After she studied abroad in China and completed an internship there as an undergraduate, Lilly Schneider knew she wanted to work in international business. She also perceived that, while she loved majoring in finance, “accounting is the key to understanding the business world.”

To her, the Vanderbilt MAcc program “provided a space for me to learn more about careers that combined both fields while also providing a world-class education that will allow me to succeed in whatever path I choose.”

Lilly credits the curriculum and internship experience with helping prepare her for a career at a Big Four accounting firm. She believes the MAcc program propelled her in other valuable directions, too.

First, she says, “The program helped me rediscover my passion for law and policy through the Business Law course I took.” Now, she is looking to pursue a law degree after spending a few years establishing herself in public accounting.

Second, she adds, “Vanderbilt has given me the additional confidence to speak out, challenge assumptions, and not be afraid to ask for what I want. The valuation field has very few women, and during my internship, there was only one other woman in my office of 20 people. I always felt welcomed by my team, but Vanderbilt helped me to feel like I had the academic background to be able to engage in intellectual discussions and ask pointed questions.”

In fact, during her Mod 3 internship, Lilly was confident enough to ask for opportunities to get involved with the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. After speaking with both a partner and with KPMG’s Chief DEI Officer, she was invited to join a DEI team for the Southeast region. “I even gave a presentation on my Native American background and issues the Native community faces,” she says. “As a full-time employee, I will work with the Chief DEI Officer to increase recruiting efforts for Native students. This was a highlight of my internship, and it started with simply sending an email.”

Fun Fact: Lilly has served as an intern for the mayor of Denver (her hometown), the governor of Colorado, and in the U.S. Senate.

Vanderbilt helped me to feel like I had the academic background to be able to engage in intellectual discussions and ask pointed questions.