Earn Kelley’s Accounting Certificate to broaden your career prospects, unlock a Kelley graduate degree—even begin CPA preparation
Want to amplify your IU undergraduate degree with strategic business acumen? Discover the Kelley Accounting Certificate. You’ll develop financial skills relevant to any industry—mobilizing career opportunities from tech to nonprofit, or wherever your passion takes you. Keep reading to learn about specific IU degrees that pair particularly well, how the certificate advances your eligibility to earn a Kelley specialized master’s degree, and how you can use it to kickstart CPA preparation:
Leverage three levels of career advancement with the Accounting Certificate
Level 1: Build a business foundation that gets you farther in your career
Designed for undergraduate students pursuing a major other than business, the Accounting Certificate equips you with technical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to make informed business decisions, interpret financial data, and effectively communicate financial insights—skills you’ll use whatever career path you choose. You’ll gain an understanding of accounting principles, from a foundational level to advanced topics in financial reporting, managerial accounting, analysis, taxation, and auditing.
“The Accounting Certificate is essentially the accounting major minus the electives,” said Joe Schroeder, chairperson of Graduate Accounting Programs, a professor of accounting, and PwC Faculty Fellow at the top-ranked Kelley School of Business.
Schroeder suggests students pair the certificate with the public financial management major through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs or the informatics major through the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering for particularly career-winning combinations.
“These are basically business-designed degrees—and when paired with the Accounting Certificate, you’re taking essentially everything an accounting major would be required to complete,” he said.
Level 2: Add a career-boosting master’s credential
Schroeder highly recommends the Accounting Certificate as an exceptional entry to earning a Kelley master’s degree—and ultimately to an accounting career. The certificate satisfies all accounting course prerequisites for the Kelley Master of Science in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA) program.
“Add the one-year Kelley MSADA to either of these degrees from O’Neill or Luddy and you’re combining Kelley with other top-ranked IU schools for a powerful one-two punch,” Schroeder said. “Having a pair of degrees combining Kelley and O’Neill, or Kelley and Luddy, means employers will see you as multifaceted with a credibility of varied perspectives. You’ll graduate in five years prepared to be an accountant and ready to offer a lot more value to the firms.”
Level 3: Launch CPA preparation on your path to CPA licensure
“When you earn the Kelley MSADA, you’re eligible to sit for the CPA exam,” said Schroeder. “With the 150 credit hour pathway, you can start sitting for the CPA exam during the spring semester of the MSADA program, then knock out the rest over the summer.”
Above and beyond CPA preparation, the MSADA is about how to get experience in accounting. You’ll have opportunities for experiential hands-on learning, dive deep into data analytics, and develop a strategic command of artificial intelligence in the context of accounting.
If you’re weighing the prospects of a graduate degree, Schroeder offers clear advice: “You’re going to need a master’s credential at some point in your career, so it’s not a question of if, but when,” he explained. “Kelley has always been about value creation—and the MSADA is a value-enhancing degree,” Schroeder said.
Ready to launch the career-boosting benefits of the Kelley Accounting Certificate? Complete the Business Certificate request form to start the process. Questions about the Kelley MSADA? Reach out to us at ksbgrad@iu.edu and we’ll be in touch.
Weighing the paths to CPA licensure? Get a breakdown of what’s at stake from Kelley accounting expert Joe Schroeder.
What’s required to become a CPA? It depends on the path you choose.
In 2025, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) approved an alternative pathway for becoming eligible to sit for the CPA exam. Depending on your jurisdiction, your options may include:
- Traditional 150 credit hour pathway (master’s degree or equivalent credits) with an accounting concentration plus one year of professional experience
- New 120 credit hour pathway (bachelor’s degree) with an accounting concentration plus two years of professional experience
Joe Schroeder, chairperson of Graduate Accounting Programs, a professor of accounting, and PwC Faculty Fellow at the top-ranked Kelley School of Business, recommends that you consider these important factors as you make your decision:
Go beyond CPA requirements: Get real-world experience, master AI for accounting, and become a data analytics expert
“If you want to be a leader in the accounting profession, then you need to invest in yourself,” said Joe Schroeder. “Keep in mind—the CPA is a minimum competency exam—and the 120-hour pathway is the educational bare minimum. Yes, the 120-hour pathway can work; however, a master’s credential significantly matters for your long-term career advancement. You need to own your career goals and explore where you want to be in the next 20 or even 40 years,” he said.
