The AI Pivot: Essential Tools for New Grads

A perfect GPA looks great on paper, but it’s not the thing that opens the biggest doors. We’re talking with Braden Deese, a senior accounting student from Walnut Ridge and a standout in A-State’s College of Business, about what actually moves a career forward: mentors who advocate for you, clubs that put you in the right rooms, and the courage to start conversations before you feel fully “ready.” From honor societies to the Accounting and Finance Club, Braden breaks down how involvement becomes a real professional network you can lean on for years.

We also get practical about work experience. Braden shares what he’s learning as an intern at a hospital, from accounts receivable and insurance payments to asking better questions about costs and efficiency. If you’re aiming for an accounting internship, a healthcare finance role, or a future in leadership, you’ll hear how classroom theory turns into decisions that matter, and why showing up prepared and curious beats trying to look like you already know everything.

Leadership is the thread that ties it together. Braden walks us through the three costs of leadership he heard from Coach Butch Jones: you will make hard calls that affect people you care about, you will be disliked sometimes, and you will be misunderstood without getting to defend yourself. We also talk about a major shift happening right now in business and higher education: AI is no longer a forbidden shortcut; it’s a tool you need to learn if you want to stay competitive, adaptable, and effective.

If you care about Arkansas State University, student success, mentorship, networking, accounting careers, or AI in business, this conversation will hit home. Subscribe for more, share this with a student who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: what connection or mentor changed your path? @Arkansasstatemeidanetwork.

0:00 Introduction
1:00 Walnut Ridge Roots
2:22 Why Accounting?
3:11 The Power of Mentorship
4:46 Hospital Internship Insights
6:17 Coach Butch Jones: Three Costs of Leadership
9:49 Future Growth: Shields and White's Vision
11:25 The AI Business Shift
12:40 Redirection: From Baseball to Academics
14:30 Connections You Can't Get Elsewhere
17:10 Adaptive Leadership in Accounting
18:25 Advice for First-Year Students
21:06 Smaller Classes, Closer Bonds
22:02 Only at A-State Moments
23:43 Campus Traditions and Favorites
26:14 High School vs. College Reality
28:02 The Class That Humbled Me
29:14 Career Goals: Path to CFO
29:43 What Alumni Need to Know
31:30 Community and the Food Bank
32:44 A Note of Gratitude
34:04 Defining Progress

Transcript

Welcome And Guest Introduction

SPEAKER_02 0:10

Hi everyone. This is Arkansas State Media Network and Partners in Progress. I am the host for today, Corey Keller. And of course, I have my wonderful guest, Braden Deese. How are you doing? Good.

SPEAKER_01 0:21

How are you?

SPEAKER_02 0:22

Good. Well, a little bit about me. So I'm a two-time grad from Arkansas State. I graduated in 2020 and 2022. And I'm so glad to be back and um get to help host this podcast. And you're our first guest. How do you feel?

SPEAKER_00 0:38

A little nervous, but we'll get through it.

SPEAKER_02 0:40

It's gonna be fine. It's gonna be totally fine. So here's a little bit about Braden. He is a senior accounting student from Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, and a three-time Chancellor's List honoree at Arkansas State University, a distinction reserved for students who maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA. You can really pat yourself on the back for that one.

SPEAKER_01 0:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:00

Dees has been an active member of the A-State Accounting and Finance Club for three years, serving as its reporter during your junior year. This year, he was inducted into the Beta Alpha Psy, a National Honors Society, a National Honors Accounting Society, and currently serves as a reporter for the organization's

Small-Town Roots And Choosing A-State

SPEAKER_02 1:20

A State Chapter. So welcome.

SPEAKER_00 1:22

I thank you.

SPEAKER_02 1:24

Yes. Well, we're so glad to be here. So you're from Walnut Ridge. Yes. What is it like in Walnut Ridge growing up there?

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Um, well, it's a really small town, uh place where you know everybody. I feel like I'm, you know, connected to at least half the town, uh, if not related to them all. Um growing up small town in this area, it's nice to stay home.

SPEAKER_02 1:46

What is the population of Walnut Ridge?

SPEAKER_00 1:48

About 5,000.

SPEAKER_02 1:49

Okay, so I'm from Stuckart and there's about 9,000 people. So I get the small town about half the size. Everyone's my cousin, you know, that those kinds of things. Well, great. Well, what made you want to decide to be a student at A State?

