“When I first started at Shippensburg right out of high school, I knew my college experience would change me. But I didn’t quite know at the time how.”

Lauren Grzyboski came to Shippensburg University from Riverside Junior-Senior High School. In just five years, she had two additional degrees thanks to Ship’s 4+1 program. In May 2019, Grzyboski wrapped up her undergraduate studies with academic Latin honors as an accounting major with minors in both criminal justice and political science. A year later, she received a Master of Business Administration.

Grzyboski knew her choice of Ship was solid because of the AACSB International accreditation held by the John L. Grove College of Business, but her college career was so much more than an excellent classroom experience.

“One of the most surprising aspects of the university from my perspective is the ability it has to allow for you to grow as a person both professionally and personally,” Grzyboski said.

There was no shortage of networking and hands-on opportunities outside the classroom for Grzyboski. During her time at Ship, she complemented her studies with these experiences:

  • Student assistant/work study for Sports Information
  • Academic support proctor for the Department of Athletics
  • Peer mentor for the John L. Grove College of Business
  • Note taker for the Office of Accessibility Resources
  • Member of the Accounting Club
  • Student associate for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
  • Student member for the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Volunteer income tax assistant and tax consultant for low income, the disabled, the elderly and those who aren’t native English speakers on behalf of the IRS
  • Student-athlete for the women’s basketball team for two years
  • Senator for the Student Government Association
  • Member of the Eta Upsilon Chapter of the National Order of Omega
  • Member of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Kappa Beta Gamma
  • Study abroad in eight different European countries
  • Two internships with Simon Lever, LLP
  • An internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
  • Graduate assistant for the John L. Grove College of Business
  • Graduate research assistant for the Criminal Justice Department
  • Representative on the Graduate Student Association Board

While the impressive laundry list of involvement Grzyboski put together may not suit every student, she’s adamant that becoming active is key to success.

“Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone because each and every program that you have the potential of joining might be able to provide you with insights, people and connections that you didn’t quite have before,” Grzyboski said.

Connections Grzyboski made certainly paid off. During the university’s Public Accounting Night, she was able network with representatives from her dream job. The result was a full-time job offer in the forensic consulting division of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP following completion of her studies.

Read more stories from the Class of 2020.