Isaac Gutierrez found his passion for finance through a deeply personal lens—witnessing the impact of financial illiteracy within his own community. Determined to change that, he chose to study Business Administration with a concentration in Finance to help democratize access to financial knowledge and empower others.
“I want to learn as much as I can about the world of finance so I can help bridge the gap in financial literacy, especially for underserved communities,” he shared.
During his time at Irvine Valley College (IVC), Isaac stood out as a driven and mission-focused student leader. He served as Co-President of the Economics Club, a board member of the Financial Finesse Club, and an active participant in the Honors Program and Student Ambassador team. He co-founded the Research Opportunity Program of Economics (ROPE), which gives students the chance to conduct and present economic research—often in collaboration with professors from four-year universities.
While working multiple jobs to support himself, Isaac interned at SmartSuite, a startup with $38 million in funding, and also earned a Big 4 accounting internship offer from Ernst & Young (EY). This fall, he will transfer to the University of California, Berkeley, where he’ll study at the prestigious Haas School of Business.
Isaac’s ultimate goal is to work in venture capital—helping to fund bold ideas, guide startups, and drive innovation. If not venture capital, he envisions a career in financial strategy and operations.
His advice for future students? “Take initiative and put yourself out there in every way possible—no matter how big or small the opportunity may seem. Don’t let rejection discourage you. Rejection teaches you more than never trying at all.”