Written by: Natalie Mejia, MS in Accounting ’24
Community is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals. When deciding where to attend grad school, community is not likely to be weighed heavily amongst other things like academics, program length, etc. Considering the fact that the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program would introduce a new set of challenges, I found it necessary to ensure that a sense of community would follow me into my final year of studies. Creating this feeling of fellowship has fueled my success relating to academics, socializing and professional development.
Academics
Graduate programs are formed with the intent to challenge your way of thinking and promote your ability to think critically. As I became familiar with my coursework in the first semester of the MSA program, I quickly noticed that there was an emphasis on application of the material. The curriculum curated by the department aimed to prepare us for a more realistic sense of what would be expected of us as public accountants.
Although challenging, I found comfort in knowing that this was a shared experience among my peers. Difficulty would arise in moments when we’d all have many assignments coming up, conflicting schedules or a challenging project. In these moments, we actively discussed thoughts, communicated and shared resources within our respective cohorts and groups. This helped me to form relationships with my peers.
Socially
Maintaining a social life as a full-time graduate student, working and studying for exams is a challenge. I found myself often leaning on my community in different ways at UB in order to decompress from classes during my free time. Whether it be grabbing lunch with a classmate, studying together or attending a School of Management club meeting, this fueled my energy towards completion of the program.
The Accounting Department also makes a huge effort to ensure that students are not solely focused on coursework and can have the opportunity to enjoy time together outside of the classroom. As part of the MSA’s Fun Committee, a group of MS Accounting students and faculty members, we plan social events such happy hours, bowling and a year-end celebration to provide a fun reason to get together, giving us all something to look forward to throughout the semester.
Professionally
As aspiring certified public accountants, many of us are completing the program and balancing studying for CPA exams. Although everyone has their own pace and nobody’s journey is the same, many students are like minded in this area. Whether it be sharing studying tips, having accountability friends to keep me on track, or simply a support system to get me through, this has been crucial to my success in staying consistent towards reaching this goal.
Ultimately, a sense of belonging while in grad school has allowed me to flourish academically, socially and professionally. I could not imagine having to complete the program without having access to the resources, encouragement and development that community provides. As I prepare to graduate, I look forward to the connections and network that I’ve built to help guide me through my career. I encourage anyone beginning their journey to get involved and foster an inclusive community they can be a part of.
Bio: Natalie was born and raised in Queens, New York, with her parents, brother and extended family who immigrated from the Dominican Republic. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from UB and is currently pursuing her MSA. During her undergraduate program, Natalie demonstrated her commitment to equity and inclusion while serving on the executive board of the School of Management Minority Alliance. This experience allowed her to develop leadership skills and make meaningful connections that will last a lifetime. In her free time, Natalie enjoys watching sporting events and playing basketball with friends. She also spends time in nature and loves going on hikes. Whether it be travelling, trying new restaurants, finding new music or visiting family, making time for these experiences allow her to succeed academically.
Photo credit: Tom Wolf