It’s not if, but when: The 150-hour pathway is valuable CPA exam prep—and more
“The value proposition of the Kelley specialized master’s degrees is tremendous, and you’re going to need a graduate credential at some point in your career—so the question becomes whether to earn it now or later,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder pointed out that pairing any undergraduate degree (including nonbusiness backgrounds) with the 3/2 MBA or MS in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA) can expand your expertise well beyond the minimum requirements measured by the CPA exam. Watch Professor Schroeder explain more of the programs’ details.
“If you’re an undergraduate finance major, earn the MSADA to broaden your skills,” Joe recommended. “If you’re an undergraduate accounting major, add the MS in Finance, because then you not only learn how to prepare the reports, you learn how to use them.”
The choice between 150 or 120 credit hour paths to the CPA exam poses career implications for the long term. Gaining graduate-level business expertise bolsters your ability to get the outcome you want; “You’re better positioned for success on the CPA exam,” Schroeder said.
“With the 150 credit hour pathway, you can start sitting for the CPA exam during the spring semester of your one-year master’s degree, then knock out the rest over the summer,” Schroeder pointed out. “For those who choose the 120 credit hour pathway and head straight into the workplace, it can present a formidable challenge to balance a new career with finding time to study.”
Develop a strategic command of AI and accounting
As AI and technology rapidly change the business landscape, the need for accounting leaders with mastery of these tools is evident.
“I’m hearing firms say they want professionals with critical thinking skills who can be their resident expert on AI and technology tools,” Schroeder said. “Kelley Graduate Accounting Programs are focused on experiential learning, on data analytics, and artificial intelligence in the context of accounting.” Schroeder continued, “Students are doing international field studies and local field consulting projects—it’s learning by doing and consulting with real-life clients over complex business issues. It’s an education that’s transformational—the kind that sets you up better to start your career.”
Watch accounting professor Brian Williams share more about the cutting-edge research at the intersection of AI and accounting and beyond, happening now at Kelley.
CPA requirements aside, the value of a Kelley master’s sets you apart
Finally, it’s important to remember why the 150 credit hour rule was initially established: to bolster the development of critical thinking skills and broad-based thinking that was lacking among CPAs at the time. The 120 credit hour pathway eases entry to the accounting profession and removes perceived barriers to the field that may be responsible for a downward trend of accounting majors at many universities. But the top-ranked Kelley school isn’t experiencing this downward trend.
“Kelley accounting major numbers are up—we’ve always been about value creation,” Schroeder explained. “While some master’s programs across the country approached the 150 credit hour requirement as a 30 credit hour tack-on, the Kelley School of Business designed the 3/2 MBA program and MS in Accounting with Data and Analytics program from the beginning to be value-enhancing degrees.”
Professor Schroeder believes the value of the Kelley specialized accounting master’s degrees is more relevant than ever. “I’m excited—because for the first time since the 150 credit hour rule went into effect, students entering Kelley Graduate Accounting Programs are undoubtedly doing so for the right reasons—because they want to enhance their human capital and they want to become the best version of themselves,” Schroeder concluded.
Note: As states newly approve exam eligibility requirements, check NASBA’s exam eligibility requirements by jurisdiction for up-to-date criteria.
Begin your accounting career ready to lead with a Kelley MSADA or 3/2 MBA. Reach out to us at ksbgrad@iu.edu to ask questions or learn how to apply. We’re eager to discuss how a Kelley specialized master’s degree can equip you to achieve your career goals.
From Bloomington to the boardroom: How the Kelley 3/2 MBA set the stage for career success
From Hoosier to deals advisory: Katie Dluginsky’s Kelley 3/2 MBA story.
When Katie Dluginsky left Long Island, New York, for Indiana, she wasn’t just looking for a change of scenery; she was looking for a launchpad. Drawn to Indiana University’s spirited campus life and the renowned Kelley School of Business, Katie saw IU as the full-package college experience.
