GLOBAL Alert Overide

Vight condensed lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergr sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consedipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua.

Add Text
Second Button
Skip to main content
Parent Department University of Florida

IA Alumni – Where Are They Now? Featuring Avery Fu

By Maja Hiller

While Avery Fu no longer spends his days laser cutting and 3D modelling, those early experiences at the Innovation Academy have influenced the way he thinks, solves problems, and works with others today.

Avery Fu

Fu graduated in 2023 from the University of Florida with both a B.S. and a M.S. in finance, completing a combined degree in just four years. Today, he works in Global Treasury at Procter & Gamble as a finance manager based in Cincinnati, where he manages foreign exchange, risk, and other financial programs on a global scale.

One of the experiences Fu remembers fondly from his time in IA was his study abroad semester in Maynooth, Ireland. It not only introduced him to new cultures and perspectives but also served as a meaningful way to start his college journey. “I made some incredible friends and learned a lot about the local culture as well as workshops with various companies. It was a fantastic experience that I can’t recommend enough of – it really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he said.

Aside from his study abroad experience, Fu credits the Innovation Academy for helping him develop a mindset that goes beyond technical mastery. Through hands-on coursework ranging from laser cutting and 3D modeling to public speaking and teamwork, he learned how to approach challenges with adaptability and critical thinking.

“I found learning how to “learn” and approach these things translated very well to learning more complex topics that I currently use in finance,” he explained. “It’s not so much as learning the tangible skill as it is learning how to think and forcing a different perspective that I was not used to.”

Fu emphasizes communication and teamwork as another valuable lesson gained in IA, especially during his time as a teaching assistant, where he worked with students of varying skill levels and backgrounds. This meant adapting his communication style and explaining complex concepts in simple, accessible ways. “My ideas were only as good as I communicated them, and that’s true for pretty much all things in my career.”

Innovation comes in different forms, and for Fu, thinking outside the box can look like process efficiencies, better accuracy, or finding new approaches and ideas. He notes that even in structured environments like finance, there is always room to think creatively and push for better outcomes.

As someone who occasionally returns to campus to recruit students, Fu encourages current IA students to place equal weight on soft skills. While technical knowledge is important, abilities like empathy, public speaking, critical thinking, and building relationships are often learned through willing experience.

He also highlights the value of IA’s close-knit community, where building meaningful connections can be not only easier but more impactful. During his time in the program, Fu co-founded a student organization with classmates who became close friends.

Above all, Fu encourages students to fully embrace their time in college. “Be ambitious, but also take the time to make friends, enjoy the college experience, and leverage your perks as a student,” he said. In the end, he believes growth comes from finding that balance.