What attracted you to accounting? What impact do you hope to make within the field?
I was initially drawn to accounting because of a family friend who owned his own CPA firm. His story of working hard, obtaining his CPA, and then being able to build a successful business really resonated with me. It showed me that accounting could offer independence and stability, which was appealing. Now, I sit on the PICPA council, which is the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Through that, I’ve gotten a broader perspective on the industry and have been part of conversations about the future of accounting, including how we can bring more people into the profession and share stories of success. My goal is to continue contributing to these conversations and help shape the profession in a positive way. I want to be part of a narrative that shows people how rewarding and accessible a career in accounting can be, while also making a meaningful impact on the industry’s future.
What were some of the challenges you faced during grad school, especially given the timing with COVID?
My graduate program started in 2020, so we were the first full class to experience grad school entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden switch from in-person to online classes was challenging, especially since the Master of Accountancy program relies heavily on group work and collaboration. It was difficult to replicate that dynamic in a virtual environment, and coordinating schedules with classmates over Zoom made things a bit more complicated. Still, I learned to adapt and became more independent in my studies. One thing that helped me overcome these challenges was having some real-world experience under my belt—I had completed a winter internship with PwC, so when I returned to my grad classes, I was able to apply that hands-on knowledge to my studies. That experience enhanced my understanding of the technical aspects of my coursework, and I was able to approach the material with a more advanced understanding. It wasn’t easy navigating the pandemic while in grad school, but it definitely made me more resilient and adaptable, which has been invaluable to my career.
How did you manage to build and maintain a community while doing your master’s program remotely?
Even though the program was remote, I didn’t feel like I lost my sense of community because many of the same students from my undergrad years were also in my grad program. There were also new students who joined, but the accounting "family" at Temple is pretty tight-knit, so it felt like an extension of what I had already built. I stayed connected with professors who had been mentors to me, and they continued to support me throughout grad school. Those relationships didn’t change just because we were online. In fact, I didn’t realize how much of an impact those mentors had on me until I started working in the field. That’s what led me to join (and eventually become president of) the Young Accounting Alumni Group, where I run a mentorship program. Being able to help current students and give back to the community that supported me has been really fulfilling. Although COVID made it harder to build new connections during grad school, I relied on the existing ones, and they’ve only grown stronger.
What advice would you give to someone considering graduate school, particularly in the field of accountancy?
Investing in yourself is the best decision you can make. The CPA credential has been a golden ticket for me, allowing opportunities across various industries. The Master’s of Accountancy program, especially at Temple, equips you with advanced tools and technologies that set you apart from others. Temple provided me with knowledge in areas like AI and automation, tools that some of my peers at other institutions didn’t have exposure to. These skills have been invaluable in my career.
