Not All Career Paths Are Linear:
Meet the Accidental Accountant

By Carole Reinert

Imagine graduating from college, only to watch your career prospects get derailed by the pandemic. That’s what happened to Taylor Stone (MS ’25).

Attending college for music was a logical choice for Stone, since she had sung in musicals throughout her middle school and high school years.  She researched careers in the music industry and pursued a bachelor’s degree in Music Business from SUNY Oneonta to work behind the scenes in that industry. 

“I found a calling in box office management and touring,” says Stone. “When Covid hit, touring companies cancelled all foreseeable events, so no theaters, event centers, or stadiums were putting on shows.”

Faced with no job prospects, she explored careers in human resources and operations before taking an administrative position at an advertising agency. At the time, she didn’t know that position would shine the light on a new career path.

MS in Accounting Opens Doors

“I offered to help with some accounting tasks, mostly data entry for some accounts payable functions, and I ended up loving it,” she says. Just like she did when deciding what to pursue for her undergraduate degree, she researched her best options to become an accountant and eventually a certified public accountant. Based on that research, she enrolled in the master’s degree in accounting program at Pitt Business. 

She credits Associate Professor Karen Shastri with providing much-needed encouragement. “Since my background hasn’t been as linear as other accounting students, Karen has shown unbelievable support for my abilities and encourages me to be the best that I can be,” Stone says. 

Now halfway through the program, Stone is surprised by the larger role accounting plays in a company. She knew the profession would involve financial statements; however, she did not know how closely tied the field is to laws and regulations.

“Much of what accountants do is guided by compliance and legal interpretation,” she explains. “This made me see that accounting is not just a technical skill, but a profession that is deeply rooted in structure, ethics, and accountability.”

Gaining Real-World Experience

Thanks to volunteer opportunities, an internship, and her involvement in student organizations, she will walk into her first accounting job with a wealth of experience.

This spring, she volunteered in the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program, which provides free assistance in completing tax returns for individuals who meet an income threshold. “Preparing these tax returns was a truly rewarding experience. If my schedule allows, I would love to keep volunteering my time with this organization,” says Stone. 

She spent the summer interning at KPMG, and in the fall, she will become the president of the Graduate Women in Business Club (GWIB).

“GWIB was founded to provide a supportive space where women can connect, share experiences, and uplift one another as they navigate their career paths, build confidence, and develop leadership skills in business and beyond,” says Stone. “As president, I’m excited to continue to foster that environment. Graduate school can feel intense and isolating at times, so having a sense of community is important.”

Just Do It!

Changing your career and returning to school can seem daunting. Yet Stone encourages others to make the change.

“There are so many people out there who feel unfulfilled in their careers or just want to enhance their current skills. If you are bold enough to take that first step, that courage can lead to something truly worthwhile,” she says.

Once accepted into a program, she recommends leaning on peers and professors and taking advantage of all available opportunities: “Remember, you are not alone!”