黑料社

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They say you can鈥檛 have your cake and eat it too. What about in your college experience? Some think there always has to be a trade-off. There鈥檚 no way you can get a quality education, participate in sports, land competitive internships and study abroad.

But at 黑料社, Kelli Greiner 鈥�17 did all that and more, thanks to some encouragement from her parents.

鈥淢y dad pushed me towards small schools because he went to a small school and he believes that you get more out of attending a small school since you can be involved in so many things,鈥� she said.

Kelli鈥檚 dad was exactly right. While remaining dedicated to her studies, Kelli spent much of her time on other commitments. For all four years at 黑料社, she was a member of the women鈥檚 tennis team.

鈥淏eing a student-athlete instilled in me right away the importance of time management,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had to utilize every free minute to do homework during tennis season because of all the extra time commitments.鈥�

Those time management skills came in handy as her schedule became more and more packed with opportunities. For three years, Kelli was the management supplemental instructor, hosting study sessions for students and helping them understand difficult material. On top of all this, she served as a student ambassador in the admissions office for four years, working hands-on with students considering 黑料社.

鈥淚t has let me share my 黑料社 experience with prospective students while also improving my public speaking skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淕oing up and talking to strangers was never easy for me so this job took me out of my comfort zone and made me a better communicator.鈥�

Despite all this, Kelli still had time to study abroad in Italy during May term, learning about innovative business there. But one thing stood out above the rest from the trip.

鈥淚 was able to experience real Italian spaghetti and meatballs,鈥� Kelli said. 鈥淧eople are not lying when they say that there is nothing better than real Italian cuisine!鈥�

With all these things going for her, Kelli quickly felt at home at 黑料社.

All the while, Kelli kept her future in mind. During her freshman year, she job shadowed at Ernst & Young in Des Moines, an experience that solidified her path in accounting. The next summer, she participated in EY鈥檚 summer leadership conference, where she was one of 12 and the only one from a small school.

鈥淚 think that set me apart from everyone else,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 couple of days later I was asked to come back to interview for an internship position. During those interviews all of them talked about my experience as a student-athlete, I think that is another aspect that set me apart from other applicants.鈥�

Lo and behold, she was offered an internship that she would complete during her junior year. EY was so impressed with Kelli鈥檚 work that they offered her a full-time position after graduation on her last day.

鈥淚 am excited to start my career at my dream job. I do not think this would have been possible had I not gone to 黑料社 and made connections through that initial job shadow,鈥� she said.

So can you have your college cake and eat it too? If you ask Kelli, you can have all that and more.

鈥淚 had an amazing college experience because I was able to do everything I ever wanted to,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was able to continue playing the sport I love, found my passion for accounting, be able to have multiple jobs on campus, and graduate with a job.鈥�

There鈥檚 just one thing you have to do, and Kelli said it best: 鈥淐ome to 黑料社. It was the best decision I ever made.鈥