About Jenna
Previous University: University of Maine at Farmington
Q: You were in the Coast Guard for over three years. How has this experience influenced your experience at D'Amore-McKim?
A: The Coast Guard gave me a great foundation for graduate school. The core values of the Coast Guard are honor, respect, and devotion to duty. Serving in the military is about respecting yourself and those around you. It's about taking everything you do seriously, having pride in your work, and being a team member. The values were instilled in me during my time in the Coast Guard, and I carried them with me to this program. I understood how to be a team player and immediately appreciated the importance of being in the cohort. I enjoyed getting to know my classmates, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and taking ownership of our work.
Q: Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim?
A: When I decided to attend graduate school, I initially looked at traditional MBA programs. When I came across the MS in Accounting/MBA program at D'Amore-McKim, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't have previous accounting experience and wanted a path to a professional business career in a high-growth industry. This program offers this and an MBA, which will help me stand out. I was also excited to tap into the great alumni network and leverage the renowned reputation of Northeastern.
Q: What sets D'Amore-McKim and the MS in Accounting/MBA program apart?
A: The opportunity to build my network and learn by doing while a student, sets the MS in Accounting/MBA program apart. Beginning the first week of orientation, we met members of “Big Four” firms and started networking with them. Next, we went on to established firms to network with the professionals at each firm. We went through the placement process and completed our corporate residencies, one of the program's most invaluable pieces. I had the chance to apply what I've learned in the program through a three-month corporate residency working at the associate level in a major accounting firm. Coming from the military, I didn't have experience working at a professional firm, but I do now.
Q: Can you describe your corporate residency at PwC?
A: In my corporate residency at PwC, I worked on the state and local tax team on the asset wealth management side. My residency began in January and at that time of the year, most of the work centers around supporting clients with year-end filings. I started networking with PwC early in the program and by the time the placement process was underway, it felt like a great fit. During my corporate residency, I learned about PwC as a whole and how to use its systems. I truly felt like a first-year staff member at the firm and knew the work I completed was meaningful. I was treated with respect and had countless opportunities to build my knowledge and experience.
I've accepted a full-time offer from PwC to start after I graduate, and I'm excited to return to the team.
Q: What advice would you give future students in the program?
A: D'Amore-McKim offers an amazing opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. I was surrounded by motivated people with similar goals from many different backgrounds. There is so much that you can learn from your peers, whether it's in the workplace or classroom. Take the time to get to know people. Everyone has something to bring to the table, and the more you can leverage those opportunities and get to know people, the more enjoyable and valuable the experience will be.
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