Clara Wasserman 26BBA 26MAcc says she’s no different than the majority of Emory University students. But unlike most undergraduates, Wasserman is simultaneously pursuing her master’s degree, receiving recognition from Forbes for her nonprofit work, and dedicating nearly every moment outside of class to activities or clubs.
Wasserman is a prime example of a student who’s making the most of her time in college—and graduate school—but she almost didn’t attend Emory at all. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she immigrated to the United States at a young age and later moved to the Netherlands for high school. She even signed on to attend a university there before realizing, in a moment of self-reflection, that she wanted to return to the U.S. for higher education.
“I knew that if I wanted to go to law school and get the experience that I wanted, it was time to go back to the U.S.,” recalls Wasserman.
Given her quick pivot, Wasserman didn’t have the chance to tour schools; but once accepted, she says it was a no-brainer to choose Emory.
Emory has an excellent academic reputation, and I felt if I did invest in going to Emory and making that big change, that I could grow and get the experiences I wasn’t going to get in the Netherlands.
Clara Wasserman
The rest, as they say, is history.
Graduating with Three Degrees in Four Years
To call Wasserman busy is an understatement. Looking at her academic load, she’s pursuing two undergraduate degrees, majoring in political science in addition to business as part of Goizueta’s undergraduate Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) program. On top of that, she’s taking graduate-level courses to complete her master’s degree in accounting through Goizueta’s dual degree program. The packaged deal allows BBA students to earn their master’s degree within four-and-a-half years—even shorter for Wasserman, who entered Emory with credits from high school.
“I thought this was a great opportunity and something that could kickstart my career,” says Wasserman, who has accepted a consulting position at Ernst & Young, the accounting firm she interned with for two summers in a row.
“I’m so happy that I chose Emory,” says Wasserman. “I feel like I’ve been able to truly grow and become who I’m meant to be.”
Not every environment gives students the opportunities to reach their potential, and this is not the peak of my potential, but I feel like Emory has really helped me grow so much.
Clara Wasserman
Wasserman has also been able to form close bonds with several of her professors, including Suhas Sridharan, Goizueta term chair associate professor of accounting, by serving a research assistant.
Through her assistantship with Holli Semetko, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Media and International Affairs and professor of political science, Wasserman had the opportunity to present at a political science conference earlier this year; she even received a grant from the political science department to attend.
“It’s been a really nice experience getting to form a relationship with someone who is so knowledgeable and senior in their field. To experience how these professors think is so impressive,” says Wasserman. “It elevates the whole college experience and understanding of what a liberal arts college is.”
From Co-Founding a Nonprofit to Emory Extracurriculars
Outside of the classroom—even carrying the load of three degrees’ worth of courses—Wasserman stays busy. Earlier this year, Wasserman was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 in the social media category for her work with LOG OFF, a digital advocacy nonprofit founded in 2020. The youth-led organization provides tools and resources to help children, teens, and young adults form healthier relationships with social media and online platforms.
“I can see a real-time difference in how our advocacy impacts people’s lives and their perspectives on social media,” says Wasserman, who is deputy executive director and co-founder of the organization.
In addition to her work with LOG OFF, Wasserman is a volunteer medical interpreter with Emory Volunteer Medical Interpreters Society, a role she’s held for two years.
“It’s really grounding to see how my bilingual fluency, which I often take for granted, can mean so much to a medical provider and a patient who struggle to communicate over something as vital as one’s health.”
Through this group, Wasserman provides 30 hours per year of Spanish interpretation for four nonprofit clinics in the Atlanta area. Wasserman is also proficient in Dutch and Portuguese.
“I grew up in a Latin household, surrounded by Latin community members. I observed the disparity in attention and empathy that occurs between two humans when their languages do not coincide,” says Wasserman.
Serving as a medical interpreter lets me do my part to bridge that language gap. I can facilitate access to quality healthcare for all people, regardless of their language proficiency.
Clara Wasserman
Over the last year, as if she didn’t have enough on her plate, Wasserman turned her hobby of photography into a business—she is a business student after all.
“I find it so interesting to be able to capture the spontaneity of the human being,” says Wasserman. She says she has found photography fascinating since high school. “There’s just something so unique about a person’s facial expression, emotions, or what they’re doing. No photo is ever the same.”
This new creative outlet has allowed her to not only take graduation photos and headshots of her Goizueta friends, but she’s also been able to photograph Emory events, including athletic games. In fact, the Master of Accounting program used her photos for an advertisement.
Wasserman dedicates the remaining time she has left to her sorority and, more recently, studying for and taking the LSAT.
“I’m a big believer that everything has its time and place,” says Wasserman. “I’m able to do a lot of things because I feel I’m very in tune with understanding responsibility. I know my capabilities, and I also know my limits.”
Through all of these avenues—and her time at Emory in general—Wasserman is grateful for the friendships she’s made and the chance to learn and grow. Her story is far from over.
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