Our featured graduate student in this issue of IMPACT is Andrea (Andi) Hey, a candidate in the Grossman School of Business’ Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) program.

IMPACT: Andi, tell our readers where you are from and how you got interested in your major as an undergraduate student.

ANDI: I am from Richmond, Virginia, and first came to UVM in 2014 for my undergraduate education. As an undergraduate in the Grossman School of Business, my theme was Global Business and my concentration was Accounting. I appreciated the close-knit community that UVM and Burlington provided in addition to the beautiful scenery in Vermont, both major factors in my returning here for the graduate program.

IMPACT: We hear that a lot! What inspired you to go to graduate school at UVM?

ANDI: While pursuing my bachelor's degree in the Grossman School of Business, I was fortunate to have professors who helped me to take inventory of my skills and interests and identify the type of career I envision for myself. During my junior year, I began taking accounting courses to fulfill my concentration requirements and started to appreciate how this knowledge could greatly enhance my understanding of the business world. It was also in this year that I had a fantastic mentor, Professor Susan Hughes, who both encouraged and supported me in applying for a winter internship with one of the "Big Four" public accounting firms.

In my last three semesters at UVM, professors and faculty aided in planning a way for me to graduate one semester early so that I would be able to intern in the winter of 2018 at KPMG, LLP. When deciding where to attend graduate school, the clear choice was UVM due to the strong support the program offers. In both my undergraduate and graduate experiences here, I have been tremendously fortunate to be able to work with and learn from stellar peers and challenging professors who are passionate about their subjects.

IMPACT:The Grossman School is particularly good at preparing their students for the real world, so I'm not surprised to hear that. Tell us about your experiences in grad school, and what it is like to work with faculty members and to do your own research and scholarship.

ANDI: Overall, my experience as a Master of Accountancy student at UVM has been great. The accounting faculty have diverse career and research experiences which provide students with many perspectives and opportunities to learn. Professors bring in top alumni and professionals to share industry experience and to help us to think critically about the topics we are learning in our studies.

By far, one of the greatest advantages of the Grossman School of Business is the many opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates to work closely with professors. As an undergraduate, one of the ways I best cultivated skills in professionalism and communications was in my role as a teaching assistant for Professor Rocki DeWitt. This year, I am a graduate assistant for Professors Steven Gove and Rick Vanden Bergh. In this role, I have been able to learn about the academic research process, which is very interesting to me.

IMPACT: Are there any faculty members in your program that have been particularly important to you and if so, why?

ANDI: In the MAcc program and throughout the business school, the professors are highly knowledgeable and experienced. I have had the pleasure to work with faculty members both in my program and outside of it who are always willing to have a conversation about current business news, research, or coursework.

Professors Susan Hughes, Suzanne Lowensohn, Joanne Pencak, and Barbara Arel are particularly important to me as highly intelligent women in the accounting field. I am also thankful for the encouragement of Professors Stephen Dempsey and Glenn Walberg during particularly difficult courses.

I am truly impressed with the leadership Dr. Susan Hughes exhibits in directing the program, in addition to her diligent work helping students to network with alumni and professionals for job opportunities. I am passionate about social justice and sustainable business and can share these interests with Professor Hughes who meets these discussions with enthusiasm. She advocates for women in the program and in business overall, and I feel very lucky to have her as a mentor.

IMPACT: Tell us where you are in your graduate education and what you plan to do after graduating?

ANDI: Currently, I am in the first semester of my graduate program. Upon completing my degree in May, I plan to spend the summer preparing for and taking the Certified Public Accountant examination. In September, I will be returning to KPMG in New York City as an Audit Associate in Financial Services. I greatly look forward to taking the skills I am refining at UVM and applying them to this role as I help clients in the banking and asset management industries.

IMPACT: A career in New York City, how exciting! Tell us about any general interests you may have in addition to your studies…

ANDI: Outside of my studies and work, I love to travel as much as I can. During my time at UVM, I have had the opportunity to travel to Sweden, Brazil, England, and France and learn about the different cultures and languages of each country.

I am further interested in volunteer activities and community involvement. Currently, I am a volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House here in Burlington, VT, which houses families of sick children receiving treatment at the UVM Medical Center. Also, I love to snowboard, so attending university in Vermont is about as good as it gets!

IMPACT: Andi, thanks for your time and best of luck with your program.