Posted on December 5, 2025 by Rebekah Alegria
When Emilio Ortiz Muñoz thinks about his journey to UT San Antonio, he sees movement. Movement across countries, cities, classrooms and cultures. Movement toward confidence, belonging and the kind of professional clarity he once doubted he could achieve. He graduates this month with a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business and a full-time offer as a corporate auditor with Union Pacific Railroad.
Emilio Ortiz Muñoz, BBA Finance '25
Emilio Ortiz Muñoz was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and he spent his early years moving frequently for his father’s work. His first taste of the United States came in 2017, when his family moved to Houston for two years. After returning to Mexico, he knew immediately that he wanted to come back to the U.S. to pursue higher education.
“Once I got a taste of the environment here and how welcomed I felt, I knew I wanted to study in the U.S.,”
Emilio Ortiz Muñoz, Alvarez fall graduate, bba finance '25
UT San Antonio stood out not only for its programs and culture, but for something most students wouldn’t think to mention — the campus layout. He loved how the Sombrilla, the JPL, the Student Union and the Recreation Center felt connected and walkable, creating a true sense of community. Being able to join the Honors College sealed the deal. “UTSA just felt welcoming,” said Ortiz Muñoz. “Like a real college experience.” 
He’d always been strong with numbers, but it wasn’t until his first finance course with Ron Sweet, professor of practice in finance, that he fully understood the field he was stepping into.
“The first day of class was overwhelming,” Ortiz Muñoz admitted. “I even considered switching to accounting.” But soon everything clicked once he understood the professor’s real-world approach and high expectations. "He wants you to succeed. He wants you to understand how finance works in the real world, not just textbooks. Once I understood that, I fell in love with finance.”
Ortiz Muñoz quickly found community in Alvarez student organizations like the Business Student Council and The Investment Society.
Through these groups, he built friendships, gained confidence and met industry leaders, including the CEO of Santikos, who once handed him movie vouchers after Ortiz Muñoz boldly asked, “So when are you going to invite me?”
As he advanced through college, his involvement transformed into professional experience. He served as an accounting tutor, leading three sessions per week with 20–30 students at a time — an experience that strengthened his public speaking skills. He also grew through courses taught by Linda Vaello, associate professor of practice in accounting, and Maho Sonmez, professor of practice in operations and analytics, whose challenging instruction sharpened his adaptability and discipline.
“Every professor added something to my skill set,” said the graduate. “Every semester was challenging but also rewarding.”
His internships with Union Pacific Railroad became the cornerstone of his professional development. He first worked in accounts payable, gaining hands-on experience with SAP, SQL and major enterprise systems. He later transitioned into financial reporting, where he finally saw classroom concepts brought to life.
The company’s support and the culture he experienced during his summer at their headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska made a strong impression.
“They paid for transportation and housing. I didn’t have to pay for anything. I knew they were investing in me.”
At the beginning of 2026, Ortiz Muñoz will move to Omaha to begin his role as a corporate auditor, a major leap that excites him, despite the freezing winter weather awaiting him. “It’s a challenge I’m willing to take,” he said, smiling.
He discovered the opportunity after hearing about the vacancy from a mentor that he’d worked with at the company, further reinforcing the importance of networking.
Reflecting on his time at UT San Antonio’s Alvarez College of Business, he sees himself as a completely different person than the shy, reserved student he was when he first moved to the U.S.
“UTSA made me more confident in my skills,” he said.
He recalls a quote from Professor Sweet that he carries with him: “Do whatever you’re more scared of.” It guided him through interviews and bold questions, and it reminds him that UT San Antonio students can compete anywhere.
“Some people think the best finance jobs are only for Ivy League students, but that’s not true. We’re given the tools to compete with anyone. It’s up to us how much effort we put in to secure those jobs.”
Looking ahead, Ortiz Muñoz views Union Pacific as the starting point of a larger vision. He hopes to grow, become more competitive and eventually diversify, whether through starting a business or building a real estate portfolio.
“College opens doors, but at the end of the day, each of us creates our own path.”
— Rebekah Alegria
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