Jenna Robinson

Jenna Robinson is an Master of Accounting Science student from Pearl City, IL

Hometown: Pearl City, IL

High School: Pearl City High School

Year: Expected Graduation: Spring 2025

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor’s degree in accountancy, May 2024

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I have received many scholarships during my time at NIU that have significantly helped me succeed. I received a merit scholarship from NIU for my high school GPA, which I was able to receive all four years of my undergraduate degree. I also have received numerous scholarships through the University Honors Program and the accountancy department based on my GPA and involvement with the programs.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
When I was younger, I had a love for animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. As I got older, I realized I was not fond of science and decided I wanted to be a lawyer. When I was in high school, I was able to take dual-credit courses at my local community college in the area of criminal justice, which I was very passionate about. I knew I didn’t want to work in law enforcement, so when I visited NIU my senior year of high school and was introduced to forensic accounting, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy in May 2024 and will graduate with a Master of Accounting Science (M.A.S.) degree in May 2025.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am currently working on a master’s degree in accounting science, and I decided on accounting because I am interested in forensic accounting.

Have you conducted an internship?
Yes

How did you get your internship, and where was it?
I have completed two internships with Wipfli, LLP, a mid-sized public accounting firm in Rockford, Illinois. I got my internship by connecting with a recruiter at the NIU Accountancy Career Fair.

How did your internship help prepare you for your career?
My internships have helped me prepare for my career in many ways. Wipfli does a really good job of immersing their interns in real client work, which allowed me to get an idea of the kind of work I will be doing when I start a career in public accounting. Wipfli was also very willing to let me try tax, audit and consulting services to see what I enjoyed most. I also received an offer to work for Wipfli full time after I graduate in May.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I have been very pleasantly surprised with how much I have come out of my shell during my time at NIU. Coming in as a freshman in the fall of 2020, I was very shy and scared to put myself out there. Now, four years later, I am so much more confident. I attribute this to all of the organizations I have been involved in, as they have each given me opportunities to gradually gain the confidence I needed.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have been involved in many different organizations during my time at NIU, which has helped me connect with like-minded students. I actually met one of my best friends through the Honors Program my freshman year, and we have lived together for four years now. I also make it a point to make friends within my major who I can plan class schedules with and have a support system.

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?
During my undergrad degree, I was involved in many student organizations, including Leaders in Ethics and Academic Discipline (LEAD), Women in Business Professions, NIU Dance Marathon, Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Accounting Leadership Advisory Council and the University Honors Program. I have held many different leadership positions in these organizations and have also been a mentor to freshman accounting students for the past two years. These experiences have allowed me to make new friends and build my resume.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The accountancy department is definitely my favorite department on campus. All of the professors truly care about your success and want to help you learn. The office staff is always very welcoming and also want you to succeed.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
The Honors Program has supported me in many ways, including financially. I was lucky enough to receive an honors scholarship for three years of my undergrad degree, which greatly helped me focus on my studies without having to worry about financing my education. I also lived in the Honors House in Patterson Hall for two years, and I enjoyed connecting with the other residents and going on the exclusive Honors House trips.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I really enjoyed connecting with students who were as driven as I am and creating a support system of like-minded individuals to hold me accountable.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
I don’t think I can pick just one, but all of my accountancy professors have been phenomenal. They are all very approachable if I need help with coursework, or even just advice on which internship I should take.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
By attending class regularly, I have been able to build relationships with all of my professors, which has helped me be less afraid to go to office hours or speak up during class if I don’t understand the material.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I absolutely love NIU, so it is hard to pick a favorite spot, but my top two would probably be Barsema Hall and the football stadium. Barsema Hall is beautiful, and there are plenty of quiet spaces for me to hang out in between classes and get homework done. I love the football stadium because my parents are NIU alumni, so growing up we would always have season passes to the football games, and I grew up cheering for the Huskies. It is so fun and surreal now to be a student here cheering for the same team I always have been.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would recommend visiting each college you are interested in applying to. It might sound cliche, but when I visited NIU officially, it really felt like home.

Why is a college education important to you?
College is important to me because both of my parents have master’s degrees, so they instilled the importance of education in me from a young age.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
One of my best strategies is to keep everything written down in a physical planner. I use the calendar on my phone sometimes as well, but I always come back to a physical planner because I find it easier to see everything laid out. I also try to keep it color-coded, so I know what is related to school, work and personal life.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I follow a lot of the NIU accounts on Instagram and have all of the NIU-recommended apps.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
My parents recently got a puppy, so I enjoy hanging out with him and taking him out on walks whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy reading mystery novels and listening to true crime podcasts.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I currently work as a graduate research assistant at the NIU Center for Governmental Studies. After I graduate, I plan to work at Wipfli, LLP as a governmental auditor.