Nicole Agu, Verrazzano Class of 2021, completed majors in Accounting and International Business with a minor in Business Finance
It is a bittersweet feeling to realize that my undergraduate college experiences have come to an end. I was one of those students who just wanted to commute to school, go home, and study. Despite being very quiet and introverted, I knew that I wanted to build memorable college experiences, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and get involved. After several changes, I declared majors in Accounting and International Business, with a minor in Finance. I took an interest in the trend of artificial intelligence and how it will affect accounting industries so I took a data analytics class and information management to learn the application of relevant software in performing business related tasks.
As part of the requirements to graduate successfully from the Verrazzano program I carried out the research relating to my interest in intelligent automation, prepared a capstone project, and presented the project at the Undergraduate Research Conference. Prior to choosing my research topic, I attended an event, “Insight Reimagined”, hosted by the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). In one of the CPE sessions, the value of understanding Intelligent Automation (IA) which contributes so much to a productive outcome in industries, was emphasized. Because of this seminar, I became interested in researching more on intelligent automation because technology is constantly evolving.
As a future professional accountant/entrepreneur, it is essential to have an understanding and knowledge of the digital future to perform any tasks effectively and provide valuable customer relations. By researching and making a presentation on IA, I could learn how companies adapt to IA to achieve their business goals and optimize customers’ experiences. It was interesting yet a challenging process to outline, but it was worth it because I understood the depths of my research topic, the evolution of intelligent automation and its impact on accounting firms. I utilized various articles from companies such as EY, PwC, Accenture, etc., to understand and elaborate on how artificial intelligence is transforming accounting industries.
The Verrazzano Honors program has prepared me for my long-term career, and I am very proud of not taking any opportunity for granted. I am excited to have completed my college journey, especially as a valedictorian and I am looking forward to accomplishing many more achievements as I begin my full-time career at Deloitte. Having the right mindset in the next chapter of my life will help me succeed.
