Name: Dillon Barclay
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
MPA track: Generalist
Class status: TMPA
Graduation date:Spring 2018

Why did you choose the MPA program?
McCombs has exactly what I was looking for in a graduate level accounting program, a large peer network, top level recruiting opportunities, professional faculty and the ability to customize my education to fit my goals.

What do you look forward to most about your MPA experience?
I most look forward to landing a spot in a rewarding career, where I can finally put all of my education into action.

What have you been doing since you received your undergraduate degree?
Since my undergraduate degree, I worked through a tax season and then took some time off to mentally prepare for graduate school and fall recruiting.

What led you to accounting?
Accounting for me just always made sense. I like working within structure and the framework of accounting has prepared me with an excellent foundation for a career in business. I feel that it provides the widest reach of opportunities and advancement.

What advice do you have for students interested in the MPA program?
I would recommend two things once you know you want to do a graduate accounting program. First, make sure you know what you want in a school before applying. Match your top considerations with what schools offer, even some of the most expensive schools may not be a fit for your specific needs. Second, look behind the scenes for information during your application experience. For example, take note of how streamline the process is and how friendly, receptive and responsive the faculty is, how many advisors does the school have for your program? You might not find all of these things on the website, though they will have the biggest impact on your experience.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the MPA lounge, it may not be the most productive, but it gives me a moment to catch up with the other students in the program and build some new connections!

Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
Where do I even begin? Austin is such a cool place. My favorite things so far have been paddle boarding on the river south of campus, watching the bats at sunset, and meeting up with my wife and friends each week at a new place to eat. The food here is amazing!