Three ways to get the most out of your master’s degree
Master of Accountancy student ambassador Hannah Brammer ’23, ’24 offers advice to future graduate students.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I was eager to continue my academic journey with UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business by pursuing the Master of Accountancy program (MACC). It was important to me to maximize my time in the program and lay the groundwork for a fulfilling career. I’ve found that integrating prior experience with what is being taught in class, getting involved outside of class and treating this time as a bridge to a career are a few ways to maximize the value of your degree.
Integrate prior experience with the program
At the Belk College of Business, your experience is valuable. Through internships, research, undergraduate coursework or a full-time job, you’ll develop a wealth of knowledge that adds value to your program. Integrating your personal experience with what is being taught in graduate school will enhance the value of your degree. Get fully involved in your classes by participating in group discussions and asking questions. Fully immersing yourself in the material makes a significant difference in the learning experience.
Connect with your professors and other faculty as well. They are here to support you and want to see you succeed. Most of the faculty at the Belk College of Business either have personal experience within your chosen field or have strong connections currently working in the industry. They can help you identify potential career paths and make introductions. Only six weeks into the first semester, I developed valuable connections with faculty in the MACC program to lay the groundwork for future success academically and professionally.
Get involved outside of class
The MACC program is a cohort of outgoing and charismatic students. In the first few weeks of class, we had a happy hour at Birdsong Brewing Company. It was great connecting with each other outside of the classroom and hearing about everyone’s experiences.
This was the beginning of building the personal and professional relationships that will carry us for the rest of our lives. After that, we started taking advantage of the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City’s proximity to many attractive spots in Uptown to have lunch together on class days. Our cohort also enjoys grabbing coffee from the on-campus café and relaxing outside during breaks from class. We even got together in Southend to celebrate a classmate’s birthday.
View this time as a bridge to a career
By attending the Belk College of Business, you have access to a vast alumni network that you can leverage to create meaningful connections throughout your career as well as pay it forward by serving as a resource for future students.
The time you spend in graduate school is when you develop some of the most valuable skills you will use in your career. Beyond what you learn in the classroom, you will create a wealth of connections with faculty, peers, alumni and other supporters of the program that will enrich your experience and continue to benefit you well after graduation.