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Uh, so I looked at U of A, of course, in Fayetteville, and I looked at A State, and the proximity to home was a big factor, as well as the fact that this place just seems to uh the professors seem to care more about the students, and the organization itself seems to really uh be student centered. So that was a big, big takeaway and big reason I wanted to be here.

SPEAKER_02 2:22

That's great. It sounds like you're really involved in your academics, of course, four times chancellor or three time chancellor list with your 4.0. Like that's awesome. I can say I only did that once in my time here at A-State. So so happy for you. But um you've been very involved in your studies and also in the organization surrounding your studies. Did you know you always wanted to be an accounting major and be really

Why Accounting And Who Mentors Him

SPEAKER_02 2:50

involved? Or like how did this come about?

SPEAKER_00 2:52

Well, I kind of knew I wanted to be an accounting major. My mom is an accountant, so uh I kind of followed in her footsteps. Uh, as far as like the being involved in all the clubs, I really didn't realize I'd be want to be an officer uh in the clubs that I'm in. But as I got started going through college, I was like, hey, that sounds fun. I I want to be involved. I want to get to know people.

SPEAKER_02 3:11

So Yeah. Have you had a mentor or someone that has really inspired you while you've been here? Maybe a professor or friend?

SPEAKER_00 3:18

I've had a couple of professors that have uh mentored. Uh Dr. Mazako, he's one of the he's the main um accounting professor that's over at Counting Club. Uh also Dr. Gammon or Miss Gammon. I don't know if she's actually a doctor. I think it's just Miss Gammon, but um she was a very big inspiration. Uh, because I've had her like the first two years. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02 3:40

What were y'all's conversations like when you were telling her that you were wanting to get involved?

SPEAKER_00 3:44

Uh, she was like, you need to go talk to Dr. Mizako. Um, she basically led me in the direction of who to go talk to, who to find, and who to meet to get involved on campus.

SPEAKER_02 3:56

So you would say that the accounting department specifically has done a great job of fostering student growth and involvement and seeking you out for being for having a lot of potential.

SPEAKER_01 4:09

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

How would you describe that environment? Would you say it's like a family environment? Is it, you know, this? How would you describe it?

SPEAKER_00 4:18

Uh it's very uh family and family and friends, I guess is one of the best uh ways to put it. And then also not just the accounting environment, but the college of business environment. Um, the dean, uh, Dr. Washam and even uh Dr. Leslie and uh communications and Miss Two in Communications, they're very much, hey, you need to build a resume, you need to go talk to these people. They help set up internships and they're just always there for you. You need someone to go talk to. You can talk to any of the professors there.

SPEAKER_02 4:46

So well, that's great. We were talking a little bit

Hospital Internship And Real Decisions

SPEAKER_02 4:48

off camera before we got started. So you actually are an intern currently for accounting. So tell us a little bit about your internship.

SPEAKER_00 4:55

Uh so I'm currently an intern at a hospital in Walnut Ridge. Um, I'm currently helping like go through the uh accounts receivable process, um, where like we make money and seeing how like the insurances and stuff pay the hospitals. Um, I'm also part of like helping make decisions of hey, we need to dig deeper into this cost because it's too high, or um, hey, this cost was lower. What was the cause of that? Can we keep that up? Um, and stuff like that. So getting to learn a lot of accounting and having fun while doing it.

SPEAKER_02 5:25

So yeah, how were you given that opportunity? Did you see it and apply, or did someone here let you know about it?

SPEAKER_00 5:31

So that actually goes back to my mom and her former boss. Um there, she works at St. Renard's, and St. Renard's is somewhat connected with uh Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge. And her former boss actually met with the president and said, Hey, I've got a uh student that would be a really good intern. Can you at least interview him? And so she got me set up with the internship and all that. And so very thankful to them.

SPEAKER_02 5:56

Oh, that's awesome. So let's talk a little bit more about your

The Hidden Costs Of Leadership

SPEAKER_02 6:00

involvement on campus. So Coach Butch Jones was one of the guest speakers at the entrepreneurial management and strategic leadership series this past semester that you attended. What was it like having him in that setting and what struck stuck with you most from his session?

