UWP international alumnus applies education to career in home country
PLATTEVILLE- When University of Wisconsin-Platteville alumnus Silas Valle graduated and went back to his home country, El Salvador, now has a career where he regularly works with United States clients. What he learned from his time in the United States helps him in his daily relations, he said.
Valle is a controller for YakPak-El Salvador, a private manufacturer of backpacks, messenger bags, handbags and totes, which produces Levi's, Dickies, MTV and Wrangler brands of bags and it's own brand of bags. He maintains contact with the chief financial officer in New York and deals with raw material suppliers from Asia, El Salvador and the United States. He also prepares financial statements, does accounting, cash flow analysis, budget comparisons and analysis, and cost benefit analysis.
Valle came to the United States to study in 1989 at UW-Center campus in Richland Center and transferred to UWP because he liked the atmosphere and the scholarship opportunities. He graduated in 1993 with degrees in business administration and business comprehensive-economics with an emphasis in finance.
"Studying in the U.S. is one of the most important things that has helped me to have a career in business. Because of that, I have been able to work with American companies in El Salvador and it has been much easier to succeed since I know the American culture very much," said Valle. "I believe universities should have more and more exchange programs with universities around the world. By doing so, students will have more opportunities to see the world as is, not just reading about the world economics or cultures."
Valle said he enjoyed the way professors treated him. They welcomed students and were always open to questions. Outside of class, Valle was a volleyball referee and tutor in accounting, Spanish and math. He also enjoyed attending athletic events.
Valle currently resides in El Salvador.
Contact: Silas Valle, controller, YakPak-El Salvador, silasval@yahoo.com Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu
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