As a master’s in fintech student, Nathan Kurelo Wilk ’22 is graduating with plenty of experience to set him up for success as a software engineer with Microsoft, where he’ll focus on artificial intelligence (AI) innovation.

“This role provides an excellent chance to continue working on cutting-edge projects, contribute to advancements in the tech industry, … and develop innovative solutions that can benefit people,” Wilk says.

The experiences that have helped him secure a job after graduation include:

• Co-founding a fintech business, Expand Financial LLC, to provide financial literacy support and integration of AI
• A fellowship with Meta
• Speaking at a Board of Governors meeting on behalf of UCF students about the opportunities available at the university and the economic benefit UCF’s talent pipeline provides to the state
• Traveling to New York with College of Business Dean Paul Jarley and business students meeting with the college’s corporate partners

During high school, the native of Brazil moved to the U.S. in 2017 — a decision that he found both challenging and exciting.

“I had to dedicate extra time to catch up on standardized exams, classes and the language, all while getting involved with new extracurricular activities and planning for college applications,” Wilk says. “When I started my bachelor’s in computer science at UCF in the fall of 2019, the transition felt much smoother. I knew that success depended on my engagement and making the most of the opportunities that came my way.”

“One of the standout aspects of UCF is how accessible the faculty are when it comes to exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.”

Wilk continued to take advantage of as many opportunities as he could when he began his master’s studies in fintech at UCF, which is offered through the colleges of Business, and Engineering and Computer Science. Launched in Fall 2022, the program is the first of its kind in Florida and teaches students how to harness the power of data, technology solutions, and financial services to reduce costs, improve customer experience, and create economies of scale.

“UCF has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey. The variety of resources available in entrepreneurship, professional development and networking helped me grow,” Wilk says. “One of the standout aspects of UCF is how accessible the faculty are when it comes to exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.”

At the start of his master’s studies, he completed a fellowship with Meta, where he collaborated with engineers and learned how major companies are driving innovation in fields like generative AI. In the semester following the experience, Wilks says he felt more prepared for his studies.

“Thanks to my experience at Meta, I was already familiar with these concepts, having built and understood similar models during the fellowship,” he says. “This background not only gave me a head start in the course but also inspired new ideas for innovative projects that went beyond the trend of chatbots.”

He also participated in meetings with employers like Google and Microsoft, helping him prepare for internships.

“I became an official junior varsity competitor for the prestigious UCF Programming Team, a tech lead for the Google Developer Student Club and a competitor and mentor of KnightHacks,” Wilk says.

Wilk has participated in dozens of hackathons — social coding events that bring computer programmers together to improve or build new software programs — often taking 24 hours to 36 hours.

“Hackathons have not only expanded my tech knowledge but also helped me connect with potential employers, leading to job offers, awards and grants,” Wilk says. “They’ve been a highlight of my education.”