Affable, blasé, and eager.  3 words of personal composition for the individual known as Mr. Michael L. Chen. While most would simply consider these three qualities to be friendly, easygoing, and diligent, Mr. Michael Chen finds that not everyone can be described by the same 3 words.  He believes everyone is unique in their own right.  Everyone has a particular peculiar goal, aspiration, and purpose. During the fall of 2007, Mr. Chen began his college career to pursue his ambitions in the economic field by attending the University of California, Irvine.  As an undergraduate studying Business Economics with a minor in Accounting, he is currently a sophomore expecting to graduate in the spring of 2011.  He has great interest in the financial and accounting world and hopes to focus his studies in certain fields beneficial to his career pursuits.  Prior to attending college, Mr. Chen graduated from Irvine High School in the nestled suburban community of Irvine, California. Throughout high school, he excelled on the Irvine High Swimming and Water Polo team for 3 years.  During his spare time, he enjoys the active lifestyle; playing basketball, snowboarding during winter season, and scuba diving in the summer.  Mr. Chen is often fascinated by the artistic nature of music and is an avid self-taught guitar player. He also finds great interest in keeping his native Chinese culture intact; learning to speak and read Mandarin fluently and reading Chinese literature.  While the interests display a different side of Mr. Michael L. Chen, he never ceases to focus in his studies and is always seeking to gain the most out of his college experience.

As a native of his hometown Irvine, Mr. Michael Chen was raised in the suburbs for the greater part of his life.  The secure and tranquil environment of one of America’s Safest Cities was an opportunity that enabled Mr. Chen to develop a path into the academic world while also formulating a goal-oriented mindset for his future.  Coming from a middle class family, he has never been pigeonholed into the common stereotype brought upon by the southern Orange County lifestyle.  His Chinese immigrant parents have always taught him success only comes to those who earn it and to those who continually challenge themselves.  During his high school years, Mr. Chen rotated between numerous jobs in the food service industry to after school tutoring programs for younger children; in this short time span, he realized the amount of hard work required just to earn minimum wage and the competitive business atmosphere necessary to excel in these jobs.  It is the diligent, do-it-yourself work ethic he gained early on in his teenage years that led way to his pursuit of a rewarding career path.

Upon graduation, Mr. Chen would like to earn his CFA license and work in a small scale investment banking firm to gain a more hands-on experience for moving further into his aspirations in the financial realm.  He would also like to continue his education by attending graduate school after a few years of work experience to receive his MBA and enter the financial derivates area.  Above all, Mr. Michael L. Chen pursues whatever challenges him in life.  Judging by the current economic times of America, his ultimate goal is to lend a small but impactful helping hand in guiding the country out of its troubles through his finance related experience.