Kassi Brownlow has become a common name among the business department within the last few years here at Sonoma State.
For the last several years, she has maintained a 4.0 grade point average, proving Brownlow’s dedication as a business major with a concentration in accounting.
Currently, this is her second year working for the School of Business and Economic’s Career Center.
“I contribute to the planning and execution of 30-45 minute classroom presentations every semester, discussing the general idea of becoming employable upon graduation,” said Brownlow. “Classroom presentations usually reach out to just about 1,000 business students, with the notion of informing those students about events and programs that can get them involved and connected with the resources available to them.”
With roughly 1,600 business students the School of Business and Economics Career Center has provided many outlets to help promote students’ success in career planning and development.
The mentor program is an outlet for students to be given the opportunity to set up meetings with business professionals within the community. Matching the student with someone in the community to their personal preference in field of study has created more communication among the community.
Hosting events like the ‘Career and Internship Expo’ every fall and the big ‘Spring Mixer’ in the spring has shown to be one of largest ways of networking for the business department, all of which Brownlow plays a role in further development.
“These are networking events where business professionals come on campus and students are able to meet face to face with large and small corporations for future connections. The number one goal is getting community involvement within the business department for current networking and future resources, ” said Brownlow.
While Brownlow is consistently working with her community members in helping form business events and colleagues for the current calendar year, she is also in charge of posting jobs and internships daily on the School of Business and Economics internet home page.
Currently she is in her second year of membership in the accounting forum, which happens to be the largest academic club in the business department.
“The accounting forum solidified the passion I have for business accounting with fun-filled appearances by different guest speakers, including those of the Big Four accounting firms, as well as planned field trips throughout the semester to such firms. All of which could lead to potential job opportunities and internships,” said Brownlow.
Brownlow went through an interview process her sophomore year for different leadership programs and interviewed with multiple firms. She was selected to participate in an “alternative spring break”, where soon after she was offered a once in a life time opportunity in term of business accounting.
During an eight to 10- week part of Brownlow’s summer, she will be interning with the audit function within Deloitte (one of the Big Four accounting firms) in San Francisco, all of which is paid and given academic credit for.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support of my family, friends and faculty that go above and beyond the call of duty in supporting my success as a student,” said Brownlow. “I think that it’s important to be open-minded, flexible, and to get involved in activities that you are passionate about while enjoying your college experience.”
