About Lucy
Previous University: University of Pittsburgh
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor's in Accounting
Q: What is your background, and what led you to pursue your MS in Accounting?
A: I started college as a biology major, but it didn't feel like the right fit. Everything changed once I took my first accounting class, and suddenly it all clicked. I've always enjoyed math and science, and accounting appealed to me because it offers a clear, logical path to the right answer.
While still an undergraduate, I interned in internal audit at the Bank of New York, and after graduation, I completed a winter internship in external audit at Deloitte. Pursuing an MS in Accounting was the natural next step to deepen my expertise and prepare for a professional career in audit.
Q: Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim?
A: I wanted a master's degree that I could start immediately after my internship and that would prepare me for success. D'Amore-McKim's May start aligned perfectly with my timeline, and I've always been drawn to Boston because my mom's family is from here.
What stood out most was the program's focus on building advanced accounting expertise in addition to analytical and technological skills essential in today's evolving audit profession. Smaller class sizes were another big plus; they make it easier to build connections with professors, which can be a game-changer. Once I explored the courses and read other students' testimonials, I was all in.
Q: How have the program's classes and experiences prepared you for your career?
A: One of the biggest surprises for me? How much I ended up loving tax. I didn't expect that, but my professor made the material engaging and relatable in a way that completely changed my perspective. That's what you get at D'Amore-McKim: faculty who know how to bring complex topics to life.
And it's not just theory. The classes are really hands-on. In my Auditing in a Big Data Environment course, we focused on audit documentation and how to use current tech platforms, which helped prepare me to start my career. These skills are especially valuable as technology transforms audit every day. Each week, we dive into case studies that mirror real-world challenges, so I am practicing how to solve problems like an audit professional. Guest speakers, including experts using AI in audit and forensic accounting, have opened my eyes to all the directions my career could go.
It's not only technical growth. My MS in Accounting has helped me build confidence. Weekly presentations in my communications class helped me overcome my fear of public speaking.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I have a full-time offer with Deloitte in their audit department in Philadelphia, which grew out of my corporate residency. There, I worked with a variety of clients and tackled numerous tasks, which helped me realize that external audit is where I want to build my career. That clarity was huge, and now I'm excited to start this next chapter and continue growing.
My immediate goal? Passing all four CPA exams. I plan to tackle them in focused chunks before the summer while working part-time. Honestly, the MS in Accounting program has set me up for success here. Many of the practice problems we worked through in class mirror what I see on CPA practice tests, and I feel confident applying what I've learned.
Q: What advice would you give future students?
A: If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: know how you work best and plan around it. For me, I like to handwrite all my notes, which takes longer, so time management was key, especially during the first, most intense portion of the program. The classes are condensed, and the days can be long, so pacing yourself matters.
Also, don't be intimidated if you come from a different school. I was at first, since many MS in Accounting students also went to Northeastern for undergrad. But the smaller class sizes made it easy to connect, and everyone was genuinely friendly. Once I settled in, I found my place. I also made sure to take breaks to explore Boston, which was a great way to recharge.
