Kyle McGillvray

My name is Kyle McGillvray and I am a junior accounting major here in the Isenberg School of Management. Over my time here in Amherst, I have come to a conclusion that one thing that I am extremely passionate about bettering myself. Although this is a very broad thing to be passionate about, I feel that it gives me the ability to apply it to a wide range of things in my life. Rather than one specific topic, this passion is a sort of framework that allows me to pursue it and apply to multiple aspects in my life. My time at Isenberg has allowed me to grow more than I would’ve ever imagined. This is the first area where I try to better myself, interpersonal relationships. This is the most important aspect in my life and one of the most important in the business world. Relationships are what gets you interviews and job offers and the ability to talk and engage people correctly is imperative in today’s business environment. Other areas that I strive to improve are my “hard skills”, which is to refer to my actual physical abilities. As important as it is to be a good communicator, it is also extremely important to know what you’re doing and how to do it correctly. I’ve done this through my courses here at UMass and from learning in the “real world.” One of the things that I've done here that I am most proud of is my position as a teaching assistance for the Dean's Leadership Seminar (also known as Transitions.) My role as the TA is to teach a class of 20 freshman about Isenberg, UMass, and their future position in the business world. I will be interning with Grant Thornton LLP in the financial district of Boston this summer and hope to use the skills (soft and hard) that I have learned here during the time at GT.

Outside of the classroom, I love to watch just about any sport (especially if a team from Boston/New England is involved.) My favorite thing to do is make people laugh which ironically usually happens at my expense. I worked the past four summers at a golf course and have found a new love for golfing, especially when I am with my dad. My experiences have shaped me into the person I am today and will lead me into future situations. I aspire to be a Certified Public Accountant and want to learn about the business world. After that I would love to study more and become a professor.

"Smooth seas don't make skillful sailors"