Five Lessons From My First Weeks in the UC Davis MPAc Program

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By Andrea Hillmer with Espy Foft 

At my first professional networking event as a college freshman undergraduate student, I was terrified. I hadn’t prepared, and I barely spoke to anyone.

Starting the UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s Master of Professional Accountancy program helped me approach those conversations differently. Within the first few weeks, Career Boot Camp gave me opportunities to practice introductions, prepare for interviews and meet accounting professionals before Meet the Firms in early September.

Here are five lessons I’m taking with me:

Preparation makes the first conversation easier. 

During boot camp, we heard from representatives of Big Four, midsize and smaller accounting firms, many of whom were MPAc alumni. By the time Meet the Firms came around, I recognized people and could ask about something they had shared in a presentation. Mock interviews with professors also gave me practice before speaking with employers.

Networking is a skill you build with practice.

Relationships grow through repeated conversations and follow-ups. 

I met an MPAc alumnus working at Deloitte during an MPAc-hosted site visit, heard him present during boot camp and saw him again at Meet the Firms.  

Each interaction made it easier to ask questions and seek advice. Following up helped me continue conversations with other contacts, several of which have since led to interviews.  

Staying connected matters even when you choose another opportunity: A recruiter I kept in touch with on LinkedIn after an earlier internship search was someone I reconnected with at Meet the Firms two years later.

Seeing the same people over time made networking feel less like a transaction and more like a friendship.

Current students can help you picture yourself in a program. 

As a UC Davis managerial economics major with an accounting minor, I learned about the MPAc program from my teaching assistants. Their willingness to answer questions helped me consider whether the program fit my goals.

I wanted to earn a graduate degree and move toward CPA eligibility, and I preferred to focus on school rather than combine work and study.  

Hearing from students helped me see how the UC Davis MPAc program could fit my goals.

Teaching helps me build skills beyond accounting. 

Through the MPAc program, I have the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate managerial accounting course. Leading discussions helps me develop the soft skills accounting firms value, including public speaking, communication and mentoring. I’m learning to explain concepts clearly and feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group. 

As a TA, I give back by supporting students who are where I was just a few years ago.

Find your people—and make time to prepare. 

Orientation gave my classmates and me time to build friendships before classes started. Seeing familiar faces makes group projects less intimidating and helps me stay motivated. Graduate school also requires more preparation before class and dedicated time to review afterward. I’m learning to plan my week differently while adjusting to the pace of an accelerated program.

Being surrounded by classmates who want to learn as much as I do helps me stay motivated.

My advice for anyone nervous about reaching out is to find common ground and connect with people whose experiences interest you. You don’t have to contact everyone or get everything right on your first try.

I’m still early in my MPAc experience, but I already feel more comfortable starting conversations and asking for advice. Having classmates going through the same transition—and alumni who remember being in our shoes—has made a difference.

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