Tyshawn Allison

Tyshawn Allison is a transfer accountancy major from Chicago, IL

Hometown: Chicago, IL

High School: Prosser Career Academy

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2027

Transfer from: Wilbur Wright College

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
Because of the amazing accounting program it offers.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I wanted to be a computer scientist growing up. I have taken a different path.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is accountancy. Choosing accounting wasn’t random. During the summer of 2024, a group I was part of made a business to help support CPS students. When we didn’t feel confident about winning, I came up with the idea of making an Excel sheet to overcome all the teams. We presented and ended up in first place.

Have you conducted an internship? How did you get your internship, and where was it?
Yes. I got my internship through a program called Emerge, and it was in downtown Chicago.

How did your internship help prepare you for your career?
During the summer of 2024, I had my first accounting internship at Equity Commonwealth. While working there, I got a real feeling for what it’s like to be an accountant and the lifestyle that comes along with it. I was responsible for invoices, documentation and accounting duties. However, there was one time I was working on a project and was responsible for simply debiting and crediting the numbers. When I finished, I handed it over to the CPA to check my work. While everything was correct, after they added their portion, it changed my entire mindset for the rest of the internship. It made me see that accounting is not just about simply debiting and crediting numbers. It’s about accuracy and decision-making.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
All the opportunities the school provides for students as a whole.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have either walked up to them or met them through an organization.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am part of Beta Alpha Psi and the honors committee. They have added to my experience as a Huskie. I was able to get involved and access competitive opportunities such as the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
Any office in the College of Business, the home of my major. Learning anything in that environment will always make me better.

Are there transfer-specific resources, offices or services that you use to help you succeed at NIU?
The transfer scholarship.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
The Honors Program has given me access and visibility I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Being in the program has connected me with faculty, leadership and professional opportunities that align directly with my CPA and long-term career goals. One of the biggest benefits has been the academic support.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I get early access to class registration.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
Suzanne Youngberg. Since I got to NIU, she has written me more than 10 letters of recommendation to help get me into programs I did not believe it was possible to get into. She teaches ACCY 370 and is an amazing asset at NIU.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I learned new things about finance and accounting.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My room in Patterson Hall, as I have my setup and can stay focused on my goals there.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Never be deceived by a no; you will eventually get a yes. I have been rejected many times, but you have to focus on how you can come back stronger.

Why is a college education important to you?
Because it helps develop the knowledge for you to be able to learn discipline and utilize it in today's world.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I write a to-do list. That way, I have five goals I can complete in a day rather than trying to go off memory and getting nothing done. For example, when it comes to friends and family, I will inform them that I am busy if I'm overwhelmed, but overall, they can contact me. For work, I will just go in and communicate if I'm sick or busy.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I use resources such as fellow students, professors and email to learn about everything that can be done on campus.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I either go to the gym or simply do 20 pushups a day to keep myself relaxed. When it comes to recharging, I go to sleep earlier. For example, instead of being up at 2 or 3 a.m., I’ll go to sleep at 11 p.m. or midnight.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I’ve gained hands-on experience in accounting-focused roles, including an internship where I managed accounts payable and supported tax-related responsibilities. That experience gave me direct exposure to strict deadlines, compliance standards and the level of precision the profession requires. I’ve also worked as a tutor and mentor, which strengthened my communication skills and reinforced the importance of patience, clarity and leadership in professional environments. Outside of academics and work, I’m passionate about content creation and fitness. I enjoy documenting my journey both professionally and personally, because growth means more when you can reflect on it. Staying active is also a priority for me; it keeps me disciplined, focused and balanced. Overall, my professional experiences are helping build a strong technical foundation, while my interests keep me creative, motivated and grounded.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
Beyond the classroom, my NIU journey has expanded in ways I’m truly proud of. I’ve had the opportunity to be featured or recognized across multiple platforms, including the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Tribune, as well as the Illinois CPA Society and other professional spaces. Seeing my work and story shared publicly reinforces that the effort I put in is being seen and valued beyond campus. For me, being a Huskie means taking initiative, whether pursuing leadership programs, earning professional recognition or putting myself in rooms that challenge me to grow. Every opportunity has strengthened my confidence and clarified my direction: to represent NIU with professionalism, resilience and ambition wherever I go.