Maximizing a Carson College of Business Education

Story by Sue McMurray • Photo by WSU Photo Services

Maximiliano (Max) Prado (’18 Fin.) chose to attend Washington State University for several reasons. He had always heard about WSU’s Cougar family and was looking for affordability and a small town feel similar to where he grew up in Othello, Washington.

As a first-generation college student and a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, Prado also found a sense of community and empowerment when he joined the Omega Delta Phi fraternity and the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) student organization.

All of these factors were important because Prado has many passions and at least two careers in mind.

Ultimately, Prado knew the Carson College of Business would have the academic rigor, networks, and resources to help him maximize his business education in order to reach his goals.

Going Above and Beyond

As a child, Prado dreamed about becoming an astronaut. As he got older, his interest broadened to aerospace. As a freshman, he attended WSU career fairs for a chance to speak with the Boeing Company, the leader of the aerospace industry. At the time, Boeing reps encouraged him to keep up his passion and try for an internship during his junior year when he would be eligible.

To prepare, Prado focused intensely on developing diverse networking, public speaking, stock and other technical analysis, and other business skills by taking on as many leadership roles as possible through his fraternity, ALPFA, the Carson Center for Student Success Peer Mentor Program, and WSU’s Dare to Dream summer program that assists at-risk high schoolers to make up missing credits.

“As a mentor for these programs, I have impacted the lives of young minority students by showing them resources to apply for college, sharing my personal experiences, and most importantly, showing them that someone who comes from where they do can be successful,” says Prado.

Ready to Launch for Life

Prado’s impressive professional repertoire helped him secure an internship and later a full-time job in the Boeing Business Skills Rotational Program. The program provides three rotational experiences across multiple business disciplines within the company and offers opportunities through mentorship, seminars, and interaction with executives. Prado plans on working in corporate finance for a few years and eventually moving into management roles within the company.

But Prado’s ambitions don’t end there. He also plans to travel a lot to learn more about different cultures and ways of living so that he can open his own restaurant.

“I have always loved food, and I want to apply the knowledge I gain from my travels and management experience toward effectively running an upscale restaurant,” he says. “The Carson College of Business provided me with a diverse toolset I will be able to utilize throughout my life.”