SPEAKER_00 6:17

So um, I've always seen Coach Jones on like TV or see him in interviews with like K8, uh watching the news because I'm from the area. Um, it was really nice to actually meet him in person and see how personable he actually is. Uh, the energy he brings to a room is unimaginable. I mean, he's just there. He wants the best for his team, obviously. I mean, they're coming off of three strong years, and I'm I hope they continue as a student. Um, I actually have notes, but the biggest uh takeaway I had was um his different perspective on leadership from some of the CEOs and stuff that we had. Um, his main focus was the three costs that are associated with leadership. And those are uh you'll have to make hard decisions that'll negatively affect people you care about. That's a hard one because I mean any leader will tell you that that's a big one. And you don't want to hurt people, but you're gonna have to. It's part of being a leader. Um, also him being a coach, uh, you'll be disliked despite your best attempts at being the best. Coaches, they get a bad rep because of uh their athletes. And I don't really know how to like say it, but we always blame the coach for a bad year. I don't know that it's really their fault most of the time. Uh because I mean, we always have our good athletes and we try to make them the best, but the coach can only do so much. They're not actually playing the game. I think the leadership of coaches has to be the top notch because they've got to take that brunt for their players. And they and Coach Jones does a really good job of it.

SPEAKER_02 7:45

Yeah, I think we see that in so many sectors, not just in athletics, but it's very translatable. I mean, in healthcare specifically, I work in healthcare now. I actually used to work for Coach Jones in that athletic department when I was a master student. And even a few years afterwards did some sports reporting for him. So I really admire him too. He is full of wisdom and has had a lot of experience. But taking those leadership qualities and looking at the situation that you're in, high stakes or not, necessarily, if there's people or money involved, it's always going to be a little contentious at times. Absolutely. And the decisions that you make are going to be so instrumental in the overall success of your business, of your organization, of your hospital, like you and I are in, or um, like your football team.

SPEAKER_00 8:31

Yeah, absolutely. Uh the third point he had is you'll be misunderstood and you won't always get to defend yourself. I I think that happens at, like you said, at any level. Oh, yeah. Uh, because people take what you say one way and you don't always get the chance to defend yourself and they throw you under the bus and it's like, oh, well, you just got to take it.

SPEAKER_02 8:48

Yeah. And that's another great opportunity to talk about mentorship. You mentioned a couple of your professors who've mentored you and helped you, and they can help not only give you advice about involvement either on campus or in your community that are going to be beneficial for you, but they also can mentor you into how to have those strategic conversations in the workplace. And you can call them when you're saying, hey, we're in a sticky situation, or have you been in this before? Because you'll find, and I have found that you're not the first person to ever go through something. So there's always good people out there to give advice and good people to learn from, like Coach Jones.

SPEAKER_01 9:26

Absolutely.

Growing A-State And Using AI Well

SPEAKER_02 9:27

So you've had a front row seat to some of the most accomplished A-State graduates and Arkansas business leaders this past semester. And not just an audience member, there was a real one-on-one connection time built in. What's been the most meaningful conversation? And what's the one takeaway that's genuinely shifted how you think about your future?

SPEAKER_00 9:49

So, uh, the most meaningful conversation, I've got to say, so we had one-on-one time with Dr. Shields and our provost, uh Dr. White, just to see how they plan to grow this university and how they plan to keep students self-centered or keep the students at the center of the university's building and how they want to grow, but they don't want to grow too fast because they want to make sure it's like a structured growth. Um, I think that was the most meaningful because I want to see this place grow. Uh, I really, as an alumni, as a future alumni, I'm a senior currently, as a future alumni, I want to see this place beyond the map. I mean, I want to see us be as big as U of A, but it's got to take good leadership. And I think they definitely have the leadership for it.

SPEAKER_02 10:32

Yeah, Rome was not built today.

SPEAKER_00 10:34

That's true.

SPEAKER_02 10:35

So it is good to know that we have great leadership like Dr. Shields, who's continuing to think strategically and think big picture long term. How are we gonna set this university up for success? You know, I've been here. Or been around A-State now quite a while. I don't even want to tell you that it's my 10-year high school reunion. I'm like, that sounds terrible. But um I've seen multiple leaders, and we've been so fortunate at A State to have a succession of leadership that each year has compounded and built upon itself to continue to grow the university in different ways. And I love to see what Dr. Shields is doing, not just the A-State Media Network and other ways that he's trying to meet students where they are, which is online and evolve and adapt with the new generations of students, but to see it have a long-term vision for growth, I think is great.

