Class of 2025: Parth Shah
Parth Shah, tennis team captain and CEO ambassador, began his journey on the Hill with enthusiasm — and carries that energy onward into his future. His undergraduate years are marked by his desire to help others, which was easy to do in the close-knit community of McDaniel. With a goal of one day earning his M.B.A., he built his hands-on skills by interning with the City of Westminster’s Finance Department and in classes like the Economics of Sports.
"Playing tennis for McDaniel has been an amazing experience that’s allowed me to have fun and compete at the collegiate level. I was able to establish some of my closest friendships through our shared interest in the sport."
When I took my first step on the Hill, I was:
Pumped to begin a new journey for the next four years!
The me who will ring the Old Main bell on Commencement Day is:
A determined, hardworking individual who is ready for the next phase in life.
Real-world experiences:
In January 2024, I had the privilege to intern with the City of Westminster as a Finance Department intern. In this position, I was able to leverage my skills in Microsoft Excel to record annual budget data, shadow other employees, and learn more about the inner workings of the department.
My aha moment:
My aha moment occurred when I realized that practicing patience delivered better results and paid off in the long run.
Footprints I'm leaving on the Hill:
I want to be remembered for being a cheerful, kind individual that spreads positivity around campus.
Faculty or staff member who most influenced who I have become:
The most influential faculty member for me is Professor Nick Kahn because of his polite and helpful personality. Dr. Kahn has always been a great listener and provides excellent, detailed explanations about class material. It is amazing to see his energy and passion when he enters the classroom with an enthusiastic attitude. His actions have inspired me to carry on his positive traits and incorporate them within my life.
Best class ever:
The best class that I have taken is Economics of Sports with Dr. Kahn. This class piqued my interest as it combined my love for sports with my passion for economics. It was fascinating to incorporate real-world sports scenarios and how they coincide with economic theory.
Tell us a little about your activities, including sports, during your years at McDaniel:
I am the captain of the McDaniel tennis team, Center for Experience and Opportunity (CEO) ambassador, and a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Playing tennis for McDaniel has been an amazing experience that’s allowed me to have fun and compete at the collegiate level. I was able to establish some of my closest friendships through our shared interest in the sport. As a CEO ambassador, I was able to coach students on the proper techniques for building resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. The ability to help people is what sparked my interest in becoming a CEO ambassador.
Took me totally by surprise:
I was shocked by how many people you meet and all the familiar faces you see on a daily basis.
My favorite spot on campus:
My favorite spot on campus has been Hoover Library, specifically the lower level. Being able to grab a cup of hot coffee from Caseys’ Corner and find a nice quiet location to do work was awesome.
Most mind-boggling idea I learned at McDaniel:
What amazed me about McDaniel was when I learned about all of the incredible resources and services offered to students. They offer support in almost any type of category you can think of, which I thought was super helpful.
What's next:
My plan after graduation is to search for a full-time position within the finance and investment field. After working for a few years, I plan on continuing my studies toward an M.B.A.
How will you stay connected to McDaniel?
I will keep in touch with friends, professors, and coaches along with taking trips back to campus for sporting events and social gatherings.
About Parth
