Meet Some of Our Accounting Students

I am the Director of Finance for the SGA. Over my two years in this position, I learned the importance of time management and effective systems. My job was to account for and manage a budget of nearly $400,000. With transactions occurring every day, I created an internal financial management system that helped streamline the process. I was able to innovate solutions in order to optimize efficiency.

I took a finance class where we built data models in Microsoft Excel. The knowledge I learned in this class allowed me to build data models and systems as I worked at other jobs. I was able to create Excel systems that streamlined processes and analyzed data that were then used by my employers.

Champlain taught me how to act professionally, encouraged me to be a team player, and provided me with a foundation of knowledge to help propel my future career. At the end of my internship with KPMG, I was offered a full-time job post-graduation! I don't think I would have had the opportunity to work for a Big Four accounting firm if I hadn't landed the internship.

The Accounting major is currently a little small, but that doesn't take away the experience. There's nothing quite like being Facebook friends with your professors. The connection that professors and students have goes beyond the classroom and Linkedin, Nicole Morris and Cathy Duffy (and Jen Vincent even though she isn't Accounting), are such great professors who help you with any questions you may have. Pat Boera in the Career Collaborative is also a major blessing, encouraging students to gain experiences related to their career paths. All of the faculty and professional staff want to see you succeed and do well, and they are more than willing to help.

The Upside-Down Curriculum has tremendously benefitted both my education and my career. I've taken part in numerous live client projects and several internships during my time here at Champlain, which have only helped me to develop myself as a professional while also being a student.

I am involved with the International Business Roundtable. It's great to partake in weekly discussions about current events, and I leave every meeting having learned something new and heard numerous different perspectives on a scenario. Additionally, each fall and spring semester, the organization takes a trip to Montreal. We visit different consulates and engage in discussion with them! 

Stiller Women in Business is another organization that I was involved with. I joined my first year by just attending events. In my second year, I transitioned to a Finance role and then to the role of President in my second and third years. My favorite event was the semi-annual networking event! It was great to have professionals and students mixing and working on their networking skills. 

Yeah, I feel that Champlain is preparing me for the professional world. They do a good job of matching students with internships. School can teach you the basics, but when you get on the job, that's when you really start learning.

The Upside-Down Curriculum gets students involved in their major in their first year in college. It really puts you ahead of the curve, especially when you're seeking internships. It allows you to get internships earlier than students from other colleges would be able to, because you get into your major in your first year. And if your major ends up not being what you're looking for, at least you know that in your first year rather than your third.

The thing I'm going to miss most about Champlain are the people that I've met here. At Champlain, it's been very easy to meet great people. Through the friends that I've made, I've really blossomed from the person that I was in high school to the person I am now.

I was drawn to the Upside-Down Curriculum, high job placement, and small classes. When first looking at colleges, I wasn't sure what size I was really looking for, but I am so glad I chose a small school. The connection you build with both students and faculty is something that can be extremely challenging in larger schools, but can be transformative during a student's time in college.

I have been a commuter and residential student, and I think the best thing about Champlain's community is the family-like dynamic. Whenever I am walking to or from classes, I am bound to run into someone I know, and I never hesitate to say hi and check in to see how they're doing!

I am involved in Stiller Women in Business (SWIB), currently serving as the President. I also serve as a Resident Advisor. I have been involved in SWIB since my first semester of college, and I love the mission of the group and all of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to work with. As for the RA position, I chose to take on this responsibility to be a resource for students and provide a safe space for them to confide in if they do not feel like talking to a professional staff member.

My advisor, Nicole Morris, believed in me right from the beginning. I had her as a professor for one of my classes in my first semester during my first year, and I have her now in my last semester at Champlain. She's been consistently supportive for all four years. Many of my classmates have had the same experience with their advisors. I really have appreciated her believing in me and her guidance. 

Core gave me the opportunity to hear perspectives from people with broader experiences than I have. My Core professors were some of the best people I've ever known. Being such a close-knit community allowed for people-including the professors- to share their genuine selves. I will forever be impacted by my Core experiences.

One thing I didn't expect was how beneficial the Career Collaborative is. Pat Boera helps every student in the Stiller School of Business literally every single step of the way in finding their place in the professional world. She helped me build a LinkedIn profile and résumé, she guided me through accounting recruiting season, and conducted my mock interview and gave detailed feedback.