By Catherine Diakou, Staff Writer
With the graduation of the Manhattan College class of 2024 around the corner, the senior class reminisces on their time on campus, and looks to the future to see what’s next in their individual paths.
William Connors, Accounting B.A.
The Quadrangle: How do you feel about graduation being so close?
William Connors: It’s definitely a little scary. It really went quickly but I’m excited. I definitely have mixed emotions, sad to go but also excited for the future and the rest of life.
TQ: How did your experience at Manhattan College help you make the decisions that led to these accomplishments?
WC: The professors here were great, I’ve had plenty of network opportunities through Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Society and the School of Business. That’s actually how I got my job at Andersen, by networking with professionals from the firm. So I owe it all to Manhattan College.
TQ: Were there any teachers or classes in particular that influenced your decision to join the field you’re in?
WC: Definitely. The accounting department here at Manhattan College is amazing. All of the professors really have had an impact on me. Most notably, Amanda Sanseverino, she taught my first accounting class accounting 201 and Mary Michel. She taught me cost accounting, and she actually pushed me to get more involved on campus, she gave me the recommendation of Beta Alpha Psi and the Accounting Society so that really drove me in the right direction.
TQ: Do you have any advice for younger students here?
WC: Definitely get involved, work hard, and put the effort in where it counts. I’ve seen many people, many different classes kind of phone it in and not put the work in and they just barely got by but missed out on so much or just didn’t put the effort in to network and meet professionals and they’re suffering for it later down the line. So definitely put the work in and put the effort in.
Mikayla Brown, Public Health B.A.
The Quadrangle: How do you feel about graduation being so close?
Mikayla Brown: It’s very bittersweet and I’m very excited. Especially because as a 2020 high school grad, I didn’t really have a graduation so I’m excited that there’s a ceremony and everything, but at the same time, I’m very sad to be leaving MC.
TQ: What are your plans after graduation?
MB: I am going to Boston University online for a master’s program, in communications for health promotion, media and marketing. Two of my three roommates are graduating with me and we just signed a lease for an apartment in Brooklyn.
TQ: How would you say your experience at Manhattan College helped you decide to go into the field you’re going into?
MB: When I first came to college, I wasn’t originally majoring in health, I was an education major my first year and found my way and decided that teaching wasn’t for me. I’m grateful that a lot of people took the time to speak to me over the summer when I was figuring things out. [I had] Phone calls with three different people to plan the rest of my three years here. So I’m very grateful that Manhattan College has professors that care.
TQ: Do you have any advice that you would give younger students here?
MB: I would say to enjoy every moment and be as outgoing as you possibly can be. My freshman year was a little bit different because it was still during COVID and not everybody lived on campus and things like that, but I was very to myself, and I regret it so much. Sophomore year is when I really came out of my shell and I met my best friends, but if I had one more year, I would say to really put yourself out there, join clubs even if you only go to one meeting. Just go, do everything that you possibly can.
Kevin McGoldrick, Accounting B.A.
The Quadrangle: How do you feel about graduation being so close?
Kevin McGoldrick: It’s bittersweet, it’s been four years here, I’m finally done. But also it’s like, oh man, I have to leave now. Go on to the next chapter, which is real life. There’s no more school after this.
TQ: What are your plans for after graduation?
KM: Well, I know I just said there’s no more school after this, but I’m going to St. John’s for a master’s in accounting, to do the CPA exam. So that’s the next step, one more year of school and that’s it.
TQ: How did your experience at Manhattan College help you decide that accounting is what you wanted to do?
KM: I would say it kind of worked out because I came into school freshman year. I didn’t really have a major. I just knew I wanted to work in business and try something in the business school. I spent the first semester of freshman year trying to figure out what I wanted to do, such as accounting. The professors here, some of them are not here anymore, but they really guided me along the steps to become a real accountant. Then the school really helped out with getting an internship, so I figured out exactly what I wanted to do. It was just a matter of how to get there.
TQ: What advice would you give to younger students?
KM: Take your time deciding what you want to do because there’s a lot of stuff out there. It’s hard to pick. So if it takes all four years to know what you want to do, then great things take time.
Liam Rayder, Marketing B.A.
The Quadrangle: How do you feel about graduation being so close?
Liam Rayder: Scared, but equal parts excited.
TQ: What are your plans for after graduation?
LR: Nothing lined up yet but applying to a lot, hoping I don’t have to make pizza again. Maybe it’s time to retire, switch it up a little bit.
TQ: How did your experience at Manhattan College help you decide what you wanted to do?
LR: Originally, when I came in, I was doing mechanical engineering. It wasn’t for me, I wanted to do something with art, so I was like, I guess I will go to art school, but I needed to build up a portfolio. So until then, I decided I’ll just do marketing, that was sophomore year, but then I met all my friends and my girlfriend and I got a little distracted and I fell in love with the school.
TQ: What advice would you give to newer students?
LR: I’d say I wish I had embraced it more, I wish I went to a lot more clubs. I love hanging out with everybody and meeting people, but the best way to do it, I think, is really just going to events and clubs.
Morgan Schuyler, Finance B.A.
The Quadrangle: How do you feel about graduation being so close?
Morgan Schuyler: All of the above, but also kind of wildly excited.
TQ: What are your plans for after graduation?
MS: I’m going to be working at a law firm, which does not relate to the finance field, so that’ll be interesting. It’s somewhat related but not what I expected. I’m excited I have something, so that starts in the summer and I’ll be living around this area.
TQ: How did your experience at Manhattan College help you decide what you wanted to do?
MS: I had a really good experience sophomore year when I had to declare my major. I was between marketing and finance. And so I spoke to some of my favorite professors and talked about it; talked about what I expected and what I wanted. That helped me move towards finance. I got this current job through the assistant dean in the business school. So I’ve been really lucky, I’ve learned how to use the connections somehow. It just has worked out for me.
TQ: What advice would you give to newer students?
MS: I’d suggest to newer students to find a pack of friends, I’ve had a lot of different friend circles, but I’ve remained true to the same core people. There have been times where things have gotten a little cuckoo banana pants and I’m very thankful I’ve had them.