Tanya Bharoocha

I was born in the United Arab Emirates to a Pakistani father and an Indian mother. My sister, Amber, was born two years later. When I was almost six years old my parents, my sister, my grandma, and I moved to Santa Barbara, CA to join my uncle and his family. We were the last of my fathers' brothers to move to the United States. It was difficult to get accustomed to a new culture, but I was fascinated by it and eventually fit right in.

My family moved two more times before we finally settled in Concord, CA. I attended Ygnacio Valley High School and worked for P.F. Chang's China Bistro from my sophomore year and on. I decided that I wanted to go to the University of San Francisco because it was a small school with small class sizes and it was close to home.

I knew that I wanted to major in business, but I was not sure of which part so I declared a business administration major. After changing, adding, and subtracting majors and minors a few times I finally decided that I wanted to major in accounting and finance.

I am still working for P.F. Chang's China Bistro. I have been fortunate enough to work as the office manager for over two years which has helped me to gain business experiences that are rare to most of those at my grade level. At present, along with P.F. Chang's, I am doing an internship with Ernst & Young, the firm I would ultimately like to work for after I graduate.

The remaining year of college will be spent as President of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting and finance fraternity. I believe that this will also give me unique experiences and skills that will prepare me for the road ahead.

I would like to thank the Financial Women's Association for the opportunity that they are providing me with. They are allowing me to network with women who I admire and greatly respect, and I could not be more proud to have received such an honor from them.