Christopher Cedano Alcala arrived at Onondaga Community College with limitless ambition. All he needed was a roadmap for his future. "I didn't have every step of my career planned out when I started college," he said. What he did have was a willingness to get involved.
In just three semesters, the Liverpool High School graduate earned his Business Administration degree while taking advantage of every opportunity that came his way. He served as President of Student Government, joined the Extraordinary Men of Distinction Club, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Business Club, and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP).
Each experience helped prepare him for the next. Through C-STEP, Cedano Alcala earned an internship with Brackens Financial Solutions Network. What began as an opportunity to gain experience soon became the moment he discovered the career he wanted to pursue.
"My internship at Brackens was foundational in helping me choose a career in wealth management. When I first started, I wasn't sure what I wanted to pursue long term. As I gained hands-on experience and worked alongside the Brackens team, I realized this was a career I was genuinely passionate about."
The internship also changed the way he viewed the financial services profession. "I learned that wealth management was much more than numbers. It was about building lasting relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families. I was drawn to the combination of developing personal connections while also applying technical knowledge to help clients achieve their goals."
After graduating from OCC in December 2022, Cedano Alcala completed basic training with the United States Army Reserves before transferring to Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Policy Studies.
Today, he is putting those experiences to work in New York City as a participant in the UBS Graduate Talent Program, rotating through different areas of the firm's wealth management business while gaining experience that will help shape his career.
Looking back, Cedano Alcala can see how opportunities at OCC helped make everything possible. "OCC gave me a strong foundation, Brackens showed me what a career in wealth management could look like, and Syracuse helped me continue building toward that goal."
Just as important as the academics were the relationships he built at OCC. "The people are what stand out the most. I was fortunate to have professors and mentors who genuinely cared about my success and were always willing to help. Those relationships made OCC feel like a community rather than just a place to attend classes."
As he reflects on the journey that has taken him from OCC to one of the world's leading financial services firms, Cedano Alcala hopes current students recognize that they don't need to have every answer on day one.
"One thing I've learned is that your path doesn't have to be perfectly mapped out from the beginning. If you're willing to work hard, stay curious, and take advantage of opportunities, things have a way of coming together."
His advice is simple. "Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, even if it feels outside your comfort zone. Apply for internships, introduce yourself to professors and professionals, ask questions, and build relationships. You never know which conversation or opportunity could completely change the direction of your career."
For Cedano Alcala, that's more than advice. It's the story of his own journey. "I'm incredibly thankful for my time at OCC and the role it played in helping me get to where I am today," he said. "It gave me opportunities, confidence, and relationships that continue to have an impact on my career."
