Get to know Julia

Current role: Senior Director, Global Employee Equity Investments
Current industry: Real Estate Investment
Current location: Charleston, SC
Program start date: August 2012
Graduation date: May 2013
Program format: On-campus

Life before Jenkins

Education: B.S. Accounting, NC State
Pre-program work experience: Credit Suisse and KPMG (internships); teaching assistant

Why a MAC?

Julia knew early on that accounting would shape her career, and graduate school was the natural next step. “Once I decided that I was going to go down the accounting route, I knew right away that I wanted to pursue post-grad education,” she says. She approached the additional year with enthusiasm rather than hesitation. “I am someone who loved school, so I wasn’t upset by the fact that I was going to have another year to go before entering the real world.”

Her internship experience helped confirm that direction. After working with Credit Suisse and KPMG, she identified public accounting as the right place to begin her career.

Why Jenkins?

As an undergraduate at NC State, Julia did not feel the need to search broadly for other programs. “I truly didn’t look far and wide to find a program other than Jenkins,” she says.

Her connection to the university and confidence in the program’s structure guided her decision. “I love NC State, I love the Poole College of Management, and the faculty within the Jenkins program all had strong backgrounds that could provide a wide breadth of experiences or knowledge to share.” She also points to alumni outcomes as a key influence, noting that the success of past graduates reinforced her choice.

What made it great

Julia points to the program’s emphasis on discussion and real-time problem-solving as a defining part of her experience. “The students were able to work through scenarios live, and the professors allowed for trial and error,” she says. “Looking back on that over a decade later, this is a learning process that is invaluable in the professional world.”

She sees a clear distinction between Jenkins graduates and others in how they approach problem-solving. The program pushed students to engage, challenge ideas and think critically. “There is a big line between people who learned how to practice professional trial and error, converse, play devil’s advocate, and those who haven’t,” she says.

“Looking back on that over a decade later, this is a learning process that is invaluable in the professional world.”

The program also expanded her perspective on career paths. While public accounting remained a common starting point, she recalls strong encouragement to think beyond it. “There was a lot of encouragement to see where you could go after public accounting and options in the corporate world,” she says.

Career impact

Julia ties much of her career trajectory to the foundation built during the program. “I truly don’t think I would be where I am in my career without the guidance, support and experiences I had during my MAC program,” she says.

The combination of technical preparation and applied learning shaped how she approaches her work and decision-making.

 “I truly don’t think I would be where I am in my career without the guidance, support and experiences I had during my MAC program.”

Final thoughts

The impact of the program extended beyond academics into lasting personal and professional growth. “I made lifelong friends during this program that continue to encourage and support me throughout my life and career,” she says.

She also credits the experience with shaping how she works and leads. During her time in the program, she developed skills that continue to influence her career, from collaboration to adaptability. “I learned how to be a team player in an office setting and outside of the office. I learned how to be open-minded to the thoughts of other people. I learned how to be comfortable with intellectual discomfort. I learned how to be calm under pressure,” she says.

She sums up the experience in one line. “I learned to be a thinker versus just a knower.”

Get in touch

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn.

Learn more

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This post was originally published in MAC Program.