“Entering the workplace as an Audit Associate at KPMG Houston has been a great fit for me,” Smith said. “I work at a client with a team of eight other auditors, so I have the opportunity to work closely with and gain knowledge from those who have formerly been in my position.   I’ve always loved being part of a team.  During my time at SU I spent the majority of my extracurricular time on the volleyball court and have been able to apply several skills from playing Division III athletics to my work at KPMG:  teamwork, dedication and strong work ethic, to name a few.”

Smith got the unique opportunity to compete for and secure the Kemper Scholarship, which 15 students nationwide are awarded annually.  The scholarship includes the opportunity to take part in two summer internships, at non-profit and for-profit employers, funded by the Kemper Foundation.

“I worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago the summer after my sophomore year,” Smith explained.  “This was my first immersion into the working world, and through the experience I realized that I would pursue a job opportunity in the field of accounting after graduation.”

The scholarship application process itself helped Smith prepare for her future after Southwestern.  After visiting Career Services with her First-Year Seminar class, Smith learned she could meet with Career Services to review her resume and take part in practice interviews, both of which she did to compete effectively for the scholarship. 

“Career Services aided me immensely during my time at SU and after as well,” Smith affirmed. “The ‘test-run’ practice interview prepared me well for my interview later in the week, and I believe it played a large part in my being awarded with the Kemper Scholarship. Career Services also helped me earn college credit for all of the internships I took part in during my time at SU.”

Once she won the scholarship, Smith continued to work with Career Services through one-on-one advising to search for a second internship, learn more about accounting as a career field through the annual Careers in Accounting panel presentation and Accounting Dinner, sponsored by alumni working for Big 4 accounting firms, and actually interview on campus for the internship that eventually led to her full-time job.

“My second internship was with the audit practice of KPMG Houston,” Smith said. “I took part in a two-month internship during January and February of my junior year before going abroad.   I thoroughly enjoyed audit during my internship and was glad to accept a full-time offer after completing the internship. Auditing allows you to see the ‘whole picture’ of a business.  Instead of being stuck seeing the same accounting process transactions day in and day out, I’m always seeing and being challenged with something different from the day before.

“I was even lucky enough to be placed on one of the same clients with some of the same team members from my internship when I returned for full-time work.  This familiarity made for a smooth and enjoyable transition into a somewhat stressful occupation (especially coming into a busy third quarter review my first week on the job!).”

Smith credits her Southwesern experience for preparing her very well for her career.  In particular, she recognized Dr. John Delaney and Dr. Fred Sellars, accounting professors with whom she took the majority of her classes.

“They were always willing to extend a helping hand on difficult problems and challenge us to look deeper into accounting issues instead of taking a ‘by-the-book’ approach to accounting,” Smith explained. “Not only did the technical knowledge I learned in the classroom sufficiently prepare me, but additionally the emphasis on critical thinking, writing and communication skills has been immensely beneficial in the workplace.”

Smith hopes to remain with KPMG and apply another part of her liberal education - her Spanish major and intercultural experience - by taking part in global opportunities with the firm, including an international rotation. 

“Just in my first few weeks of work I was invited to attend the global new-hire training in Toronto along with other audit associates from the UK, Germany, South Africa, etc.,” Smith concluded.  “I’ve very much enjoyed my first few months with KPMG.”