Name: Kayla Kimrey
Hometown:  San Marcos, TX
MPA track: Tax
Class status: iMPA 5^th year
Graduation date: May 2018

Why did you choose the MPA program?
I enjoyed my introductory accounting courses and wanted to pursue a challenging field. The MPA program is the #1 program in the nation so I decided to apply to explore the opportunity to get my masters.

 What do you look forward to most about your MPA experience?
I look forward to beginning to take the CPA exams in the spring semester to apply all my knowledge from the program. This will test my experience and review all the accounting concepts I have learned through my last 3 years in the program.

 What have you been doing since you received your undergraduate degree?
This summer I was a research assistant for Professor Schmidt. I learned about academic research and was able to assist her on many of her research projects in all phases of the publishing cycle. This included doing research for brainstorming, helping revise editors’ comments, and reading through academic papers.

What led you to accounting?
I have always liked math because there is usually only one right answer; it is objective. I also enjoy a challenge and solving puzzles. When I first learned about balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flows, I saw it as a really big puzzle all fitting together to understand businesses.

 What advice do you have for students interested in the MPA program?
My advice is during your introductory accounting courses, see if you are interested in accounting. I found that the best way to judge if I wanted to pursue something was by taking a class in the subject. I decided to do accounting, the MPA program, and the taxation track all by taking classes while thinking, ‘Do I want to learn more about this subject?’

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is probably South Mall in front of the tower because you can see the Capital and the tower. Also, it has shade on the sides of the lawn. I love walking by South Mall every day.

Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
My favorite place to go in Austin is Zilker Park because I can sit and look at the skyline while playing with other people’s dogs. Also, I liked to run on the trail around the lake, which is right next to Zilker Park. Another one of my favorite things to do is to stand-up paddleboard on the lake during the hot summers. This is a fun way to work out and be on the water.

Name: Sarah Childers
Hometown: N/A I’ve moved 12 times! I’ve lived in England, Belgium, Germany, Texas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and South Carolina!
MPA track: Generalist
Class status: 3^rd year iMPA
Graduation date: BBA 2019, MPA 2020

Why did you choose the MPA program?
I loved the idea of getting my CPA certification before I started working, that way I wouldn’t have to study after work! Also, I was really intrigued by some of the MBA electives I would be eligible to take.

What do you look forward to most about your MPA experience?
Studying abroad next summer in Prague or Buenos Aires! I can’t wait!!

What led you to accounting?
An accounting class in high school sparked my interest, but I complete an accounting internship the summer after my freshman year to validate myself. Further, I really enjoyed accounting when I was able to take 311 with Professor Smith and 312 with Dean Platt!

What advice do you have for students interested in the MPA program?
Talk to your professors! They have great stories and amazing experiences to share. They’re your built-in mentorship system.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
I love swimming in the outdoor Gregory Gym pool and studying in the PCL computer lab!

Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
Lake Travis. I love to go scuba diving at Windy Point. There’s a shipwreck and a sunken toilet!

Name: Minorie Vaidya
Hometown:  Flower Mound, Texas
MPA track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Class status: 3^rd year
Graduation date: May 2020

Why did you choose the MPA program?
UT was always my top choice – when such a highly ranked business school is so close to home, you can’t beat it! After taking all of my introductory classes, I found that I enjoyed ACC 311 with Professor Charrier the most. After completing a few internships, both small and large, in different accounting roles, I found that I really liked that there is such a diverse variety of future career opportunities for accounting majors, specifically CPAs. Of course, the #1 ranking of the MPA program was also a great motivator!

What do you look forward to most about your MPA experience?
I look forward to working, academically and professionally, with an incredibly smart and talented community of peers. Even in my first semester in the program, I am already seeing familiar faces in multiple classes and it makes working through the tough classes a lot easier! I also look forward to graduating with an extremely valuable and rewarding MPA degree so I can hopefully land a spot at a top firm!

