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Cassidy Kosena is a recent graduate of the Masters of Accountancy (MACC) program at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. She originally chose Carroll to continue her education after receiving an athletic scholarship for basketball and because, she explains, the school was close to home:
I was born and raised right here in Montana, a few hours away from Helena, in Kalispell. I spent my college career playing basketball for the Saints and working at the Carroll Business office in an internship for about a year.
In her free time (when she has free time, she emphasizes), Cassidy enjoys being with family and traveling.
I got married in August, and we have the cutest little boy, Brett! I love chasing him around as well as spending time with our families in Missoula and Great Falls. We love to travel and eat good food!
Cassidy and her family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska this summer. There, she tells us, they’re excited to begin a new adventure.
So, why accounting? For Cassidy, the career choice was inspired by a high school accounting teacher. She was won over by the organization and practicality that the field is known for, and because it’s a discipline of “right and wrong answers.” In her words, “it instantly clicked.” As a college student, her passion for the subject hasn’t changed.
[Although] I am undecided in my professional career as far as specifically what I want to be, I am confident in my love of the field and I’ll find something very suited to my personality. Working with Gleim will be the first step in the right direction [. . .] I love Carroll because of the friendships I made and I also met my amazing husband. The accounting program was easy to enjoy [because] my professors really took the time to get to know me and took an interest in me and my success.
Cassidy first heard of the Gleim Campus Rep program through an accounting professor at Carroll, whose MACC program incorporates Gleim online study materials in the classroom. Because she was already using and enjoying Gleim materials through her graduate program, she was excited to find out that she could earn a complete review course for free. After joining the Campus Rep program, though, she discovered even more benefits.
I soon realized the support and help is priceless [. . .] My favorite part is the constant communication and, of course, the support via materials and through [my coordinator] Sarah.
Cassidy tells us that the greatest challenge of her accounting experience so far has mainly been deciding whether to take the CPA Exam or to focus on the CMA. Either way, she is looking forward to the end result.
Studying has become something of a game of keep-up, in more ways than one. As a graduate student and a new mother, Cassidy has specific study strategies and advice for other students.
I like to study at home at my desk as soon as my son goes to sleep. I usually get in 2-3 hours a night. It is a perfect time to relax from chasing him around all day! [. . .] My advice would be to choose an exam and get studying. I have put it off for a year and even though I am studying, I feel out of the loop.
Getting off to a good start is important for anyone on any path, not just accountants. It’s something that has contributed to Cassidy’s success, and something that continues to inspire her, especially now.
My son motivates me so much. I want to give him the world, and Gleim is helping me achieve my goals to help my family in the long run.