SPEAKER_00 11:25

Uh also, you say what's the biggest uh takeaway that uh has shifted how I think about my future? Yeah. Um, talking with all these business leaders, uh, the incorporation of AI into a lot of business. Uh, so when I was in high school and you know, the first couple of years here, AI was a big no-no. You you didn't touch it. Right. Uh it gets you in trouble, you end up with zeros. It was like the worst thing imaginable. Now it's all these businesses, they're looking at how to use it. Yeah. They realize it's a tool. Um, you can't you can't keep it away because if you keep it away, you'll fail. And that was the way they think about it. And so just to see that and uh think about okay, so I've got to learn to use this as a tool so that I'm competitive in the job market or so our business continues to succeed.

SPEAKER_02 12:09

Yeah. It's one of those things that we're gonna have to get on the bus or the bus is gonna leave us.

SPEAKER_00 12:13

Yep, absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 12:14

So, but using AI to work smarter, to work quicker, be more efficient. Ugh, taking the words out of my mouth. Yes, it is, it's only gonna help us in the long run, I think. And we have to be on the forefront of that. And I think, you know, we've seen leadership here at A State that's doing that, but we've also seen leadership in the state that's taking initiative. So it's it's great. We gotta, we gotta be on it.

SPEAKER_01 12:39

Absolutely.

A Sports Setback That Helped

SPEAKER_02 12:40

Another question for you Has there been a moment in your life where a setback or failure actually redirected you somewhere better?

SPEAKER_00 12:48

So I mentioned before when we were talking that I played baseball in high school. Um, so a lot of people, you try to be on the varsity team every single year, obviously. That that's the goal. Uh, my the catcher that was coming up behind me is super good. He's currently playing college at Kent State. He's a beast. Yeah. Can't say enough about him. Um coming up, I got put behind him. That setback, you're not starting. Well, I ended up uh training my defense at second base instead of catcher. And I ended up going and playing catcher in my senior year. So I finally got to play. If I had been able to play all four years, there's a chance I would have gone to college somewhere else to play sports. And I'm happy I didn't. I'm happy I ended up here. Happy I ended up looking at college instead of as an academic thing and not as a sports thing, because I don't think I could ever find the uh satisfaction of being able to find a job after because I think it would have been a lot harder if I'd went for sports.

SPEAKER_02 13:45

Yeah. It it definitely athletics adds a new level of intensity to your education. I was on the dance team when I was here. And it's just one more thing you have to do in addition to your education. And you're super involved in not only your accounting clubs, but in your internship and um working here on campus and being part of honor societies. You know, you have to find that balance. And um, I think to any new student who might be listening to this, that's a great testament. Like we all love our extracurriculars, but there's a way to do both if you really would like to. And there's also a way to maybe shift and redirect or do something that seems a little scary or out of the norm of what you did in high school.

SPEAKER_01 14:29

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 14:30

So I think that's great.

What Employers Want Beyond A Degree

SPEAKER_02 14:33

What has A State done to prepare you for life after graduation that you couldn't have gotten somewhere else?

SPEAKER_00 14:39

Uh, I think the main thing is the connections. Um, this class that I had with Dr. Shields and Dr. Nelson that's brought all these business leaders in and allowed these one-on-one connections, not many places do that. I'm sure there's some other colleges out there that bring in people, but I mean, we had like 12, 13 weeks of CFOs and CEOs from the area. You're not going to get that kind of connection anywhere else. And on top of that, just the insights that they give. I mean, what they look for. Um, I mean, these leaders, they were telling us like what they look for in new job applicants. I always thought growing up it was all about getting that degree. It's not all about the degree because they can teach you what they need you to know. They they're looking for hard work, they're looking for dedication to the job. So it was nice to get that. I don't know that you're gonna get it anywhere else as efficiently as we got it here at A State.

