Reflecting On the MAcc
For my final blog post of the year, I wanted to take some time and reflect on my experience in the MAcc program and give my major takeaways.
My first major takeaway from the program is to enjoy life outside of academics and work as much as possible. Professor Roulstone, one of the professors who teaches a core class in the MAcc program, specifically mentioned this in our last class during fall semester and I do not think I appreciated that advice as much then as I do now. The Fisher MAcc program requires a decent amount of work and a time commitment that can seem like a lot to someone like me who came from undergrad, and during fall semester it was easy for me to overwhelm myself over grades. Throughout the year, I learned to take a step back, relax, and thoroughly enjoy my senior year and to not let the little stuff worry me as much as it used to. This academic year was the busiest I have ever been, yet I had the most fun outside I have had in my four years of college. I attribute this to my ability to work hard when it matters, but being able to separate my school life from my personal life better than I ever had before. Being a combined student, I wanted to make the most out of my final year in school, and I think that I was able to do that because of the flexibility of the program.
My second takeaway is that the connections I have made in the MAcc program are just as important as the material that we have learned all semester. One of the major benefits of the MAcc is the small class size because you get to know each person in your cohort. Coming from undergrad where I would be in a lecture hall with over 400 students at a time, I think there is real value in being able to walk into a class of 25 students, knowing all of their background, aspirations, and goals, and being able to converse with them like they are some of your best friends. Personally, I have gotten close to most of the combined students in the program, specifically Ian McCabe (who is also a grad assistant) and have also met a few other students who plan on working at KPMG after graduation. With all of the group work that we have done in the MAcc, and there is a lot of it, I have been able to talk to virtually everyone in the program and learn something from them as well. When we all graduate in the next few weeks, it will be great to have so many connections with like-minded individuals that are going into the same industry as myself.
My final takeaway is from my last four years of college at Ohio State: there is no substitute for hard work. There are so many opportunities at Ohio State, undergrad and graduate, and if you really want to achieve something, there is no excuse not to. Numerous faculty and staff would move mountains to help students get their dream internship, help them with classes, or offer professional advice. I truly believe that I have been able to achieve everything I have out of hard work, not being "smarter" than any of my classmates. When I look back at the last four years, I think about how proactive I was in networking with companies before applying and how that has played into my ability to land a full time job before stepping on campus for my senior year. Knowing how difficult the job market is at this moment, the best way to navigate it is by going the extra mile and planning ahead. Another quote I remember from the MAcc program (I can't remember who said it) was "the world is run by people who show up." Putting in hard work starts with showing up and being present wherever you (physically) are, everything else after that will follow with persistence.
It has been a pleasure everyone! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions about the program. Have a good summer.