“IU gave me friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation—I still talk to my best friends from college every single day, even five years later,” she says.
Katie started her academic journey with a clear interest in accounting. Influenced by her accountant parents and love for problem solving, Katie started her academic journey with a clear interest in accounting. However, she didn’t want to just do the bare minimum to set herself up for success. To absorb as much knowledge, networking and personal transformation as possible, she enrolled in the 3/2 MBA program for its unique path that allows students to graduate in five years with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance, along with an MBA.
“Rather than spending six years to complete both degrees separately, the program allowed me to earn both my undergraduate and MBA degrees in just five years,” she explains. “It was the most efficient and rewarding way to meet both my educational and professional goals.”
From audit internships to advisory excellence
When she entered the 3/2 MBA program, Katie envisioned a traditional route in public accounting. She’d already interned in audit roles at Grant Thornton and PwC. But the program opened unexpected doors. Through case studies, networking events, and hands-on learning, she discovered a new passion: Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services (CMAAS).
Accounting career paths spotlight: Savannah Lee, MBA’25, Audit Associate, KPMG
When it comes to your business education, planning strategically yields significant reward. With an interest in accounting, Savannah Lee discovered a five-year accounting MBA path that would save her time and money: the Kelley 3/2 MBA maximized her educational investment in more ways than one. From her hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, Savannah put down roots in Bloomington for five years, interned with KPMG in London, and emerged as a business professional with an MBA and full-time job offer. Learn about Savannah’s experiences—and the career momentum you can build with the Kelley 3/2 MBA:
Discover an accelerated, pre-experience MBA program at a top-ranked business school
“The Kelley 3/2 MBA saved me time, money, and energy. The accelerated timeline to an MBA, an exemption from graduate entrance exams like the GMAT, and a continuous educational path (without having to move to another city), were important considerations for me. I was among peers who started the MBA with a high level of expertise, ready to dive into advanced accounting topics. Choosing Kelley for my combined undergraduate and 3/2 MBA journey allowed me the unique opportunity to participate in IU’s Russian Flagship Program. I studied Russian each semester, allowing me to use my brain in a different way, meet many different people, and build fluency in Russian. Together, the 3/2 MBA program paired with Russian language studies gave me a diverse perspective and skill set that benefits my ability for teamwork and innovative approaches.”
Develop your skill sets—technical and soft skills
“In my first semester of the 3/2 MBA program (my fourth year at Kelley), I participated in two cases—with Cummins and EY—that were incredibly transformational for me. Early in the program I struggled with public speaking and confidence in my own opinions. Through the Q&A portions of my case presentations, I learned you can’t always be perfectly prepared, and that’s okay. I learned to think on my feet, to offer answers in the moment, became comfortable with my voice, and recognize I have valuable perspectives to share.”
Count on mentors to challenge and support you
Pat Hopkins, Dean
“When I visited Kelley on Direct Admit Day, Dean Pat Hopkins told me about the 3/2 MBA and soon became a mentor to me. I was unable to travel regularly back home to Alaska, and I knew if I needed anything, Dean Hopkins and other faculty would be there to help. I had a perfectionist mindset early in the program, prioritizing school over my own health. He encouraged me to work hard but also strive for balance. Each time we met, he’d ask me, ‘Are you still going to the gym? Are you still staying on top of everything?’ He reminded me that college is a special time and that I should see my friends and take advantage of campus life. My 3/2 MBA peers were also great about reminding me that I could have both a top-ranked education and a balanced life. The 3/2 MBA program is full of intelligent, hardworking people, and it was great to be surrounded by them.”
Launch a career you’re excited to pursue
“As part of the 3/2 MBA global field study, I interned at KPMG London in financial due diligence. I prepared quarterly internal newsletters and completed sell-side due diligence by updating consolidated financial statements. During the day I learned a lot, and after work and on the weekends, I explored London, attended shows and soccer games, and traveled to other cities—it was incredible. That summer, I interned at KPMG Anchorage, culminating in a full-time offer following a streamlined application process where I was able to present a strong resume and polished interviewing skills that I gained at Kelley.”
