Haslam College of Business - UT Haslam Accounting and Information Management Department Hosts First Early Career Leadership Conference

On April 18, the Department of Accounting and Information Management (AIM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business hosted its inaugural AIM Early Career Leadership Conference. Created for alumni at the beginning of their professional journeys, the conference examined what it means to build a meaningful career in accounting and beyond.

The event was held in the heart of campus in UT’s student union and featured a keynote address from Meg Myers Morgan, associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, two workshops and an alumni panel. The day concluded with an evening networking social. Though focused on alumni, faculty, staff and current and future Master of Accountancy (MAcc) students also attended, making for a dynamic mix.

All in for Alumni Support

AIM faculty worked with their Early Career Accounting Alumni Board to design the conference. They started with a basic question: “What are the biggest challenges facing early career accounting alumni, and how can we help?”

Addressing the significant challenge of developing confidence and negotiating, Myers Morgan, who is an author and professional speaker, delivered “Know Your Worth,” a high-energy, engaging keynote address on the importance of clarifying asks and negotiating for what professionals want out of their lives and careers. Myers Morgan’s talk combined practical advice with personal storytelling to help attendees reflect on how they want their careers to feel.

The conference’s communal, supportive nature and the Volunteer Spirit of all attendees impressed the speaker.

“I was proud to be part of an event so deeply committed to students’ continued success,” she said. “Every person I interacted with — faculty, staff, students or alumni — showed me this was a community, not an institution. You could feel the collective spirit from the stage.”

Career-Focused

After her keynote, Myers Morgan led a workshop on time blocking and negotiating, which future MAcc student Diane Jones-Lawhern particularly enjoyed. She found Myers Morgan’s presentation of her experiences funny and informative.

“The advice she gave on time blocking and going into a negotiation with specific quantifiable data to present was insightful,” said Jones-Lawhern. “When she stated that we should not assume our leaders and co-workers know the work we do, it was as if a lightbulb went off in my head! I learned so much from her, and I relearned much I had forgotten over the years.”

Alumni then took the stage to share their experiences on navigating career transitions. Moderated by Robert Fuller, EY Professor of Accounting, the panel included Miranda Falcon (HCB, ’20: MAcc, ’21), Alicia Fuller (MAcc, ’22), Teresa McClung (HCB, ’11; MAcc, ’12) and Connor Mykleby (HCB, ’16, MAcc, ’17). Engaging in an honest dialogue with fellow alumni and current students, the panelists explained how they’ve handled changing roles or companies, as well as the challenges that accompany those transitions.

“I was very proud of our alumni for sharing candid insights from their own potentially challenging career transitions,” said Fuller. “It was equally rewarding to see them turn those experiences into thoughtful, practical advice for our conference attendees.”

The alumni panel helped MAcc student Antonyio Walker prepare for entering the job market.

“My favorite part of the conference was learning from the perspectives of alumni,” he said. “As someone who will soon be starting their career, it was awesome to hear others express how they’ve navigated their careers thus far.”

Falcon appreciated the student perspective just as much.

“I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the upcoming and current MAcc students,” she said. “They were very open when seeking advice on negotiation strategies and how to handle specific situations in the corporate world. Their drive to better themselves was truly contagious.”

A Day of Networking

The conference’s final workshop, “Building Your Vol Network,” gave attendees a chance to find and network with fellow Vols who have similar career aspirations or geographic interests.

Moderated by Lauren Cunningham, Cheryl Massingale Business Faculty Scholar and Keith Stanga Professor of Accounting, the alumni workshop co-hosts were Bridget Bigden (MAcc, ’24), John Paxton (HCB, ’22; MAcc, ’23), Reid Foust (HCB, ’16; MAcc, ’18) and Wayne Taylor (HCB, ’16; MAcc, ’17). The alumni’s advice was a highlight for students.

“I loved switching tables to discuss tax versus audit with others who are currently in the field or who have completed internships in those fields,” said Jones-Lawhern.

The inaugural AIM Early Career Leadership Conference wrapped up with a social outside the Haslam Business Building, providing a chance for connection in a setting familiar to students and alumni alike. For many alumni, the conference brought back fond memories of their time on Rocky Top and reminded them of the importance of staying connected with fellow Vols.

“I enjoyed being back on campus and reconnecting with Vols,” Mykleby said. “It was fun to be in an environment that wasn’t defined by the role you hold or firm you work for; instead, we were gathered in our commonalities. The importance of connections and networking has never been higher than it is today!”

The AIM Early Career Leadership Conference will return in 2027. Register for notifications about the Early Career Accounting Alumni Board and the Early Career Leadership Conference here.

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Contact:

Leah McAmis, senior editor, leah@utk.edu