UCS: Could you provide a brief overview of your career journey after graduating from the Kelley School of Business? What positions or roles have you held?
Anthony: My career journey thus far has been rather brief, having recently graduated just six months ago in May of 2023. I started my career with Heritage Environmental Services in their Leadership & Development Program under their accounting and finance track. Within the program, I will complete three different accounting/finance focused rotations.
UCS: What inspired you to pursue a career in your current industry? Was there a specific experience or moment that sparked your interest?
Anthony: My desire to create a lasting impact through work that I do. Whether at a small or large scale, I was committed to do something that would make me proud and ambitious to come to work every single day. Heritage Environmental Services fulfilled that desire by offering me the opportunity to make a change on a GLOBAL scale. Through innovative environmental solutions, I contribute to protecting human health and the environment.
UCS: How did your education at Kelley prepare you for your current role?
Anthony: It prepared me by simulating real business scenarios through a multitude of exciting projects and assignments. Through the guidance of Kelley professors and their fundamental range of courses, I was a well-rounded professional when I started my career.
UCS: What specific skills or knowledge from your Kelley education have been most valuable in your career?
Anthony: A few soft skills that have been valuable in my career are my strong work ethic, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. The technical skills that have been the most valuable come from everything I learned throughout the challenging, but fundamental accounting curriculum at Kelley. Developing these skills were crucial to be successful in all my business courses and current position.
UCS: Can you share a highlight or accomplishment from your professional journey that you are particularly proud of?
Anthony: A highlight of my professional journey thus far would have to be working directly with the president of the company just 2 months into my role. Although fairly new, one of the top executives of the company, Ernie Walker, gave me an opportunity to showcase one of our company values: problem solving through innovation. Despite me being new, I embraced the challenge and was eager to showcase my capabilities. This project helped consolidate and visualize our waste approval process data for our executive and customer experience team. This project would go on to be published on the company-wide insights dashboard!
UCS: What advice would you give to current Kelley students who are considering a career in your industry?
Anthony: Embrace your personal core values and align yourself with a company that shares some of those values. That will make what you do day-to-day enjoyable and so seamless.
UCS: How has networking and building connections played a role in your career advancement? Any tips for students on effective networking?
Anthony: Building connections and relationships has played a significant role in my career advancement. By building connections, I have found myself looped into projects that would’ve not been on my radar if it wasn’t for my willingness to put myself out there. These projects develop me into a well-rounded professional! Number one tip for effective networking is to maintain a balance of professionalism and authenticity. Be yourself!
UCS: In your opinion, what are the current trends or challenges in your industry that students should be aware of?
Anthony: This industry is very niche. The combination of accounting, finance, and environmental services is something that you do not come across often when looking at a potential career. One of the advantages of working in a niche industry is the continuous opportunity for professional development and growth. However, it’s important to note that a potential challenge is the necessity to invest plenty of time learning before embarking on projects or assignments.
UCS: Can you describe a typical day or week in your current role? What are the main tasks and responsibilities you handle?
Anthony: My current role as a finance representative in a leadership and development program allows for frequent crossover between different finance and accounting departments. For example, one week I can be working on budgeting tasks that fall under FP&A, and during month-end, I can be assisting our staff accountants in closing the books for various locations to distribute financial packages to the executive team. This program allows me to dabble into different areas which molds me into a well-rounded representative.
UCS: How do you maintain a work-life balance in a demanding industry? Any strategies or tips you would like to share?
Anthony: I am able to maintain a very healthy work-life balance by being vocal about my needs to management, but also exhibiting to management that all my work is done in a timely and accurate manner. By building that trust between management and I, I am very satisfied with my work-life balance. It is all about communication and working hard whenever a task is assigned. That is the recipe for never working past your hours!
UCS: Is there anything else you would like to share with current Kelley students who are exploring different industries and career paths?
Anthony: One last piece of advice: always bet on yourself, always be yourself, and everything that you aspire from your future career will find you!
