Entering the University of Hartford as an undecided major, Mara Lynn ‘23, currently an accounting major and management minor, was exposed to an endless stream of career path options. “That has been the most difficult part of being at UHart is being exposed to so many great ideas, opportunities, and occupations – it has made it a problem, a GOOD problem…”. The variety of courses offered granted Mara Lynn the time to discover which careers she was most passionate about.
Internship Experience
Mara Lynn’s academic commitment has opened many doors for her. During the Summer of 2021, she was successfully chosen to intern for PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), one of the big four accounting firms. This is an extremely valuable position. She explains, “They accept only 2% of applicants… over 90% of interns received full-time offers”. Due to her notable work ethic, Mara Lynn was rewarded with a second internship as an Advanced Start- External Audit the following Summer.
Extracurriculars
Much of Mara Lynn’s free time was spent as a member of clubs such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The Hidden Opponent, and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). On top of this, she is a committed member of the Women's softball team. She stresses the importance of creating a healthy balance between social and academic activities to create the best university experience for herself. She explains, “Keeping that balance kept me happy…And part of that balance is keeping fit, eating well, and getting the proper amount of sleep. Overall, find what makes you happy and pursue it!”.
Post-Graduation
After Mara Lynn graduates with her degree, she is interested in pursuing her master’s in business and eventually sitting for her CPA exam. However, her long-term goal is to travel back home to Michigan and work full-time for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She also mentions how the Barney school has sparked so many different interests for her, so she sought an interest in business law and may even consider law school.
Mara Lynn Sczecienski ‘23, Barney School of BusinessGoing to college is a wonderful experience. I have made friends, future business contacts, and relationships for the rest of my life… Keeping that balance kept me happy. Keeping strong relationships with family and friends is also important. They are there to lift you up when you need them, and to share your successes. And part of that balance is keeping fit, eating well, and getting the proper amount of sleep. Overall, find what makes you happy and pursue it! The University of Hartford is the perfect place to find yourself and what you want.