SPEAKER_02 15:33

Yeah, and those connections, I mean, we've talked about it a lot in this episode, but it is truly it's all about who you know when you get to the real world at some point. Of course, what you know in your degree is important. So everyone get your degree at A State. But it's really important to make those connections. I mean, I don't even live in the area anymore. I now live in central Arkansas, but I know I can pick up the phone and call people in this area around the state, and honestly around the country that are not only A State alumni that I met while I was here, but are true connections that are going to benefit me long term. Should I need a job? Should I need advice? Should I should I need help with something? And being able to build that closeness because of proximity, not just to your hometown, but to those around you, to business leaders, it's incredibly impactful because you also never know where your classmates are going to be one day, absolutely, where they're going to be serving and leading because they've had incredible opportunities just like you. So it's really neat to see in such a special, special group, this university to be a part of. I love it. And, you know, it's like why I'm here today. Dr. Shields called me and he was like, I have this opportunity I want you to be a part of. And I said, Great. You know, not every university is the chancellor going to call you when you're an alumni to come back and do something, especially he wasn't even the chancellor when I was a student here the whole time. So I think that's wonderful. Um, and just very special. You're studying accounting. What does the leadership content you've been exposed to here give you that a traditional accounting curriculum alone would not?

SPEAKER_00 17:10

Um the connections like we just mentioned, uh, but also like again, what the people look for. Traditional accounting curriculum, it's gonna teach you how to do the basics, it's gonna give you the theories of it. These people are giving you the well, now that you know this theory, I can train you to do what I need you to do at a job if I need you. It's but I need to see that you want to be hardworking, that you're gonna be punctual, you're gonna be here early, you're gonna be willing to stay late, and you've got to be willing to adapt. That was a big thing. Um, if you can't adapt in the workplace, if businesses can't adapt, they fail. Yeah. And so just knowing that that's what the leaders want, I mean, it it kind of speaks for itself. They want what they want, and you've got to adapt to what they want. And so Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 17:53

Well, kudos to all of his professors and mentors because he was 20 minutes early today. He beat me here. So I'm super impressed, especially as someone who might be hiring one day for healthcare positions. You never know. Again, another great testament to the outside of the classroom skills that you're still being taught, like punctuality and professionalism. Those are great.

How To Find Your People Fast

SPEAKER_02 18:15

If you're talking to a first-year student who hasn't found their footing yet, no campus job, no community, what is one thing you would tell them?

SPEAKER_00 18:25

Um, talk to people, uh, for sure. Um, I know we've talked about connections a lot, but as a new student, it's so important that you talk to people because you'll find groups. That's how you find them. If you don't talk to people and you just stay in your own little bubble, you won't find groups, you won't grow. That one conversation you have with another incoming freshman at an orientation event, you could become best friends 20 years down the road, they might get you hired. Right. Uh up in a C-suite somewhere where you're making hundreds of thousands a year. I mean, that's it, that's the importance of just making that connection. Um, also, just don't get too caught up in the fact that, or in the chaos of all of it, because you've got a little bit of time. Uh, don't rush. You enjoy yourself while you're here.

SPEAKER_02 19:11

Yeah, I think that is so true. One of my favorite memories is the day I met Dr. Lynn Frau. He's now over the veterinarian school, I think. Correct me if I'm wrong in the subtitles. But um, he is awesome. And he ended up becoming such a great friend of mine. But he gave me my first campus job because I met him at an event when I was Miss A State. And he said, So what do you do here on campus? And I said, Well, I'm on the dance team. I'm Miss A State, I'm a student. And he was like, Have you ever wanted a job on campus? And I said, You know, I think I have a few hours every day I could work. And that was my first job. And it taught me so much about HR. And now when I'm in my job, I use those, because at the time he was over HR and finance. So now I get to use those skills that I learned just from being a student assistant working a front desk about HR, about professionalism, about punctuality, about just the differences in workplaces and what they look like and how to foster a great work environment and also customer service. That's a huge part of my job now. So it's um it is interesting what can happen when you put yourself out there. Do you have a memory or an experience where you're like, I put myself out there and this is what came of it?

SPEAKER_00 20:27

Um, so when I first started, I was in financial accounting and kind of the group that I'm really good friends with today and uh have a lot of classes with. I met a couple of the students in that first class at nine o'clock in the morning, the first day of school. Just they said hi. It that's all it took. And then all of a sudden you're friends, and four years later, we're in the same classes, we're all looking at graduating and going on to getting a master's. So yeah, that's it means a lot. And then also the teachers just talk to the teeth, talk into the teachers. They're some of the best mentors, and they don't even have to try to be the mentor because it's just their job. That's what they do.

