When she found out she was admitted to the Vanderbilt MAcc program, Evelyn Diederich says, “the question of whether I was going to accept never crossed my mind. I understood that earning a master’s degree from this program would allow me to reach the credit-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam. More importantly, it would open many doors for me.”

Because she played on her undergraduate university’s volleyball team, the built-in internship opportunity with Vanderbilt was especially important. “Due to the demands of athletics, my summers were full of training and practicing,” Evelyn says. “I did not have an opportunity for internships, and getting this experience through the MAcc program was high on my priority list.”

While the chance to spend time away from campus interning with a prospective employer was a major draw for Evelyn, her experiences with her fellow students at Vanderbilt have stayed with her most. “My classmates in the program became my best friends,” she says. “They are a constant source of support and guidance, always willing to go above and beyond to help. And it isn’t just within the MAcc program; it’s everywhere at Owen.”

She cherishes her memories of the MAcc Christmas party, sand volleyball games, and watching with her classmates as Vanderbilt’s football team beat Alabama. “I think it’s important to prioritize getting to know your classmates here and spending time with them, both in this program and the other programs,” she says. “The friends I’ve made here will be friends for life, and you can learn so much from everyone else’s experiences.”

In addition to building lifelong relationships, Evelyn got what she came to Vanderbilt to obtain. An internship with Deloitte led to a full-time post-graduate position with the firm in the Kansas City area, where she grew up. “The challenging coursework, personalized guidance, valuable networking, and leadership-building experiences equipped me with a strong foundation,” she says, “and a competitive edge.”