From Side Hustle to Strategy: How an MPAc Builds Business and Accounting Skills

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“Do I want to be in accounting for the rest of my life?”

That was the question I started asking myself near the end of my undergraduate degree at UC Davis, even as someone holding a Big Four offer.

In my previous blog, I shared why I chose the UC Davis MPAc to focus on CPA preparation before starting my role at KPMG after I graduate in June. Since then, my perspective has expanded. I now see how the same accounting foundation that supports the CPA also gives me the structure to build and scale my own business.

Since I was young, I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit. In third grade, I traded duct tape wallets and Rainbow Loom bracelets for candy. In high school, I started a nonprofit selling handmade crafts.

At UC Davis, my entrepreneurial instinct hasn’t gone away—in fact, the campus’ resources, opportunities and ecosystem have further fueled my innovation mindset. I’m currently building a craft kit business and was recently accepted into PLASMA, a 12-week early-stage startup accelerator. I’ll be working with industry and peer mentors to scale the idea, with the goal of offering families a creative, screen-free alternative for learning and play. I’ll also be pitching at Demo Day this May.

Because of that background, I’ve never seen myself doing just one thing forever. Committing to accounting felt intimidating at first. What if I wanted to pivot? What if I wanted to build something of my own?

Ironically, that uncertainty is exactly why the UC Davis Master of Professional Accountancy made sense.

Accounting as a Foundation, Not a Limitation

As an Aggie undergrad, I earned my degree in managerial economics with a minor in accounting. One thing became clear to me: Every successful business has strong accounting roots.

Financial statements tell the story of a company. If you understand that story, not just how to prepare it, but how to analyze and question it, you understand how businesses truly operate.

My internship at KPMG reinforced that perspective. I saw firsthand how auditors work directly with companies to ensure accuracy, transparency and operational integrity. Accounting wasn’t just compliance, it was collaboration, problem-solving and strategic thinking.

That experience shifted my mindset. Accounting isn’t a narrow path. It’s a lens through which you can understand any industry.

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My mom always told me, “Every business needs an accountant.” 

That stuck with me. Whether you want to work in public accounting, industry, advisory, or eventually start your own company, accounting knowledge gives you leverage.

Lessons From Softball: Grit and Growth

I originally came to UC Davis to play Division I softball. It was a dream of mine. After two years, I stepped away from the sport, a difficult but necessary decision. Although my athletic career didn’t unfold as I imagined, it gave me something invaluable—grit.

Balancing Division I athletics with academics was one of the most mentally demanding experiences of my life. It taught me discipline, resilience and how to push through challenges even when outcomes are uncertain.

That mindset translates directly to both accounting and the MPAc program.

Advanced accounting coursework is rigorous. It demands precision and consistency, but that’s what trains you to think critically and pay attention to what others might miss.

What surprised me most wasn’t just the technical knowledge I gained; it was the confidence. I now feel far more comfortable discussing complex accounting issues, analyzing financial data and understanding the “why” behind what we do.

Why the MPAc Makes Sense For Career Changers and Early Professionals

It’s common to feel overwhelmed near the end of undergrad. So many students question whether they’re choosing the “right” path for the rest of their lives. The pressure to have everything figured out at 22-years-old can feel unrealistic.

That’s just one reason the MPAc program stands out to me. The cohort comes from a wide range of undergraduate majors and backgrounds. Some students are pivoting into accounting. Others, like me, are building on an existing foundation to accelerate their early careers.

The value of the MPAc can look different depending on where you’re starting:

Yes, the MPAc is an investment. But it’s also an opportunity to deepen your expertise, expand your network and continue exploring interests within a supportive academic environment like UC Davis.

So, Is an MPAc Worth It?

I still don’t know if I will be in accounting for the rest of my life. But I do know this: Understanding accounting gives me options.

It equips me to work in public accounting, contribute meaningfully in industry, advise businesses or build my own ventures with confidence. It has trained me to think critically, analyze thoroughly and approach problems with discipline.

A graduate accounting degree isn’t necessary for every path in accounting. But for career changers who want structure and credibility, and early professionals who want acceleration, it can be one of the highest-leverage investments in your career.

For me, it’s not about locking into one identity. It’s about building a foundation strong enough to support whatever direction I choose next.

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Mia Hildebrand (left) attends fellow MPAc student Katya Fomin’s concert (second from right). Both bring nontraditional paths into accounting through entrepreneurship and creativity, alongside MPAc classmates Emma Jolly and Claire Galerkin.