Like Savannah, you can begin your career ready to lead with the Kelley 3/2 MBA. Reach out to us at ksbgrad@iu.edu to ask questions or learn how to apply. We’re eager to discuss how the 3/2 MBA can equip you to achieve your career goals.
Accounting career paths spotlight: Catie Modugno, MSADA’25, Tax Associate, Alvarez & Marsal
How long does it take to get an accounting degree? In just one year, Catie Modugno, MSADA’25, earned a graduate degree in accounting from the top-ranked Kelley School of Business. As a student in the MS in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA) program, Catie leveraged every opportunity to gain hands-on accounting experience, including applying the knowledge she gained in her courses toward real-world experience. Now she’s launching her career at Alvarez & Marsal as a tax associate. If you’re interested in how to get into accounting, Catie’s story can point you in the direction of career opportunity:
A master’s degree in accounting that builds career momentum
“I chose to apply to the MSADA program as an undergraduate student in accounting, with goals to earn a prestigious Kelley graduate degree, bring focus to my career, while also investing in my human capital to strengthen my future career trajectory. Planning to stay an additional year at Kelley to add a master’s degree set me up in an ideal way, allowing me to complete my undergraduate degree and complete four years on the IU RedStepper Dance Team. With a strong desire to advance my dance career to a professional level, I became an Indianapolis Colts cheerleader for the 2024–25 season and simultaneously started the MSADA to pursue my academic goals. Balancing the MSADA program’s rigorous course load with my outside commitments strengthened my skills in time management and organization, and sharpened my focus, allowing me to succeed in the program.”
An experiential accounting program that gets you career ready
“Some of the program’s aspects that appealed to me most were the MSADA’s highly regarded field consulting project, the networking opportunities I’d gain, and the range of real-world learning experiences to become a prepared business professional. Applying accounting concepts hands-on through the field consulting project was excellent preparation for a full-time career. I worked alongside three Kelley peers to provide consulting services to Forty5, a production company located in Indianapolis. I was accountable to clients, practiced effective communication, and delivered work to match their expectations—gaining all this experience prior to entering the workforce. In another opportunity, I analyzed financial statements of a real company, applied technical tax concepts, and presented to a panel of professors acting as a governing board. These experiences built a clear bridge from understanding concepts to using the knowledge I gained.”
An MSADA advances your career possibilities
“I’m currently studying for the CPA exam and joined the consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal in Chicago as a tax associate in their global transaction tax group.”
An accounting master’s program well worth the investment
“The opportunity to go directly into graduate school from your undergraduate program facilitates a smoother transition built on academic momentum. My advice? Take advantage of the MSADA program and fully engage in each class. Build your professional network with the MSADA cohort, other Kelley specialty master’s students, the Kelley alumni network, and insightful professors. Approach each opportunity with an open mind and step outside of your comfort zone.”
Like Catie, you can gain a winning edge with the Kelley MS in Accounting with Data Analytics. Reach out to us at acctgrad@iu.edu to ask questions or set up a campus visit. We’re eager to discuss your interests and how an MSADA can equip you to achieve your career goals.
Is a master’s in accounting worth it? Classical musician Tomas de la Rosa, MSADA’25 unlocks a career at Deloitte.
Tomas de la Rosa, MSADA’25, knows how to perform well under pressure. As a classical violist, he participated in the Aspen Music Festival, won the grand prize and BIPOC awards at the inaugural Glass City Chamber Music Competition in Toledo, and studied intensively under the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Halfway through his master’s degree in music, Tomas considered pivoting to the top-ranked Kelley School of Business to pursue an additional master’s program in accounting and how it might set him up for long-term career success.