SPEAKER_02 21:06

Oh, yeah. Some of my teachers became really good friends of mine. Um, the classmates that I said hi to or I had a lot of the same classes with. That's one nice thing about A State at its size, is your classes are a smaller size. So you really have a chance to get to know one another. And then we all had the same classes all four years over and over and over. So you get really comfortable with these people. And even if I saw them in class and we didn't hang out a lot after that, now I see them working and out and about and in the young alumni network in Little Rock. And so I get to reconnect with them. So it's just cool. It's all those little connections and the friends that you're making now that will turn out later in life to be CEOs and vice presidents and business owners that are going to really be advantageous one day and of course just be good friends. So that's nice. Finding community is

Campus Traditions And Quick Favorites

SPEAKER_02 21:57

important. What's one only at this universe? Moment you've had.

SPEAKER_00 22:02

Um probably go into the basketball games, and uh there was a game I went to a couple years ago, and the whoever was being howl for the time like stumbled and almost fell down the stairs at the basketball game.

SPEAKER_02 22:20

Only Hal.

SPEAKER_00 22:21

Only Hal.

SPEAKER_02 22:22

That is really funny. Yeah, we had a lot of those moments when I was on the dance team where we were just like, this is us. And it's so fun too, because you think about A State and the attention that it draws because it is a public university. I remember being at a football game and the governor was standing there, a NFL player was standing to the other side of me, and then there's Hal like starting the way. And it's like, okay, like this just doesn't happen everywhere.

SPEAKER_00 22:48

While you're public, while you have these big people, you're also really small.

SPEAKER_02 22:51

Yeah, you're very close and personal with these people, and you really get to know them on an intimate level at times, and so it's just funny. Um, what is your go-to study spot?

SPEAKER_00 23:03

Uh, probably the Delta Center for Economics. There's some study rooms in there. Uh and um they you have your own uh heating and uh air, yeah, the own thermostat in there, and the glass doors are soundproof. Best spot ever.

SPEAKER_02 23:19

Sometimes you can just let it out, do a good yell. I loved the bean bags in the library, those are good too. I thought those were great until one of my friends was like, Quary, do you know how many people sit on those? And I was like, it'll be all right. You know, when you're 20, you're invincible, you have a great immune system. Now, probably not. Uh, what is your favorite campus tradition or event?

SPEAKER_00 23:43

Um, probably the like when we packed the arena, uh, some of those events. Yeah. Uh, because I mean, just the sheer amount of people that can get in Centennial Bank Arena, that's amazing. Just to support the basketball teams. And I mean, they had a really good year this year. At least our girls did, I know for sure. And I I think that's awesome. I want to see that continued support for athletics and all the hard work that they do.

SPEAKER_02 24:07

Speaking of the arena, so one of my favorite memories, it used to be the convocation center or the convo for any of my oldies out there like me, but was concerts that would come on campus. That's also really cool. Oh, I know. It's awesome. I saw Rascal Flats here. I saw like way back in the day, Taylor Swift came. This was like, you know, love story, fearless era. Country era. Yeah, the country Taylor Swift. Exactly. If you had, if your major accounting had a theme song, what would it be?

SPEAKER_03 24:42

Hmm.

SPEAKER_02 24:46

Would it be like money, money, money from Mama Mia?

SPEAKER_00 24:50

That's that's a good one. Uh-huh. I was thinking anything numbers. Yeah, it's all a bunch of numbers. Um but yeah, the money, money, money. Yeah, that's that's a good one.

SPEAKER_02 25:00

That that works. Yes. What is your survival meal during finals or like a busy week?

SPEAKER_00 25:08

Chicken nuggets and fries from McDonald's.

SPEAKER_02 25:11

Oh. Yeah. Do you like sweet and sour barbecue sandwich? Ranch.

SPEAKER_00 25:16

Yeah, I'm I'm basic.

SPEAKER_02 25:17

Do you like ranch on pizza?

SPEAKER_00 25:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 25:20

See, that is very Arkansas.

SPEAKER_00 25:24

I I can't do pineapples on pizza, but I can do ranch on pizza. I love a pineapple. Uh I like pineapples by themselves, but I can't do it on a pizza.

