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When I started my graduate journey at Fisher College of Business, I quickly realized that success in the job search wasn’t going to come from academics alone. Finance is an industry built on relationships, and the SMF with its new structure and added professional development course is one of the best environments to build them.  

Starting my MBA at Fisher College of Business is the greatest academic and professional challenge of my life. My name is Sergio León, a first-year international student from Peru, and this is my first academic experience outside of my country. A year ago, while researching opportunities to study abroad, I discovered Fisher—a place that offered exactly what I was looking for: academic excellence, strong professional connections across industries, and most importantly, a community that truly supports one another.

Before coming to business school, I had worked at an organization for almost seven years. Every time someone asked why I stayed that long—a rare trait in my generation—my answer was always the same: I enjoyed the people I worked with. For me, community (network) has always been a critical determinant of how far you can go in life.

What should I expect on day one of the Full-Time MBA program? Will I fit in with my classmates? Do I really belong here?  These questions and concerns filled my mind coming into the first day of the weeklong pre-term session. 

I recently arrived in the beautiful yet quaint city of Columbus, Ohio, carrying just two bags and a whole lot of hope. Originally from India, I had been working in the development sector as a researcher before deciding to pursue my Master’s in Human Resource Management at the Fisher College of Business. This step marks a significant milestone in both my professional and personal journey, driven by a deep curiosity to learn and grow as a purposeful leader.

I had always wondered what the first class of a B School would feel like and, boy-oh-boy,  was I surprised. Coming back to class after working for more than a decade was both daunting and exciting at the same time. I was pretty sure and half-joked to myself  that I was going to be the “Senior Citizen” of my entire cohort, being surrounded with people almost half my age. I knew that I had to strike a balance between learning from them but also sharing my own experiences and feedback on their work. 

As a new graduate student at The Ohio State University, my journey started quickly. After arriving in Columbus, my fellow Fisher Graduate Students and I were welcomed with a three-day orientation the week before classes. This consisted of introductions, keynote speakers, an overview of the program, panels about the CPA and Big 4, and a reception. While there was a lot of information to absorb, the Fisher College of Business faculty and MAcc professors were well prepared and made the process seamless.

Hello! My name is Ashlynn Thevenot, and I am a Master of Accounting student at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. I also earned my undergraduate degree in accounting here at OSU. Over the past four years, I’ve enjoyed countless football games, other sporting events, and active involvement in student organizations. OSU has truly felt like home! Growing up in Ohio, I always felt a pull towards OSU, and I’m excited to continue my journey here in the MAcc program.