Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
As a 20-year-old senior accounting student, I interned with a local CPA firm. That opportunity turned into my first full-time position after graduation.
After a few years, I switched firms to specialize in audits of non-profits. Bigger city. Bigger firm.
Being on the road as an auditor wasn't the right fit for my young and growing family. Someone's schedule had to change. I returned to college for my K-12 teaching certification.
I taught at the secondary level while pursuing my MBA, hoping to get a teaching position at a small college.
Taught as an adjunct professor at a small liberal arts college and loved it. They offered me a full-time position but I dreamed of finishing the terminal degree and working for a larger institution.
Left my Rank-I tenured teaching job to pursue my Ph.D. It wasn't easy.
Struggled all the way through the program, but had the support of my cohorts and the faculty at UK. I left the program as an ABD.
I suffered a pretty devastating loss and some medical issues early in my post-secondary career. After a two-year leave of absence, my current university (TN Tech) gave me another shot.
Keep following my journey

Education

High School
Bachelor
Accounting
Morehead State University
Graduate
Accounting and Business/Management
Morehead State University
Doctorate
Business Administration (Accounting)
University of Kentucky
Certification/License
MAT - Business Education
Morehead State University

Career

Assistant Professor of Accounting

I lead students as they prepare for careers in auditing, accounting, management, and financial analysis.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Education
Teaching / Mentoring

Day to Day

My day is divided between class preparation, grading, instruction, service, and independent research. There is no clock to punch or quota to fill. I direct my own time. Some of my working day is used for reading, reflection, and thought. Interacting with students is definitely the highlight of my day.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

Attend the events held by the accounting department / school at your university. Don't stop there. Attend professional meetings in the area. Practice elevator pitches, small talk, and interviewing skills. However, don't spend all of your time networking for the sake of getting something out of it. Take a genuine interest in the professionals that you meet along the way. Build honest relationships with them.

Recommended Education

My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:

undergrad
Bachelor
Accounting & Math/Economics
graduate
Graduate
Accounting
doctorate
Doctorate
Accounting

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"Those who can—do; those who can't—teach."