What led you to accounting?
No matter what you do in the business world, you have to understand basic accounting concepts in order to succeed. Not only is there an abundance of prospects in this field, there is also great flexibility in tracks and future career opportunities! After taking all of the intro classes, I found that I liked ACC 311 and 312 the most and I had great professors to learn from and use as resources.

What advice do you have for students interested in the MPA program?
Talk to students in the program to get a feel for the different types of tracks, recruiting opportunities, and career resources!

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The UT Architecture Library – it looks like Hogwarts!

Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
I love visiting the Texas Capitol building – it’s awesome that we have such an amazing historical building just a few blocks away from campus.

Name: Rachel Chen
Hometown:  Lake Tahoe, Nevada
MPA track: iMPA – Financial reporting and assurance (audit)
Class status: 4^th year
Graduation date: May 2019

Why did you choose the MPA program?
It is one of the best programs in the country and it offers a unique education but also opens many doors in terms of career selection.

What do you look forward to most about your MPA experience?
The opportunities MPA and McCombs have to offer in terms of recruiting and preparing for the real world is something to look forward to. The program does a wonderful job grooming us into young professionals for exceptional jobs.

What led you to accounting?
I knew I wanted to do something in business but Accounting 311 with Steve Smith really pushed me towards pursuing a career in accounting.

What advice do you have for students interested in the MPA program?
Work hard but also remember to take in the whole college experience. Participate in activities and organizations that help build your network and personal connections.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
On a nice day, the tables outside of Gregory Gym.

Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
I love hanging out on South Congress and any place that has good Tex Mex.

Name: Aris Sevastianos
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
MPA track: Financial Reporting & Assurance
Class status: 3^rd Year
Graduation date: May 2020

Why did you choose the MPA program?
Coming from Missouri, I can confidently attest that the MPA program here is extremely reputable. The alumni that I’ve spoken to both in high school and during my time at UT have always had the best things to say about the program, and suggested that I give it a look. After taking my first two accounting classes during my sophomore year, I knew this was the right program for me. Now as a student, I’ve been able to explore multiple avenues in a variety of industries, all while taking classes with top professors in an engaging classroom environment. If anything else, earning a master’s degree in five years from a #1 program is pretty efficient.

What do you look forward to most about your MPA experience?
Definitely recruiting – many firms throughout the world constantly hire Texas MPA students; being able to get valuable exposure to these firms, their clientele, and the cities in which they operate is an exciting time to discover your passions for a full-time career.

What activities have you been involved in outside of school?
I’ve been able to get involved in a variety of opportunities and organizations since coming to UT. In June 2016, I joined a UT student-run peer-to-peer tutoring startup called @Top Tier Learning. As CFO, I expanded our company to eight states and sixteen branches, strategically restructured our pricing structure, established our philanthropic partnership with Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and raised and allocated capital for our mobile app. Outside of Top Tier Learning, I am involved in Texas IFC as Director of Philanthropy, Orthodox Christian Fellowship as Vice President, Delta Tau Delta, and Delta Sigma Pi. Whenever I get the chance to go back home, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing pick-up soccer with my high school friends.

What led you to accounting?
I’ve always been strong with math and organization; the field just seemed naturally fitting.

What advice do you have for students interested in the MPA program?
Talk to upperclassmen and professors; their insight is unparalleled. They’re by far the best resource for learning about what to expect from the program. I guarantee they’ll be more than eager to share their experiences in and out of the classroom with you.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Definitely McCombs – although the building can seem serious and intimidating, it’s a much smaller community than you think. It’s always fun to run into friends between classes or during a study break.

Where are your favorite places to go and favorite things to do in Austin?
My favorite types of US cities are those that cleverly integrate both urbanism and nature into their communities; Austin lives by this idea incredibly well. Given that, I love going downtown to kayak or run along the trails next to Town Lake. I also love healthy ethnic food, which isn’t hard to find around here. Side note, however, I’m still yet to come across some Greek food and am open to any suggestions. Craving a fat souvlaki at the moment…