MS in Finance

Do you want fries with that? Some of the smallest things can pose the greatest challenge for international graduate students who are adjusting to life in the United States. So says Shanghai native Shaoqing (Alvin) Yao, a student in the Master of Science in Finance program.

“I had a lot of trouble ordering in restaurants . . . the many choices of sauces and what to add, like lettuce, tomatoes and pickles,” he says. The variety of offerings could make even a trip to the supermarket or pharmacy seen daunting.

For Kasemsit “Kas” Pathomsak ’97 MSF, professional and personal paths are shaped by a single philosophy. “It’s easy to go along and conform to what’s been done,” he says. “But the easiest thing is never the best thing.”

Theresa Bresten developed a taste for challenge early on. “My parents stressed the importance of learning new things,” says the Master of Science in Finance alumna. “I was taught that I shouldn’t limit myself.”

That nourishing lesson in self-confidence has helped take Bresten to the upper reaches of corporate America, most recently, as vice president and treasurer for HP Hood LLC.

“I have the opportunity to provide leadership when it comes to making business decisions on a multitude of issues,” says the Missouri native. “And I love that no two days are the same.”

Dan Keshian ’79, MSF ’88 is a serial startup starter. The Bentley trustee and Massachusetts native has made a career of turning the inspirations of local scientists and engineers into successful, industry-changing enterprises. His specialty: building companies around technology breakthroughs.

His own professional path started with a breakthrough of sorts. The son of a teacher and a policeman, Keshian arrived at Bentley after one year at a local technical college – prompted by a question from his economics teacher.