Building community and confidence: Carmella Cortes’ CMU journey

When Carmella Cortes first stepped onto Central Michigan University’s campus, she didn’t yet know how much her time here would shape her future. Originally from Clarkston, Michigan, she was drawn by a scholarship and the welcoming feel of campus, and she quickly found herself building a home in Mount Pleasant.

“I chose CMU initially because of the scholarship I was awarded,” Cortes said. “After touring CMU, I really loved the campus and size of the school which definitely led me to committing here.”

Now a senior finance major with minors in legal studies and information systems, Carmella has discovered how her academic interests intersect and how her “why” has grown along the way. She started college curious about money and wealth management but soon realized her studies could extend far beyond finance. Adding her legal studies minor opened the door to future law school opportunities, while information systems gave her the chance to layer technology into her education.

“The ‘why’ behind my journey has 100% changed and evolved, and I am so grateful for that,” she said.

Building confidence through the Society of Women in Business

Like many students, Carmella arrived on campus unsure of how to get involved. It didn’t take long for her to find a space that helped her thrive. As president of the Society of Women in Business, she has been able to watch the organization grow from the ground up while growing her own leadership style.

“The most rewarding part of SWB is truly the sense of community we’ve been able to build,” she said. “I would not be nearly as outgoing and confident in my leadership skills if it weren’t for SWB.”

That sense of community carries into her work at the Career Development Center, where she serves as a Senior Career Peer Advisor. For Carmella, the role is more than just resume reviews and mock interviews. It is about witnessing other students succeed. “I have seen real-world results, where students come in for an appointment and then several months later, I see on their LinkedIn that they’ve accepted an offer. Those are definitely the best moments.”

Finance courses and faculty mentorship set the bar high

Inside the classroom, Carmella credits professors like Brad Taylor with setting high expectations and preparing her for what is ahead. “There has been no professor or class that has challenged and taught me more than Brad Taylor,” she said, recalling his finance courses as both difficult and rewarding.

Outside of it, internships brought the textbooks to life. Her work in wealth management, including her current internship with Plante Moran as a Trust Intern, has given her perspective on how estate planning and investment strategies play out with real clients. “It was definitely something I would recommend to any student looking to gain that real-world experience,” she said.

Balancing passion with practicality

For students just beginning their college search, Carmella encourages balancing passion with practicality. “It’s important to find a balance between what you enjoy and what you are good at, as both are important for success,” she said.

She also wishes she had realized earlier that no one has it all figured out. “Even the people you think have it all together … I can promise you they are struggling with things you have no idea about. I wish I would’ve known that everyone is just figuring it out as they go, just like you.”

Charting a career in wealth management and estate planning

As she prepares to graduate in May 2026, Carmella is setting her sights on a career in wealth management or estate planning. These are fields where she can combine her finance background with her interests in law and technology.

When she reflects on her time at CMU, one word rises above the rest: fun. Carmella remembers starting out as a freshman and wishing the years would pass quickly so she could return home. Now, as graduation nears, her perspective has completely shifted. “I love the person I’ve become because of college and CMU, and I am going to miss it so, so much,” she said. “Fire Up!”