Farewell and Final Thoughts

Wow, welcome to my last blog as a MAcc student at The Ohio State University. Thank you for reading and following along with my journey. If you are still deciding or preparing to take part in the MAcc program, here are three things I wish I knew before I began as a graduate student. 

The first thing I wish I knew before starting the MAcc program is that everyone is on a different path and timeline. It can be easy to compare yourself and where you are in your career to your peers, especially given the small cohort size. Some students enter with full-time offers already secured, some receive them during recruiting season, and others later in the semester or in the spring. At the start of the program, there are many recruiting events and opportunities that can feel overwhelming at times. While I recommend engaging and taking full advantage of these events, it’s also important to step back and trust that the right opportunity will come at the right time

Next, knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to prioritize learning and connections over grades. It’s difficult to not get caught up on achieving all A’s in graduate school. Grades matter but not as much compared to undergraduate studies. My advice would be to take classes and grades seriously, but don’t fixate on them. Instead focus on thoroughly learning the material and building connections with fellow classmates. It’s ok to make mistakes, you likely won’t remember a bad grade in five years. However, the connections and people your surround yourself with can have lasting impacts throughout your career and life later on.  

Lastly, I wish I knew how fast nine months would go by. The program can seem daunting at first, but it really does go by quick. Knowing this, I would be very intentional with your time and who you spend it with. Classes, recruiting events, and extracurriculars can become routine so valuing the experiences and personal connections you build is one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of the MAcc program. 

I’m very grateful for the experiences, people, and growth throughout the program. The past nine months were challenging but they also prepared me for what’s ahead. While this marks the end of my time as a MAcc student and graduate assistant, it’s also the start of what lies ahead as I begin my career. Thanks again for following along with my journey. Go Bucks!