Michelle Pedicone

My time at Drexel University introduced me to many inspirational people. My freshman year at Drexel, I had a work-study job with my first inspirational person: Christie Ruggieri '13, '18. Christie was a Drexel student too, but a couple years older. When I met Christie, she was the president of Circle K — the college edition of the Kiwanis Club. She talked about her classes, activities in Philadelphia, and the various service activities she did with Circle K. That fall term, I joined Christie at a Circle K meeting. I signed up for Rubye’s Kids Holiday Party at Girard College. This event gave me an opportunity to ride SEPTA’s El and Broad Street line for the first time while exploring a new part of the city.

The advice my coworkers provided shaped my remaining quarters at Drexel. I became focused on fulfilling the college credit requirement and planning my testing strategy.

While I was participating in Circle K, I met another influencer: Isabel Buckner '14. This hard-working lady was part of Gamma Sigma Sigma, a community service-based sorority. Isabel was integral in me joining GammaSig that spring. She was also the one who helped me draft a presentable résumé. Isabel encouraged me to attend Drexel's career fair. The career fair had employers seeking Drexel students for co-op positions and gave me an opportunity to introduce myself to many companies located throughout the Philadelphia region. Isabel’s guidance bolstered the needed confidence to impress an employer and land my first co-op.

My first co-op was at EisnerAmper, LLP — a large accounting firm in the Philadelphia suburbs. While working at the accounting firm, I gained valuable work experience. However, the most impactful element of the co-op was the opportunity to talk with professionals on an intimate level. My coworkers provided me with personal advice on how to excel as an accountant. These people were the ones who inspired me to investigate the CPA (certified public accountant) license process. As I wrapped my head around the various requirements to become a CPA (work experience, college credits, and passing exams), my coworkers continued to provide me with advice. The advice my coworkers provided shaped my remaining quarters at Drexel. I became focused on fulfilling the college credit requirement and planning my testing strategy.

On the flip side, I became a mentor to other students during my time at Drexel and after my graduation. Freshman members of the Honors College looked to me for advice on everything from where classes were located to how to maintain honors status. As a member of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting fraternity, I tutored students in accounting and shared my co-op experiences. Now that I have graduated, I have mentored others on the process of earning a CPA license and shared my study techniques. I have also shared my job search and interview experience with current Drexel students to help them prepare for the future.

Michelle Pedicone '15 is from Chemung County, New York. She works as a tax accountant for Universal Health Services, Inc. in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. In her free time, she enjoys running and eating pasta.

Michelle Pedicone