Long hikes. Hoops. A hunger for adventure and amazing Mexican food. And a passion for numbers. Meet Future Leaders Intern Renato V. in this installment of MELE’s Five Questions series.
You’re pursuing your degree in accounting at the University of Maryland’s (UMD) Robert H. Smith School of Business. What inspired you to pursue accounting and what is your favorite aspect of UMD life so far?
I got into accounting for two main reasons; I’ve always been drawn to numbers, and I was inspired by my cousin and his wife. They both majored in accounting and have built genuinely fulfilling careers and lives because of it; they always tell me it was the best decision they have ever made. On top of that, the job market right now is questionable, so I wanted to go into a field that’s consistently in demand.
As for UMD, my favorite part has been the open, walkable campus environment—everything I need, whether that’s friends, food, or something fun to do, is just a short walk away, and that freedom has made college life a lot more enjoyable.
You are going to pursue your CPA license. This is no easy task. How is UMD preparing you—and what are you doing on your own—to prepare for the rigorous, challenging 16-hour CPA test?
UMD has given me a strong foundation through my coursework, especially in tax and financial accounting, along with access to study resources and guidance from professors who’ve been through the process themselves. On my own, I’m supplementing that with CPA review apps like Becker and other study tools. I’m planning to break the material into manageable sections rather than trying to tackle all 16 hours at once. Pacing it out that way makes a huge test feel a lot more achievable and easier to study for.
If you could take a 2-week vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and why would you choose to go there?
Right now, I’d choose Oregon. My friends and I have already put together an itinerary of hiking trails out there that are supposed to be beautiful, and a lot of them are close enough together that we could hit several without long travel days in between. Two weeks would give us more than enough time to actually enjoy the hikes and the views without rushing, plus rest in between. If I only had a few days or a week for a trip, I’d go back to Switzerland or Portugal; both have that same mix of scenery and adventure that I live for.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had and what made it special? If you don’t have an all-time meal, then what’s your favorite, go-to food spot?
I’ve tried a lot of different foods over the years, but I don’t think I have a “best meal.” My favorite meal would be a nice ribeye with mashed potatoes, but my go-to food spot is a Mexican restaurant called El Guero. They have great prices, amazing food, and I am honestly never disappointed after a meal from them.
What is your favorite thing to do for fun and why do you enjoy it?
I don’t really have just one favorite since I split my time pretty well between hiking, lifting, and playing basketball. Each one gives me a different kind of energy and keeps my life interesting, and they all come with the bonus of getting to hang out with friends while doing them. I’ve always loved being active and outdoors, so doing any of these feels like I’m really hitting the nail on the head and keeps me feeling my best.
