Building a future defined by connection and purpose
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— “What excites me the most about accounting is the varied job opportunities available in any industry you can dream about working in,” says senior Western Michigan University accountancy student Michael Andres from Kalamazoo, Michigan. “From working in tax, to audit and assurance, to forensic accounting and more, there are a vast number of choices to ensure an exciting and rewarding career.”
Having applied to WMU right after high school, Andres had hopes of becoming a band director. While he was accepted into the school of music, his grades were not good enough to be admitted to the university itself. After working for a few years, Andres decided he wanted to receive a college education, so he pursued his associate's degree in business administration from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. With encouragement from the faculty at KVCC, Andres decided his next step was to obtain his bachelor’s degree in accounting from WMU.
“At first, the thought of attending WMU intimidated me because I have vision impairments and was concerned about being in a large lecture hall and having difficulty learning the material. But I talked to a recruiter at WMU Haworth who assured me that most of the classrooms were small classrooms and I felt I was ready to give WMU a chance—and I am glad that I did. The faculty and staff have been very supportive of my academic journey and making sure I am successful.”
Andres’s involvement in co-curricular activities has provided both community and academic growth. “I feel it is important for a student’s personal and career development to join a registered student organization and have the opportunity to make new connections,” he says. “I am currently a member of the Accounting Club, Beta Alpha Psi, and NABA Inc., which has created a welcoming atmosphere for me. People will stop me in the hallways to ask how I’m doing or to see how my day is going—sometimes we need those little interludes to deal with the rigors of college life.”
Andres had the opportunity to participate in the Global Sustainability Accounting and Reporting in Ireland study abroad trip during which he had the chance to learn about a different culture and concepts that are important to global business. Next year, he hopes to participate in a business study abroad program in either Germany or Poland to broaden his knowledge base and intercultural experience.
While his college path has looked different than others, Andres appreciates all that WMU has to offer any student.
“The irony of my story is that I was not accepted into the university when I was in high school due to not having good grades. But now, not only am I a full-time student at WMU, I am also a proud member of the Lee Honors College. You never know where life will take you, or what surprises are ahead of you. I strongly feel that you are never too old to learn, even if you have barriers that make the learning process challenging. You just have to hold your head high and keep powering through! The rewards of your hard work are more than worth it, and your time at WMU will be unforgettable.”
Learn more about accountancy at WMU.
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