SPEAKER_02 25:32

Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 25:34

That's funny.

SPEAKER_02 25:34

What's your favorite place to eat on campus?

SPEAKER_00 25:37

Uh, well, it was Chick-fil-A, and then they went to like this grub hub thing, and so I've been going to Freshens since.

SPEAKER_02 25:43

Oh. Do they still have the smoothies and the salads?

SPEAKER_00 25:47

Yes, they do.

SPEAKER_02 25:47

That uh that came when I was a student here, and it was so good.

SPEAKER_00 25:51

I also like the chicken bacon ranch sandwiches.

SPEAKER_02 25:53

Do they still have Hal's Grill or Yes, they do. They had great burgers and like fries. They do a bunch of nachos now. Really? Interesting. Oh, the times have changed. It's not even been 10 years, but that's okay. What else? What is one thing you thought college would be like, but is totally different?

SPEAKER_00 26:14

Uh, so in high school, they tell us a lot that uh no food in class. Uh, you've always got to be like super dressed up. Uh, teachers gonna be super strict, they're gonna care if you're there, no sleeping. Yeah, that's not true. They uh they don't care if you eat. If if you eat, they're like, okay, do you have some for me? Yeah, you can share. That's one of their biggest things. Um, they prefer you not to sleep, but if you sleep as long as you do good on the test, they don't really care. Um don't sleep in class. Don't sleep, it's not a good idea. But you doze off. Like, yell at you. Like in high school, I just remember uh one of my friends dozed off and a teacher came over and like slammed their desk. Wow, funniest thing ever, but they don't do that here in college. Um you can wear pajamas. The college classes, they're not gonna care as long as they're like pull-on pajama pants and a shirt. You gotta at least hit dress code, but true.

SPEAKER_02 27:14

Uh look back at some of the photos of what I wore. I did not wear pajamas ever to class. Once I wore house shoes to the library, and I'd oh it was a one-time occurrence during finals week. I was desperate people, okay. But I remember I had like mixed match outfits and hats, and I was just like, I look back and I'm like, what was I wearing? Like I would never wear that out public now, but nobody cares because that's how we all dress. So, but yes, but I would say to really be on good sides, probably don't eat a lot, eat minimally, don't sleep at class, and try to put yourself together just a little bit. I sound like my mother now because she was telling me that while I was in college, and I was like, whatever, mom, you're crazy. Now I understand. Okay, be honest. What class has humbled you?

SPEAKER_00 28:02

Probably intermediate too. Uh intermediate accounting too. So the sheer volume of new stuff that's in the class, uh, I was one that I hate to say it, I come by being smart kind of naturally. I didn't have to study hard. And so when I was Chancellor's list. So when I got there and um it it ruined my streak of the chancellor's list. Um but but when I got there and it was like, oh, I don't just have this because there was so much information, you realize even the rightists have to study.

SPEAKER_02 28:37

So you do have to put in some effort at something.

SPEAKER_00 28:40

There's gotta be effort. And so a little bit.

SPEAKER_02 28:43

Yes. Yes. I had some friends like that that were just like naturally really smart and didn't have to do a lot of studying, and I was very happy for them.

SPEAKER_00 28:51

Kind of jealous of some of the ones that still managed to pull it off.

SPEAKER_02 28:55

I know. And you will have those friends in college if you're a potential student or if you've been to college before, where you're just like, Oh, how are you so smart? But I like to think that there were things that they were like, Corey, how did you do that? And I'm like, I don't know. How how did you know that?

SPEAKER_00 29:10

Like, how did you understand that without exactly?

SPEAKER_02 29:14

We've told our advice about put yourself out there, get connected, be involved.

Goals After Graduation And Meaning Of Progress

SPEAKER_02 29:20

What is your goal after graduation?

SPEAKER_00 29:24

Um, my goal is to, of course, stay at the hospital I'm currently working at and hopefully 20 years down the road work up to CFO. That's that's a huge goal. Um, just to be in the C-suite. But uh yeah, that's that's the main thing is just continue working and working hard. That's great. Love it.

SPEAKER_02 29:43

What is something you wish alumni knew about students today?

