Meet Matheus!
Matheus earned his Bachelor of Science in Econometrics & Quantitative Economics and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
“My interest in Economics arose during the 2018 presidential elections in Brazil, my home country, when I realized how deeply economics impacts people’s lives and social dignity. My desire to drive economic development and support Brazil’s growth led me to pursue this double major.”
In 2023, Matheus interned at the U.S. House of Representatives. He shared that “working in Capitol Hill showed me how the backstage of politics and economic decisions affect the real world lived by you and me. The reasoning behind each move says more than the decision in itself — and understanding that was life-changing to me.” During this experience, he was in the same room as Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, 78th Secretary of the Treasury and 15th chair of the Fed, the former director of the FBI, and other notable leaders. “This showed me that they are normal people like you and me, and that we can—and should—dream high to change the world we live in.”
Matheus also served as President for Good for All Nonprofit Organization, a major nonprofit based in São Paulo, Brazil, supporting children from undeserved communities in the favelas. During his time at “Projeto Bem Para Todos,” he had the honor of leading more than 110 leaders, transforming the lives of more than 24,000 people through 25+ events across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. “Beyond teaching me about how to lead by example and how to develop culture within an organization, it most importantly taught me how the economic decisions taken at offices in our nation’s capital affect the lives of the ones who need the most in practice.”
Competencies Matheus identifies as essential to his success:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Technology
- Critical Thinking
- Professionalism
Throughout his time at USF, Matheus expereinced several challenges during his time at USF. He shared “the people I met, along with the resources provided by the university, helped me overcome them.” From his experiences, he has learned that “obstacles are opportunities for you to exceed your own expectations. Obstacles are markers: they separate what’s behind and what’s beyond them. Looking back now, I see all the marks that shaped who I am today, and, thus, separate the Matheus of four years ago from the Matheus I am today.”
Matheus credits several USF resources that shaped his journey.
“The Office of National Scholars (ONS) was vital to my development as a student and a person. I first learned about the ONS in my junior year, and even in a short time, it profoundly impacted my perception of purpose and how to pursue it.”
He emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people: “a part of your future self can be defined by your present self.”
He also highlights the Investment Club at USF, which pushed him to grow, opened new opportunities, and connected him to lifelong friends.
Recently, Matheus highlights 3 main accomplishments.
- He has recently joined Goldman Sachs as part of the Valuations team within the Global Banking & Markets division. “This has been a major achievement for me that keeps teaching me a lot every day. I have the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding professionals from offices across the globe and put into practice what I’ve learned in class, learning how real-world economics truly operates and affects people’s lives.”
- Matheus is currently pursuing a MicroMasters in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy at MIT. “This exceptional remote program connects me with some of the greatest minds in the world when it comes to the impact that real-world economics has in poverty alleviation—an enriching experience so far.”
- Last but certainly not least, he was invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious and long-standing honor society in the country, in his last semester at USF. “I am grateful for the efforts of our PBK chapter at USF and look forward to contributing to its growth and impact.”
Matheus’ advice to students: “Be excellent. You are worthy of your own excellence. Life is too short to settle for the ordinary. But remember, excellence does not mean perfection. Perhaps what keeps you from being excellent is the fact that your best is not as good as your someone else’s. So what? You are worthy of YOUR own excellence.”