UNION News

Rameen Zahed ’95

Categories: Alums in the World

A smiling bald man wearing a black shirt stands indoors. Colorful stained glass decorates a window behind him on the right side of the image. The background wall is light-colored.What do you do?

During my final year at UTS, I was a field intern at Covenant Baptist Church (now, United Church of Christ) in Washington, DC.  I then worked for the UCC Office for Church in Society for a year.  When that was over, I temp’d at an energy company and gradually worked my way into commodities trading but found my true passion lies in the operations and risk management of the energy trading industry.  Currently, I am a risk and operations managed for a natural gas hedge fund in Houston, TX.

How did Union prepare you for this?

UTS helped me think methodically and logically about solving complex problems.  I apply that same rigorous standard to risk management but with a focus on linear math and forensic accounting.  Once you are pushed to a high level of academic rigor, it is very easy to apply those same standards to any other profession.

What is the best thing about your job?

The money.  It has helped me donate to my church and charities in a way that wouldn’t be possible outside of my profession.  And it allows me to see and communicate with people all over the world and learn about the beauty of the world thru someone else’s eyes.

How have you stayed connected to Union?

I keep in touch with several of my classmates either thru social media or phone. I constantly check to see what UTS Alumni have published and use their research to further advance my private studies.

What would you say to someone considering going to Union?

Do it. You will walk in the footsteps of giants. Someday, you may be the reason someone attends UTS and the world will be all the better for it.

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