I’m Makaia Almeida, a sophomore in the 3+1 program at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. I’m about to enter my junior year, with a major in accounting and a minor in management. I am also a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
This summer, I expect to intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms in the nation. One of my key responsibilities will be to contribute to the work of a problem-solving team that seeks resolutions to complicated business issues—from the strategies needed to identify issues to the methods required to implement remedies. It will be a seven-week internship, during which I will also work on pro bono cases while absorbing all I can about the ins and outs of professional accounting from the skilled individuals who work there and can share a real-world perspective on what it's like to work at such a distinguished firm.
I credit my accounting classes at UHart with my ability to obtain this valuable internship. The more of them I take, the more certain I am in my decision to major in the field. I am aware that many students regret their choice of major—or change it several times. I am fortunate to be completely satisfied with mine. I am also grateful for the advice and encouragement I have received from my professors, particularly about the internship. In truth, I had been in full panic mode when I received an email confirming my intern interview, but a quick chat with my accounting professor/advisor gave me the confidence I needed to move forward.
I truly appreciate the attentiveness and responsiveness of the entire UHart/Barney staff. When I'm stressed about anything at all, or have questions on a particular subject, talking with my instructors and advisor always makes me feel better. They help me figure things out, fill in the gaps, and give me useful advice on what classes to take, how to improve my networking, and much more.
My goal is to take the CPA exam and become a Certified Public Accountant after graduation. I hope to work for an accounting firm—perhaps PwC, perhaps another—and work my way up to a managerial position. One option, and an exciting one at that, may be to start my own firm.
Here is some advice I am happy to share with newcomers to the college experience—tips I wish I had known before I started at UHart. First, begin working on your résumé right away. It is essentially a printed version of who you are and tells others who you are. As you progress through your academic career, keep adding to your resume. Secondly, speak with your advisor as often as necessary. He or she can assist you with virtually every concern you have. Finally, network constantly. It is an essential component. UHart provides a variety of networking opportunities, such as etiquette dinners, guest lecturers, and other events. Take advantage of it all. In fact, my internship came about as a result of networking with a PwC employee.
Also, remember to breathe. It can be stressful trying to figure out your life during these four busy years, so don't try to figure it all out at once. Take your time. Explore different classes. Try to assess what you would like to do in the future. Most importantly, live in the moment and soak it all in.
Makaia Almeida ’23, M’24, Accounting Major, Barney School of BusinessWhat I appreciate most about the UHart/Barney experience is how attentive and responsive the faculty and staff members are. When I'm stressed about anything or have a lot of questions about a subject, the communication with my instructors and advisors always makes me feel better. They help me figure out what my end goals are and fill in the gaps in my path—whether it's recommending classes to take or networking advice.