School of Business Administration

When Chloe Nguyen arrived at the University of Dayton as a first-year accounting major, she never imagined she would one day confidently network with top accounting firms. “I was terrified,” she says of her first Meet the Firms, an accounting-focused career fair. It was her first event as a college student in her first semester. “I didn’t even know what to say to recruiters. I just stood back and watched other students talk.”

Fast forward one year, and Chloe is a sophomore with six pre-internship experiences under her belt, a summer 2026 internship with Plante Morgan secured, and a growing professional network. Her journey reflects not only her own growth mindset but also the supportive, hands-on approach that makes the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration (SBA) one of the top-ranked undergraduate business schools in the country. 

Launching Her Career with SBA’s Career Flight Plan

Ranked among the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Schools by Poets & Quants and 44th in the nation for career outcomes, the SBA equips students with a clear roadmap for success through its Career Flight Plan courses. Students gain practical tools for networking, interviewing, and building a personal brand — all while being paired with faculty micro-mentors and a professional career advisor who offers personalized guidance.

For Chloe, these resources gave her the confidence to go beyond the classroom and explore professional development opportunities early. “Our professors really care about your future,” she says. “Dr. Tim Keune, in particular, gave me incredible guidance and helped me understand the accounting field better.”

Six Pre-Internship Experiences that Built Confidence

While many first-year students wait until junior year for internships, Chloe discovered a series of short-term, high-impact experiences that allowed her to explore the accounting world and grow her professional skills. Within four months, Chloe successfully secured and completed six early leadership and career exploration opportunities.

 1. EY Expedition Program (Virtual)

This two-month virtual experience offered weekly professional events and curated content from one of the Big Four accounting firms. Chloe connected with students across the country and learned about emerging fields in accounting.

“I was nervous to even introduce myself at first,” Chloe recalls. “But I realized that initiating conversations, even online, gave me confidence. It was my first step outside my comfort zone.” 

2. Kirsch CPA Future Accountants Program (Hamilton, OH)

At Kirsch CPA’s 2-day program, Future Accountants Program, Chloe learned that auditing is about more than finding mistakes — it’s about understanding clients and their businesses.

“I realized that accountants have to fully immerse themselves in a company to represent them well," She said.

The experience also gave her clarity on career paths.

“Smaller firms let you work across many areas, while larger firms are more specialized. It helped me reflect on where I see myself in the future,” Chloe explained.

3. KSM Gateway Leadership Program (Cincinnati, OH)

Through Katz, Sapper and Miller’s (KSM) Gateway Leadership Program, Chloe completed a personality assessment that helped her better understand her strengths and how she works with others.

“I learned so much about myself — from the types of people I collaborate best with to what career paths might suit me,” she said.

4. Plante Moran Expo (Columbus, OH)

This two-day event was designed to create personal connections. Chloe had one-on-one mentoring sessions with firm leaders.

“Our conversation felt so genuine,” Chloe says. “I left feeling like I had someone in my corner cheering me on. They also invested in our growth with fun activities like team trivia and building bikes for charity.”

5. Clark Schaefer Hackett Leadership Program (Cincinnati, OH)

This program blended social networking — including a Cincinnati Reds game — with professional development workshops.

“We talked about building a personal brand and what makes a positive workplace culture,” Chloe said. “It felt less intimidating and more like building friendships.”

6. PwC Career Preview (Orlando, FL)

Chloe’s most transformative experience came with PwC, where she joined 700 students nationwide. One of the key takeaways from the program was  a professional storytelling workshop.

“I was the only student from UD — surrounded by people from universities like Yale and Harvard — but I learned to push myself and start conversations,” she says. “Storytelling is such a powerful skill in interviews, and I learned how to craft and share my own story.”

A Growth Mindset in Action

Chloe’s confidence didn’t come overnight. “I’ve always had a positive attitude, but I was very introverted,” she says. “I had to push myself to talk to people. Now, I go into events with the mindset: What can I learn? How can I grow?”

Through Career Flight Plan courses, TED Talk inspiration, and real-world practice, Chloe learned to focus on building genuine connections rather than worrying about making mistakes.

“Opportunities don’t just happen; you have to look for them. If you ask questions and show curiosity, people want to help you,” she says.

Why She Chose the University of Dayton

Chloe credits UD’s close-knit community and hands-on learning opportunities with helping her thrive.

“The SBA’s faculty micro-mentors and advisors know you personally. At larger schools, I don’t think I would’ve stood out or built these relationships,” she says. “Here, people genuinely want you to succeed.”

Discover Your Path at UD

Chloe’s journey — from nervous freshman to confident young professional — is just one example of how UD’s SBA empowers students to succeed. With nationally ranked programs, real-world learning experiences, and a culture of mentorship, the SBA helps students like Chloe launch their careers with confidence.