Thomas Woods

About Thomas Woods

I am a rising senior at Bakersfield High School with a strong passion for business, finance, economics, and law. From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by the intricacies of how businesses operate, how financial systems shape the world, and how economic policies influence society. This curiosity has driven me to excel academically, maintaining a 4.5 GPA, and to immerse myself in extracurricular activities that align with my interests. One of my proudest achievements was placing Top 15 in the National Finance Competition for Virtual Enterprise located in New York City during the 20••••24 school year. Leading my team through this experience taught me the value of strategic planning, effective communication, and innovative problem-solving under pressure. Beyond the competition, it reinforced my belief in the power of teamwork and creativity to overcome challenges. I am not only a student but also a changemaker, innovator, and leader. As President of the National Honors Society and the Bakersfield Economics Club, I’ve organized initiatives to bring financial literacy to my peers, including inviting local financial advisors to teach budgeting, saving, and investing skills. My commitment to community impact extends beyond the classroom—I’ve been actively involved in civic projects through my Youth Commission, such as designing a financial literacy workshop for teenagers, backed by a $7,500 budget. These experiences have shaped me into a driven and compassionate individual who thrives on creating meaningful change. I am constantly seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to the success of others, whether through academic achievements, leadership roles, or community service. My ultimate goal is to combine my passion for finance and economics with my leadership skills to make a positive difference in the world.

Experience

1. Finance Officer

   Virtual Enterprises International, Inc

   Aug 2022 — Present · Bakersfield, CA, US

   Helped create several financial sheets including, break-even analysis, profit and loss, sales projections, balance sheet, and cash flow. This was included with my team for all these documents, we used google sheets to formulate all of our numbers.* Made a 10-page financial document with my team of 3 that included a analysis of all our documents while using online designing to make a quality document.* As a group of 3 we were able to obtain a top 6 finish in state qualifiers. This led us to compete at the national level where we placed 4th overall.(20••••23)* Obtained a placement of 5th at state qualifiers in the Virtual Enterprise National Finance Competition and a Top 15 placement at Nationalsc.* Publicly spoke in front of a panel judges over the course of 3 competitions.20••••24Overall, this experience fueled my passion for finance and economics, solidifying my aspiration to pursue a career as an investment banker and eventually launch my own business.

Education

• Bakersfield College

  European History

• Bakersfield High School

  12th Grade

  2021 — 2025