. I hadn’t even realized how much my thinking had expanded until I saw the connections happening in real time. I’m also taking Renewable Energy Project Finance, a challenging course jointly offered by SOM and the Yale School of the Environment which has given me hands-on experience directly applicable to my summer internship.

Outside class, the Economic Development Club was a natural fit for me. I also work with an initiative at the Center for Business and the Environment (CBEY) called Beyond the Buzzwords, where we break down sustainability-related concepts to improve access to information for a lay audience. Programs like CBEY testify to Yale’s commitment to interdisciplinary education. This approach has allowed me to broaden my perspective and gain valuable skills beyond traditional business education.

Coming from a government background, the finance recruiting process was entirely new to me, and the learning curve was steep. What stood out was the level of support from my peers. Second-year leaders took time to provide guidance, and we first-years constantly helped each other conduct mock interviews and discuss key concepts. This experience reinforced what makes SOM unique: even in a competitive recruiting environment, there’s a culture of paying it forward and helping one another succeed. In the end, I landed with a firm that aligns perfectly with my interests and goals.