WSU Global Campus Alumna Uses Economics Degree to Serve Her Community 

When Daya Aglugub enrolled at WSU’s Global Campus in January of 2020, she did so with a clear vision for her professional future. A woman of great ambition, she began working towards her bachelor’s degree in economics with the ultimate goal of one day building a financial advising practice and becoming her own boss.  

While completing her studies, Aglugub lived on Whidbey Island in Washington, where she also cared for her grandmother. She decided to pursue an online degree through Global Campus because of the limited higher education options nearby and because of her existing responsibilities at her full-time job at a local casino. “It was there,” she said, “that I decided I wanted to make a career in finance, helping build wealth instead of watching folks gamble away their retirement savings.” And since earning her degree in 2022, she has managed to do just that through her work at the financial advisory and wealth management firm Edward Jones.  

My degree directly helped me understand my work in the investment field, and I was able to excel very quickly and take on leadership roles.

Daya Aglugub

Aglugub was first hired as an office administrator at Edward Jones during her final semester at Global Campus. With the knowledge she acquired through her degree, she rose through the ranks and became fully licensed, taking on her desired role as a financial advisor. “My degree directly helped me understand my work in the investment field, and I was able to excel very quickly and take on leadership roles,” she said, adding that she “now use[s her] knowledge of the markets, business cycle, investment fundamentals, and compound interest daily with [her] own clients.”  

Through Global Campus’ online economics program, students are equipped with skills and strategies that prepare them for accomplishments like Aglugub’s after graduation. Economics professor Christopher Clarke elaborated on the strengths of the program that set students up for post-graduation success. “Today,” said Clarke, “companies have more data than they know what to do with, and we empower you with the economic intuition needed to test the hypotheses they are most interested in.” This all is made possible, of course, by WSU’s rigorous curriculum, breakout labs, capstone courses, and one-on-one feedback from dedicated faculty.   

And while Aglugub’s professional accomplishments are a direct result of her drive, passion, and application of what she learned, she shared that the flexible online learning environment and student resources at WSU’s Global Campus were also pivotal in helping her achieve her goals. From the university’s direct transfer agreement that accepted credit from the college where she earned her associate’s degree to Summer Session offerings to the Cyber Coug Fitness Program, the many unique opportunities provided by Global Campus proved highly advantageous, helping Aglugub to excel in the academic sphere and beyond.  

When asked about the most fulfilling aspect of her current job, Aglugub described the sense of purpose she feels when she is able to educate her clients and help them navigate overwhelming financial decisions and processes. “People don’t know what they don’t know,” she explained, “and it can be hard to make sense of the plethora of information online these days. I can give that personalized experience, advice, and investment management to ensure we’re doing the best we can to meet their financial goals.” 

Not only has Aglugub achieved her own professional goals by taking full advantage of all that Global Campus has to offer, but she has also used her acquired skillset to empower others. “This is my way of giving back to my community and helping folks take control of their futures,” she said, “[especially] in a time when it feels like everything happening all around us is out of our control.” With committed graduates like her joining the workforce each year, there is truly no limit to the good that Global Campus students can bring about.  

About the Author

Emma Seckington is a writer for WSU Global Campus, working alongside the Marketing and Communications team to spotlight the unique accomplishments of Global Campus students, faculty, and alumni.