SPEAKER_00 29:48

That they're willing to go make those connections and that they want to. There's a lot of alumni that I think would be amazing to come back and meet some students because they're business owners or they're working in businesses. I think I wish that they would come meet them and make those connections and see that students are willing to make those connections and they're willing to work hard. And um I mean, our generation gets a bad rep for being lazy or always going to technology.

SPEAKER_02 30:16

But as I'm on chat GBT.

SPEAKER_00 30:19

But I I wish the some of the alumni would realize that there are some hard workers out there that want to connect and they want jobs and they want to work. So just come back and meet some of them.

SPEAKER_02 30:28

Well, and our reliance on technology is gonna help us out one day because our It's an increasingly technological world. So when our older alumni are gonna need us to come in to teach them the latest and greatest. So hire a young professional so they can keep you up to date. Exactly. Exactly. What how do you hope to stay connected to this university after graduation?

SPEAKER_00 30:52

Well, I hope to, for one, stay in the area. Um, this is kind of where I grew up. I don't really plan on leaving it. I like the area, but uh just go into athletic events, uh, continue to support the college. And hopefully one day maybe Dr. Shields or uh someone that precedes him will invite me back on campus or even to come talk to a class and connect with some of the students.

SPEAKER_02 31:18

That would be awesome. You can keep keep up keep in touch with your professors, and I'm sure they will call you. Don't worry. What does being a part of this university community mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 31:30

Um it just it means a lot. I mean, being able to support a community like this and the college, I know well, at least the college of business, we work a lot with nonprofits, being able to support the outside community. Um, I know Dr. Shields also talked about turning Jonesboro into a college town, not just a town with a college in it. I I want to see that. Just being there to be with the community and helping out when because it's not always about making money, it's about helping the people around you. And yeah, A-State does that very well, at least in the college of business that I that I've been a part of.

SPEAKER_02 32:10

So yeah, that's great. That's such a good note, too, because A State really is kind of one of the big heartbeats of the city. I mean, without it, a lot of your small businesses, your not-for-profits, wouldn't have support or wouldn't even have volunteers or engagement because of the students. So that's a great note. So thank you.

SPEAKER_00 32:29

They help a lot with the food bank around here. Yeah. So and I think that's one of the best causes in the area is the food bank.

SPEAKER_02 32:36

Yeah, I totally agree. I concur. If you could thank one person from your time here at A-State, who would it be?

SPEAKER_00 32:44

You can thank multiple, but uh let's start by thanking Miss Gamon uh for getting me connected with Dr. Mazako and getting me active in the accounting club and just being there for me. But uh, I'd also like to, of course, thank uh all the accounting professors for being there and mentoring and um helping me make connections. And then uh Miss Too. Uh she was very big on first year experience. She was our first year experience teacher, and she got us uh acclimated to college life. And you can't you can't look over those people. They are the biggest supporters. She's always going to be in your corner. I think everyone needs a Miss Too.

SPEAKER_02 33:25

That's amazing. I love to hear that. I remember when I graduated, I cried because I was sad. I didn't want to leave. I mean, truly, these people become your home away from home and your family. You know, you're from Walnut Ridge, but it's not convenient necessarily to go home all the time. And it being from Stuck Art two hours away, it wasn't convenient and had a lot of friends that were from states away. So I mean, all of those connections that you make here, they become your family. And so I cherished my time here and look back so fondly on it. It sounds like you will too. So that's great. I love to know that our alumni network's just getting stronger. It's great.

SPEAKER_00 34:03

It'll continue to grow.

SPEAKER_02 34:04

Oh, it will for sure. I have no doubts. Well, thank you so much for joining me. Um, one closing question since this is partners in progress, and you will soon be our community partner once you become an alumni, but hopefully you'll come back to get your master's degree. Yep. But what does progress mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 34:24

Uh, moving forward, uh, adapting and learning. Um, I want to see this college move forward grow. Uh, that's a big one. Um, I think it'll be amazing what Dr. Shields and Dr. White having plans. You can't get better than that. All the partnerships that they want to set up for, I mean, we just got our vet school. It starts, it opens in August. Um, I mean, they have big plans for this place, and I just want to see it happen.

SPEAKER_02 34:51

Yeah, I totally agree. Well, thank you so much for joining me, Braden. Yes, this is the Arkansas State Media Network Partners in Progress. See you next time. Wolves up.