By earning Kelley’s MS in Accounting with Data and Analytics (MSADA), Tomas expanded his career possibilities and gained accounting expertise to be equally at ease in both the corporate world and the performing arts. Read his personal insights on how you can launch an exciting career powered by a Kelley MSADA:
Add business expertise to any undergraduate degree
“I’ve always had a significant interest in technology and using my analytical mindset. My life experiences helped me build approaches to problem–solving and craft flexible solutions in ways that could be expanded upon to solve future problems. I thoroughly enjoy the process of learning and mastering topics. I want to know how things work and why. The logic behind processes is just as important to me, if not more, than the end product. Ultimately, it’s my enjoyment of the creation and application of knowledge that drives my life. I decided to pursue the Kelley MSADA to complement my musical interests and to add business knowledge for the greatest adaptability to anything the future has in store.”
Take graduate accounting courses that prep you with real-world experience
“In conversations with the program, I learned that the MSADA curriculum not only focuses on building an accounting foundation but adds many opportunities for experiential learning. Just as in music, the tools and knowledge of business are only one part of overcoming an obstacle. The best way to cement your understanding and capitalize on your potential is to apply knowledge with purpose to accomplish defined goals—both individually and on a team. Kelley’s commitment to experiential learning, both in the classroom and the real world, convinced me that the MSADA was a degree I wanted to officially pursue.”
Connect with faculty mentors who support your career goals
“MSADA faculty and my colleagues were highlights of my time in the program. I enjoyed each class and learned a tremendous amount. The opportunity to learn from great minds devoted to my success was both inspiring and affirming. Thanks to the support of the faculty, I was always confident that I was on the right path. It was an honor to work alongside classmates who were diligent and supportive, regardless of the task at hand. I had opportunities to go beyond my comfort zone and learn so much more than I expected. Even when the times got tough, the day was always brighter knowing that I would be able to spend time with my colleagues in our many classes together.”
Network with top companies for a dynamic accounting career
“I’m incredibly privileged to have secured a position as an incoming auditor at Deloitte in Stamford, Connecticut! This summer I’ll devote much of my time toward preparing for the CPA exam and ensuring I’m as prepared as possible for this next chapter of my life—all this while staying on top of practicing the viola!”
Invest in a one-year graduate degree for a lifetime of career success
“My path towards the MSADA program was not traditional. For my application to be considered, I completed a list of prerequisite accounting courses. This journey—both completing the prerequisites and the whole MSADA program—was more than worth it. Regardless of your undergraduate background, I encourage you to view this as an opportunity to invest in yourself. This program goes by quickly, just a single year with two seven-week mini-semesters per academic semester. The curriculum and structure give you the chance to network, learn, and grow at an exponential pace. You’ll leave the program with tremendous momentum, empowered to shoot for the stars. If you’re interested in pushing yourself and being prepared for anything the world throws at you, I highly recommend you pursue this degree.”
Get where you want to go in your career
The MSADA program is designed to do for you what it did for Tomas de la Rosa—build a bridge from passion to profession. Whether you arrive to the Kelley MSADA program from a corporate internship, a business undergraduate program, or the performance hall, you’ll prepare for lasting career success.
Discover how the Kelley MSADA can propel your career trajectory. Contact us to schedule an advising appointment or reach out to acctgrad@iu.edu with your questions. We’re eager to talk about your career goals and how the Kelley MSADA can get you where you want to go.
From the green to investment banking: A 3/2 MBA put her on the career fairway
Morgan Dabagia, 3/2 MBA’25, came to Indiana University to compete on the Women’s Varsity Golf Team and earn a top-tier education from the Kelley School. Basically “stuck inside the student-athlete bubble” for her first two years, she missed out on the Workshops and other programs that deepen students’ understanding of potential career paths—but this changed in a big way when she participated in Honors I-Core her junior year. She discovered investment banking and Kelley’s 3/2 MBA program, where students begin their MBA their senior year so they can graduate with a bachelor’s and MBA in just five years.
Morgan Dabagia, 3/2 MBA’25
“I entered the 3/2 MBA program with no internship experience, no clear path forward, minimal experience with networking, and low levels of involvement at Kelley,” Morgan said. “I graduated from the program two years later having had two internships, two graduate assistantships, two community consulting projects, exponential growth in my network, a full-time job, and a level of preparedness I never could have expected.”
Why did you choose Kelley’s 3/2 MBA for accounting and finance?
