Growing up in a “Penn State family,” where my four other siblings and my parents all attended Penn State, it is hard to believe I can now call myself a Penn State alum!  Graduating in May 2011 with a B.S. in Accounting, I am now moving into the “real world” and I am ready for the challenges I have ahead of me.  I am eager to begin my career in August with PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Advisory practice in New York City! 

When you first begin your college life at Penn State, it can seem overwhelming.  It is important to make a large school feel small and to seek out the opportunities that Penn State has to offer.   In the September 2010 Wall Street Journal article, “Penn State Tops Recruiter Rankings”, recruiters ranked Penn State number one describing students as, “bright, well-rounded students…with the core competencies we desire”.  This article explains our ability to fit into a wide array of corporate cultures.   It is easy to find yourself lost in the crowd at a big school.  The qualities you will develop now will help you transition to the corporate world. 

For three semesters as an MIS Teaching Intern for Dr. Glantz, I was lucky to have a professor that always provided his students with encouragement and support.  It is important to build relationships with your professors.  They can give you direction on how to best become involved with school as well as advice from their own life experience.  It is easy to rush in and out of class and to never really know your professors.  You will be surprised at how beneficial it is to introduce yourself!  Make sure to ask questions and to learn more in professor office hours. 

Dr. Glantz encouraged me to become involved at Penn State and to talk with many companies at the career fair.  The more experience and practice you have, the easier it becomes.  Take advantage of every opportunity including internships and co-ops.  I believe that the offer I received from PwC was a direct reflection of my experience as a summer intern at Ernst & Young in their audit practice, and my spring co-op that I completed at General Electric’s Energy Headquarters in controllership.

I can’t wait to start with PwC in NYC!  I will always bleed blue and white.  Penn State forever!

Rising Smeal junior Michelle Mayer sent me this photo having fun at Houston’s Jack in the Box, and she has a lot to be happy about!  Michelle took my advice in class to begin career preparations as soon as possible, including participating in career fairs and joining PSU student interest groups (SIGs).

I think Michelle would agree that a student’s first career fair can be quite intimidating, unfortunately, and perhaps one reason why many students may wish to pass or defer this experience.  My impression, however, is that interviewing gets easier with practice.  If a student begins interviewing as a sophomore they will find they are “cool cucumbers” senior year when it really matters.

So Michelle practiced interviewing at a career fair, and followed through by joining the MISA (Management Information System Association) SIG.  As a result, not only did Michelle receive an internship as a sophomore (at Shell in Houston – hence the photo), but she is also a PPG Scholarship recipient and 2010 internship candidate!