Q: What is your background?
A: I studied engineering and management and completed an internship with a construction company in Boston. After graduation, I joined the company full time as a project engineer, where I spent two years gaining hands-on experience in project management. It was a great opportunity to learn how projects come together and how different parts of business work together.
As I gained experience, I found myself becoming increasingly interested in the financial side of business and the decisions that shape it. I wanted to better understand how organizations make decisions and how financial considerations influence the bigger picture. That interest ultimately led me to pursue accounting and take my career in a new direction.
Q: What made D'Amore-McKim's MS in Accounting/MBA program the right fit for you?
A: When I started researching graduate accounting programs, D'Amore-McKim immediately stood out because it welcomed students without an undergraduate accounting background. Most of the other programs I looked at required accounting prerequisites I didn't have, so finding a program that would give me the opportunity to make this transition was especially important to me. Accounting was also somewhat familiar to me growing up because my dad is a CPA, although I had initially wanted to forge my own path. As I explored the field more seriously, I realized that accounting offered the combination of analytical thinking and business decision-making that I had been looking for.
The opportunity to earn a combined degree in 15 months while preparing for the CPA exam was exactly what I was looking for. The program's strong career outcomes also gave me confidence that I was making the right choice and would have a strong start to my new career.
Q: How did the MS in Accounting/MBA program prepare you for your career?
A: The program gave me the foundation, experience, and connections I needed to transition into accounting. My auditing professor brought his experience from Deloitte into the classroom and helped us understand what working at a Big Four firm would really be like. My tax professor also showed us that accounting offers many different career paths beyond tax and audit, including consulting and advisory opportunities.
My corporate residency at PwC was another important part of my experience because it gave me a firsthand look at what my future career would look like. I was able to apply what I was learning in class to real client work, ask questions, and learn from experienced professionals. The program also prepared me for the future of accounting by emphasizing the responsible use of AI and helping me build a strong professional network through connections with firms and employers.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I never expected my engineering background to lead me to accounting, but this program gave me the opportunity to build an entirely new career path. I'm excited to begin my next chapter as an Assurance Associate at PwC and continue growing in the profession.
I've also built meaningful connections through the program, including some of my closest friends from my cohort, who will be joining PwC as well. Having that support system as we begin our careers together makes this next chapter even more meaningful.
Q: Would you recommend the MS in Accounting/MBA program?
A: Absolutely. I've already recommended the program to several people. One of the most valuable parts of the experience was the relationships I built with my cohort and professors. We went through the program together, and it created a close-knit community where we rely on each other for advice and encouragement.
I've made lifelong friendships through the program, and I know those relationships will continue well beyond graduation. I came into the program looking for a new direction, and I'm leaving with a community of people I'll carry with me throughout my career.
