Building Skills Beyond the Classroom: Alejandra Valles' Journey to Public Service

Published: June 22, 2026

Less than a year after graduating from UT Austin, Alejandra Valles is applying skills she first developed as a Healthyhorns student employee.

A native of Presidio, Texas, and a Spring 2025 graduate of the McCombs School of Business, Valles works as a Financial Analyst II with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

She works with contracts and grants that support services for Texans across the state. These include initiatives that connect individuals and families with resources such as SNAP benefits and community assistance services.

Her responsibilities include reviewing financial documents, monitoring funding, ensuring compliance and analyzing data.

Valles said her experiences growing up in Presidio and working with programs that serve Texans helped shape her interest in public service.

While studying finance provided a strong foundation, Valles said her student employment experience helped prepare her for the transition into a professional role.

Before graduation, she spent nearly two years as a Financial Reporting Student Assistant with Healthyhorns.

In that role, she supported financial reporting and administrative processes for University Health Services and other health and well-being programs.

"I worked with real financial information, financial models, variance reports and month-end processes," she said. "This exposure prepared me for the reporting requirements of a public health agency."

The experience also helped her develop accountability, communication and workplace skills.

Working as a student meant being responsible for something beyond my coursework. A job teaches a different level of accountability because your work impacts other people.

- Alejandra Valles

Alejandra's contributions also benefited the Healthyhorns finance team.

"Ale helped my team keep up with monthly reporting and added extra eyes on ad hoc analysis," said Cathy Glazener, assistant director of finance for Health and Well-being. "We benefited from both. She came into the position with a calm and conscientious attitude and was open to asking questions and taking responsibility."

Valles in graduation gown in front of McCombs School — Valles graduated from the McCombs School of Business in Spring 2025 before beginning her career with HHSC.

Valles credits much of her growth to Glazener's mentorship.

"Cathy gave me opportunities to grow and explore new ideas," Valles said. "She encouraged me to be curious, ask questions and pursue new opportunities."

This summer, Valles continues to grow professionally at HHSC through projects focused on improving internal processes and supporting team engagement initiatives.

Allejandra working to pack food — In addition to her financial analyst responsibilities, Valles has helped lead employee engagement efforts within her HHSC team this summer.

Outside of work, she is joining the team behind Latinas Run ATX, a women's running club in Austin.

"My goal is simply to learn, absorb as much knowledge as possible and continue growing," she said. "I find the most fulfillment in work that serves others and positively impacts my community."

For students considering on-campus employment, Valles encourages them to take advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

"I gained experience and life skills from every student job I held," she said. "Those experiences helped me earn internships, leadership roles and ultimately my full-time position."

"UT has a lot to offer academically, culturally and socially," she said. "The experiences and relationships you gain can be just as valuable as what you learn in class."