Taelor Malcolm

What majors did you pursue and why?

At the beginning of my junior year, after being undecided for 2 years, I decided to double major in international business and economics. Business was something I have been drawn to since the start of my college career, though at first, I thought I would have a major in the humanities and minor in business. Business was an interest but for a long time, but it felt almost like an afterthought. During my freshman year I decided to take classes in each of my interest areas instead of focusing on one. By the middle of sophomore year, I began to notice a trend in the classes I was drawn to, and by the end of sophomore year I knew for sure. International business marries my love for international travel, understanding the different cultural norms in the business world, and entrepreneurial tendencies. Economics on the other hand, enables me to learn about the processes behind local and international marketplaces, what drives some decision-making processes, and how they all work together to create a global market.

Why did you choose the Belk College of Business/UNC Charlotte?

The Levine Scholar finalist weekend was my introduction to UNC Charlotte. The two days I spent in Charlotte put UNC Charlotte at the top of my list. I had heard little to nothing about the university in my own hometown and was hesitant to choose to go here. However, receiving the Levine Scholarship gave me the opportunity to not only visit the university, but speak with current Levine scholars, professors, and other students on campus. In short, the Levine scholarship allowed me to visit UNC Charlotte, meet current students and professors, and showed me that UNC Charlotte was a community I wanted to be a part of.

What activities are you involved in when not working or studying?

When I am not studying, I try to be an active part of the UNC Charlotte community by being a part of different student organizations on campus. Currently, I am the Treasurer for Special Olympics College, a student organization that helps connect Special Olympics Athletes to the UNC Charlotte community. I am also the finance chair for CLT Pulse, UNC Charlotte’s first Bollywood fusion dance competition.

What has been the best part of your academic experience so far?

During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Thailand. Living in a country for an extended period of time is very different than simply visiting. I learned so much about not only a different country and a different culture, but myself. Though I spoke very little of the language it was never difficult to connect with others around me as I found that there are some things that are universal even when language is not. My time abroad is something I will always treasure.

How would you describe the Belk College of Business to someone who is thinking about applying?

The Belk College of Business gives you all of the tools you need to succeed in your college career. From professors, to advisors, to other students, everyone wants to see each other succeed and achieve their goals. However, it is up to you to take the tools and opportunities the college provides, learn from them and use them to your advantage.

What does professional development mean to you?

Professional development to me means learning to be comfortable in whatever professional setting you find yourself in. It means learning from a number of different seminars, mentors, and professors, etc. about different methods you can use in a professional setting and choosing the ones that are best suited to you and your personality. There is no one way to be a professional, and even people who have been working for 20 or 30 years are constantly learning new things about their professional environment from the people they meet. We are all unique individuals, and our professional styles should reflect this.

How has being a Levine Scholar helped you?

As a Levine Scholar, I had the unique opportunity of starting at UNC Charlotte with an already strong support system. The Levine Scholar staff helped me to figure out how my varied interests could come together into a group of majors and minors that worked for me. The people in my cohort were the first friends I made at UNC Charlotte, and though I have met more people through student organizations, the business honors program, and simply sitting in class, much of my cohort is still my core group of friends.

What high school did you attend?

I attended Counterpane Montessori School in Fayetteville, GA.

In your opinion, what are the 3 best things about UNC Charlotte?  

UNC Charlotte has a wide range of majors and engaging professors to choose from which makes it perfect for people that prefer eccentric trajectories of study. It is connected to a fast growing, eclectic and vibrant city. Finally, the beautiful and ever-expanding campus is an environment that encourages learning, community engagement, and curiosity.

What is your favorite class that you have taken and why?

The Introduction to Urban Studies Class I took the fall semester of my Sophomore year has been my favorite class to date. Most introductory courses are structured as lectures that focus on cramming as much information as possible about a single subject into you in a semester. Urban Studies on the other hand challenged me to be creative with projects we were assigned, to present on subjects that I found interesting, and to engage in class discussions. Since it was not your average introductory course, it made me excited to attend class every other day that semester.

Tell us 3 random things about yourself:

My high school graduating class size was 4 (including me)
I’ve been on over 250 plane rides
I have read the same book (Ender’s Game) once a year for the last 10 years