CMU Neuroscience and Finance student didn’t wait for an opportunity—she built it

Carolina Hernandez Ruiz from Madrid, Spain, didn’t plan on going to college in Michigan. But after finishing her senior year of high school with a host family who happened to be CMU alumni, it felt like the right fit.

“As a first-generation student, I wanted a school where I could meet new people but also feel supported,” she said. “CMU gave me both.”

She initially studied neuroscience but found herself increasingly drawn to the College of Business Administration. A few finance classes and student organization events later, she added a second major—not to replace her passion for the brain, but to expand the way she could help people.

“My ‘why’ has always been about learning and taking advantage of every opportunity available to me,” she said. “And that purpose has evolved as I’ve grown.”

Big goals, packed days

A typical day for Carolina starts around 7 a.m. and ends around 10 p.m. She’s used to balancing a full academic load—up to 22 credits a semester—with jobs, leadership roles, and research labs. In between classes, she makes time for the Student Activity Center, calling it her mental reset. “Moving my body helps me step away from school stress,” she said.

During her time at CMU, Carolina:

• Won national finance competitions
• Placed 1st in the Fall 2025 Spark Challenge, an entrepreneurship competition hosted by the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
• Served as an Engagement Coordinator for multiple years
• Organized CMU’s TEDx conference
• Became the first international student in 104 years elected as Student Body President
• Completed internships in Madrid and on Wall Street
• Was named a University Innovation Fellow—a program of Stanford University’s d.school

“I actually enjoy being busy,” she said. “It makes me feel productive and purposeful.”

From shy beginnings to bold leadership

When Carolina first arrived at CMU, she was shy and unsure. She worried about her accent and struggled to find her footing after COVID. But getting involved helped her connect, build confidence, and find mentors who pushed her forward.

“Showing up, being kind, and asking for help made all the difference,” she said. “People genuinely want to support you—and that changed everything.”

She found encouragement not just in faculty and advisors, but in alumni and peers across campus. From neuroscience labs to finance clubs to student government, she discovered how much she could contribute.

“As a first-gen and international student, I didn’t know what to expect. But I showed up, and I kept showing up.”

Why she’ll never forget CMU

 One of her favorite classes was anatomy. She also cited Brad Taylor, a finance faculty member, as one of her favorite instructors, noting that he “genuinely advocates for students, even when they’re not in the room.”

She built lasting relationships through Residence Life and the Honors Program. And she found her calling through finance competitions, entrepreneurship events, and real-world internships that combined all her interests.

When she thinks back on her five years at CMU, she doesn’t sugarcoat the hard parts. There were challenges. But the experience shaped her.

“Now, I’m persistent, hardworking, outspoken, and confident,” she said. “CMU pushed me to become the best version of myself.”

Where does purpose lead next?

 After graduation, Carolina will return to New York City to begin her full-time role as an AI Product Analyst at the Royal Bank of Canada, where she most recently interned—bringing together her neuroscience, finance, and entrepreneurship experience.

She credits CMU, and especially the alumni who mentored her, for helping her land the internship that turned into a job offer. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” she said.

Keys to making the most of CMU

“It’s okay not to know what you want to do,” Carolina said. “Most people feel the same way. Just show up, stay curious, and try things.”

She encourages students to look for scholarships early, get involved right away, and embrace both the wins and the growing pains.

“College is challenging, and that’s the point,” she said. “Enjoy every moment because it goes by very fast.”