At first glance, a chemistry degree may not seem like a natural pathway into business. But Kate Flowers is quick to challenge that assumption. A chemistry major in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Flowers is also pursuing a dual Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance through UAB’s Collat School of Business, blending science and finance in a way that feels seamless.
A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Flowers became involved with UAB’s Green & Gold Fund, a student-managed investment portfolio overseeing more than $800,000 in assets, after encouragement from a sorority sister.
“I told her, ‘I don’t know. I’m not sure I’m qualified. I don’t know if somebody in my major can even do it,’” Flowers recalls. “I was really nervous, and she walked me through the whole process—helping me get my application in, telling me what to wear, where to go, and who to talk to.”
What began as hesitation quickly turned into enthusiasm. Flowers discovered that her chemistry training translated naturally into the analytical demands of investing. She applied scientific problem-solving skills to evaluate companies, assess business practices, and help inform the fund’s investment decisions, reinforcing how a STEM background can be a powerful asset in finance.
“Chemistry is the central science of everything,” Flowers said. “The biggest way it’s impacted me is that I’m very comfortable with complex problem solving. I’ve become much better at data analysis, and I’m more confident working through complicated topics.”
That confidence was tested during a highly competitive equity research internship at a private firm in New York. Surrounded by interns with traditional business backgrounds, Flowers initially felt out of place but quickly embraced the challenge.
“I got really comfortable being uncomfortable,” she said. “My background was different, and I struggled at first. But I learned quickly and went home every night to study. That’s something UAB’s Chemistry department really prepared me for.”
Those moments required humility, Flowers noted, but ultimately fueled growth. “I had to say, ‘I’m not the best at this, and that’s okay,’” she said. “By the end of the internship, the firm told me I was the intern who had shown the most growth.”
Her science background proved especially valuable when analyzing healthcare companies. While investor materials often emphasize innovation, Flowers learned how to look beyond polished messaging and get to the substance.
“A lot of it sounds impressive the way companies frame their success on investor relations web pages,” she said. “But being able to dig into journals and really understand what a company is doing lets you ask better questions. What’s actually new? What’s just old ideas being reused? And if we’re really looking for innovation, what should we be paying attention to?”
Flowers returned to Birmingham for her final year, concluding her time as a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry, an experience she found deeply rewarding, particularly the opportunity to help students simplify challenging material. She also wrapped up her involvement with the Green & Gold Fund, spending her final semester mentoring peers and serving as portfolio manager for the consumer discretionary sector.
After graduating with both her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and MBA on Saturday, May 2, Flowers will head to Kentucky for a position with Fidelity Investments. Reflecting on her time at UAB, she emphasized the value of taking initiative.
“UAB has so many opportunities to take advantage of,” Flowers said. “If you put in the effort now, it gives you all the tools that you need to succeed in life.”