When I was a freshman, I chose to pursue a business management major. For me, it was another way of saying, “I have no idea what I want to do for a living.” During the Honors I-Core semester my junior year, however, I met a lot of people in what I later learned was the Investment Banking Workshop and decided this was a career for me—but my timing was off. I needed an extra year of school to recruit for investment banking positions. I also needed to change my major to finance and/or accounting (I majored in both).
My “Why 3/2 MBA” answer would change drastically after just a few interactions with Dave Greene, clinical professor in accounting, and Mollie DeBrunner, 3/2 MBA alumna and graduate assistant when I began the program. I saw the opportunity to transform from undergrad to graduate student and from graduate student to professional. And I leaned into it.
What was your favorite part of the 3/2 MBA program?
It’s two-fold: the experiential learning opportunities and my graduate assistantship. Throughout the program, I had the ability to complete consulting projects for both Huntingburg Airport in Dubois County and Monroe County Airport. These were some of the most fun and rewarding projects I have ever done. Not only was I impacting the community, but I was also gaining invaluable field experience where I could apply my classroom skills to real-world problems. I would be remiss to not include my graduate assistantship for Dave Greene as one of my favorite parts of the program. Through this GA appointment, I have been able to help teach several courses over the past two years. I feel lucky to have had such a substantial interaction with up-and-coming students in the program and have enjoyed the mentorship piece the most.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m an incoming investment banking analyst in the Biopharma M&A group at Jefferies in its Chicago office. I will be working directly for Chris Roop, who earned his Kelley 3/2 MBA in 2002.
What advice would you give students considering the 3/2 MBA program?
The most common piece of advice I give to students entering the program is to really lean into the transformation process and accept the difference between the graduate and undergraduate mindset. I have watched three classes grow throughout different stages of the program, and I am consistently impressed with the level of growth and development achieved by those who embrace the change.
I think the difference between the graduate and undergraduate mindset can be summed up by learning to treat the program like a job, your professors like your bosses, and your classmates like your coworkers. Expectations of you are higher, so the growth process will be less strenuous if you raise the bar for yourself. Most importantly, enjoy your time in the program and take advantage of all the resources at your disposal! Enrolling in the 3/2 MBA will likely be one of the best decisions you have made to date.
Interested in the 3/2 MBA? Kelley undergraduates majoring in accounting or finance can apply to the 3/2 MBA program as early as their sophomore year. If interested, talk with an advisor to ensure you can complete your MBA prerequisites in time to transition to the MBA program your senior year. Learn how to apply.
Get an inside look at the Kelley 3/2 MBA—when to apply, what to expect, and where it can take you—with student Nicole Pines
By Mary Thomason-Smith
For Kelley student Nicole Pines, the highlight of the 3/2 MBA program is the person she’s becoming. Nicole is particularly passionate for women to consider the program, saying “while the 3/2 MBA can seem daunting, I hope hearing my story will encourage women to join.” Here are Nicole’s firsthand tips and insights for anyone considering the 3/2 MBA:
Apply early
“I learned about the 3/2 MBA in my first year living at the Jellison Living Learning Center talking with Kelley accounting majors. After I decided to major in accounting and finance, I went to a 3/2 MBA information session to learn more. I decided the 3/2 MBA would be an efficient way to earn the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam, and I would get even more—an actual MBA. A huge selling point for me was the opportunity for an immersive, seven-week global field study and internship. I applied to the program in February of my second year at Kelley, interviewed in March, received my acceptance notification in April, and committed ahead of my third year at Kelley.”
Gain real-world expertise
“A highlight of the program is that it’s team-based, with smaller classes where I feel comfortable speaking out. Teams work together on case studies based on real-world scenarios, sponsored by actual professionals. My team’s sponsor, Grant Thornton, wrote our case and role-played management. During case study preparations, Professor Dave Greene likes to do something he calls ‘the fickle finger of fate’—giving teams a problem they may face in the real world, such as a team member’s illness or lost presentation slides. These things really happen in the real world, and I’m learning how to deal with the unexpected in an environment where it’s safe to fail, rather than entering the real world unprepared.”
