Hawks Hired highlights the accomplishments of RWU graduates as they finalize the next steps in their career journeys. Jacquelyn is currently a Audit Associate at RSM. Read on to learn more about her next chapter since graduation.
What was your program of study at RWU? I was an honors double major in Accounting and Finance with a core concentration in Painting/Drawing/Printmaking.
Graduation year? I graduated May of 2023.
Where is your next adventure? (Company/School and Role) My next adventure just began at the beginning of October. I am an Audit Associate for RSM, in the Boston location, specifically working on financial service based clientele. RSM is the fifth largest public accounting firm in the world with a focus on middle markets. I am also in the process of studying for and taking my CPA exam while I take on this new role at RSM.
What are you most looking forward to in this new role? I am looking forward to the team atmosphere this company provides. There is so much to learn as a new hire from actual tasks of my job to professional appearance and communication. I am excited for the opportunity to grow not only as an auditor but as an individual as well. I am just about a month into my job now and I have already been given the opportunity to learn so much about public accounting and about being a young professional. The culture at RSM is beyond welcoming and each individual that I have met thus far genuinely wants what is best for me and for my success. The team environment is my favorite part of the job, being able to work with so many different individuals already and learning how to best communicate to be successful.
What was the process like of landing this job/next opportunity?
This was a bit more unconventional than the average job search process. I was offered this position my junior year given I successfully completed an internship (this could have been anywhere). I was able to network with people from RSM and build my connections throughout junior year and the summer heading into senior year. I successfully completed an internship at the TJX corporate finance office and began speaking with those from RSM again about the opportunities I had with their company. I was encouraged to send in an application and before I knew it I accepted an offer from them at the beginning of my senior year, giving me the rest of the year to focus on school and the opportunities I had there. While this may have seemed like a very simple and easy process it was stressful to decide to accept an offer this early on. However being taught to capitalize on opportunities provided, I did not want to pass up on this amazing offer.
Who helped you during your job search/graduate school process?
The two most influential people from RWU in my post-graduate career were Mary Santoro and
Dr. Michael Melton (Doc). Mary was my career advisor and was so beyond helpful in assisting me with organizational skills and professional development throughout the internship and job search process. She helped me understand the process and taught me how to best make use of my time and resources. She built my confidence in myself and pushed me to take risks I would have otherwise been too nervous to take. Without her I would not have been on top of everything nor would I have been in a position to accept a full time job at RSM post-graduation at the beginning of my senior year of college. As for Doc, he pushed me to understand my worth and how important it was to choose a career post grad that best met my needs rather than following the general crowd. He also taught me to adapt to extreme learning curves. By being a leader of the CAFE program for him and being one of his students, I was able to make many very special and important connections. Doc taught me the importance of networking and how vital it was to be a sponge (learn as much as you can with all the opportunities you are given). I also could not have been as successful in my job search process without the support of my family. They were there every step of the way no matter what.
What advice do you have to students who are in the process of finding a job/going to graduate school? Some advice that I have for others is be kind to yourself, understand that failure and not knowing what to do is all a part of the process. There will be times where you don’t know who to go to or even what you need help on. Just know that there are always people that will be in your corner and asking for help is the best thing for you to do. Where you end up after college does not have to be permanent either but think of it as your first step into the adult world. Capitalize on all opportunities given and be a sponge wherever you go. You will be the most successful when you are a team player (someone willing to help on anything even if it is not your job), when you want to learn new things, and when you communicate well (this includes asking questions!). Find a mentor, go to the career advisors office, lean on a trusted teacher. People want you to succeed so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Want to share your next steps with the CCPD? Email Kevin (kdeeb@rwu.edu) in the CCPD to learn more about sharing with us!
