Brad Donahue

Growing up in a family of four boys, the competitive level grew with every chore in the house. Whether it was putting the dishes away or taking the garbage out, everything was a race. My older brother and I both ended up running track in high school. Dinners in my family constantly had comparatives between my brother and I trying to claim that one was faster than the other. At the end of the day, we are still a close family, with the competitive edge bringing us closer everyday and making us push each other to better ourselves.

One quote that I live by is, "Why start if you are not going to give it you all?" I think about this quote with everything I do. It drives me everyday to be the best at everything I can. For example, in my Finance class, we have a stock simulator we use. Though you only get extra credit for a certain number of trades, I have been determined to have the least amount of money in my account at the end of the semester. Even though there is no upside in "winning" this competition, I work hard at it everyday for myself. I motivate myself to make trades that will only impact my account for the better. Researching these companies sometimes takes hours, but the satisfaction of beating the 450 other students in the competition is enough for me.

Coming to college, I knew that I wanted to excel in the Accounting field. The past few years, I have worked hard day in and day out to understand information that I receive daily so that I may equip myself for a successful career. I have attended so many networking events in the past two months than I could even count. They have paid off as I have been selected for interviews with several highly prestigious and respected accounting firms.

What is my plan for once I get a job with a firm though?

I have pondered on the question many times in the past few months. Up until last week, I figured I would follow in the footsteps of many young CPA's and leave a firm after a few years to become a senior accounting for a public company. Then I thought, I want to be a partner. People say it is too hard physically and mentally to "stay in the game." To this I laugh and accept the challenge. I will be a partner for a public accounting firm or I will die trying.