In college, Madison Hari worked part time for an estate law firm. Her positive experience led her to plan on law school after graduation. But as she worked more with the CPAs at the firm, her career aspirations changed. Instead of pursuing law, she decided to pursue a graduate degree in accounting.

Growing up in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood, Madison already knew about Vanderbilt, and when a family friend told her about the MAcc program, she was drawn to the opportunity to earn her degree, pass the CPA exam, and land a job in the span of one calendar year. 

As that year unfolded, Madison particularly liked the way everything progressed, step by step. “During the beginning of the program,” she says, “we were able to meet with professionals at the Big Four accounting firms and really ask them questions about what they do and what opportunities there would be for us as we start our career. And then we went through an interview process where we were able to get to know them even more. And then the actual internship happened about halfway through the program, and we were able to get to know the people in those specific offices.”

Even more than the design of the program, what Madison came to appreciate most were the people around her. “I learned a lot from my peers through group work, Closing Bells [a great opportunity to network with students in other programs at Owen], and social events,” she says. “Being around other students with similar goals and mindsets as you is a powerful thing.” 

That goes double, Madison says, for her female colleagues in the program. Women comprised half of her MAcc class, she notes, and the Women’s Business Association at Owen enabled her to make connections with females in other programs. “I feel better prepared to succeed as a businesswoman because of the influential women I’ve met over the course of the year,” she says. “It makes me feel capable and encouraged to have confidence in my abilities as I step into my career.”

Fun Fact: Madison was the school mascot at her undergraduate university. 

I feel better prepared to succeed as a businesswoman because of the influential women I’ve met over the course of the year.