2017 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Aileen is a third-year Economics major with an emphasis in Accounting. She is currently working two jobs as an office assistant at the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, and as a sales assistant at ASUCLA Catering. Aileen has interned as a Launch intern at Ernst & Young and will be an incoming tax intern at the firm this summer. When she’s not busy with school or work, she enjoys visiting new restaurants and trying different foods.

Future Plans: Aileen plans to become a tax accountant at a big four accounting firm and hopes to also pursue a law degree. She has always had an interest in law and believes that this would be a great way to work in two fields that she is passionate about. It was during her most recent internship that she learned how law and tax work together. She became even more motivated and inspired to pursue a law degree in order to expand her skills. Aileen hopes that after a few years of work experience at an accounting firm, that she can then go back to school and bring the two together.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship. I have worked two jobs throughout my college career in order to relieve the financial burden on my family. This scholarship is going to allow me to focus on achieving my academic and career goals. The award has also provided me the reinforcement needed to work even harder towards my goals. I am thankful for the Wark Family’s generosity and hope that one day I can pay it forward.