Develop soft skills to complement your technical abilities
“With the 3/2 MBA, I’ll know accounting and finance like the back of my hand. But this degree offers a lot more than that. I’ve developed soft skills—how to network, collaborate with a team, be a leader, and how to be a follower at times. I’ve learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable—that I’m not going to be perfect in everything. Presenting regularly helped me become more composed, speak slowly, and build my confidence in front of a crowd. The soft skill development that goes along with building technical skills is one of the aspects I appreciate most about this program.”
Expand your career options
“I’ve talked with Kelley 3/2 MBA alumni who began their path in finance or accounting and then shifted career directions. Both alumni and professors tell me not to box myself into one concept of what my career can be. With the support of the Kelley alumni network—who are so helpful in finding a job—I believe my career will always be secure. I’m looking forward to an audit internship with EY this summer. My dream is to work for a smaller company as an accountant or controller, gaining the perspective of an internal accountant.”
Interested in where the 3/2 MBA can take you? Explore the possibilities.
1/1/21 vs 1/1/22
By Bobby Strode, 3/2 MBA Class of 2023
As you may infer from the title, those dates represent two different versions of myself. On 1/1/21, I was your typical college junior feeling fairly accomplished coming off the I-Core semester. By that time, I had an internship locked up, accepted my offer to join the 3/2 MBA program Class of 2023, and was eager to start a class called “Spring Training.” Flash forward to 1/1/22, the personal and professional growth witnessed in myself over the previous year could not be matched. Never had I been exposed to a group as generous as the 3/2 MBA alumni network, who come back time and time again to talk with students for hours. Researching their company/industry, hearing about their experience, listening to questions from my cohort, forming my own questions, and watching Professor Greene interact with them all drove me to become a more well-rounded business student and future leader. Here are a few things I’ve learned through the process:
My undergraduate self thought a good presentation was a good presentation. If you told a comprehensive, compelling story with well-formatted slides, then anyone with half a brain would recognize your effort. But what if your audience was the CEO versus your boss? Or an outside consultant versus a potential customer? Knowledge levels differ between each; therefore, your content and organization must as well. A presentation is only good if the content matches your intended audience’s degree of understanding. For that reason, knowing my audience is the number one skill I’ve worked to develop.
This idea did not originally stem from my own volition. I was pushed into it through an array of presentations (Spring Training, Orientation, A509, Strategy, Audit) and a high volume of emails (informational interviews, faculty, other students) that came from being part of the 3/2. While tedious and uncomfortable at first, I firmly believe this skill will set me apart early in my career, not to mention serve me well no matter where I end up.
Another skill, one might call a perspective, that I’ve acquired is focusing on the bigger picture. Students, myself included, get easily caught up in the content of something. Constantly focused on how to memorize and regurgitate as much content as possible. Facts and figures do make the world go round; however, sometimes there is more to be learned than simply what someone tells you. Is the topic being presented in a way that makes sense? How can I improve the presentation? What about their presentation style do I like and why? Does this make sense given what I currently know? Are the right questions being asked? Am I ready to give feedback if asked for it? These are the questions that go through my head on a daily basis.
The learning process is never ending and the best businesspeople, I promise you, are constantly trying to learn from those around them. Because the subject matter will undoubtedly change over time, but your capacity to see a problem, to ask questions, and to execute should be foundational. This can be related to math equations from high school like the quadratic formula. Each variable (a.k.a. content) was top of mind while you solved a problem. If you were lost, then you asked questions until the problem was completed. I would argue the 3/2 program is no different in that now it’s not the quadratic formula; it’s lease accounting or foreign exchange markets or information technology. Business professionals solve problems by asking questions, and they get better at it by asking more questions.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge that my path has changed. Deloitte Consulting seemed like my ideal landing spot for years. Though today, I’m not sure if I wanted that for me or because (what felt like) everyone around me was looking at the Big 4. After learning about my career opportunities through the 3/2 program, my sights are now set on corporate. This summer I am on the Investor Relations team at Deere & Company World Headquarters in Moline, IL. A position that I’m not convinced I would’ve found without Dave Greene and my cohort, and one that I wouldn’t have had the confidence to interview for 1/1/21.