Name: Hadley DuVall Vanwey
Graduation Year: 2019
Major: Accounting
Current Position: Assurance Senior Associate
City and State: Naples, Florida
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
After graduating in 2019, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia and received my CPA license. In January 2020, I started working for a top public accounting firm, RSM, as an auditor in the assurance practice. In my day to day, I meet with clients to serve their needs and to protect the shareholders.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
I loved my years at Evangel. My favorite part about Evangel that I have taken with me, is my life-long Christian friends, ESGA, and being an EU host. The best part about being on campus was that I got to do life with my best friends every day. Now we do not live across the dorm from each other; we all live states away, but we take special opportunities to visit each other! I will always cherish being a part of Senate and dressing up professionally for its Monday night meetings. It was always exciting being an EU host because I loved to learn about the potential students’ dreams.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
Evangel laid a foundation for me to receive a quality education, skill set, and worldview that helped launch me into my career. Evangel taught me how to hold strong to my Christian values as I moved into corporate America. I am relatively young in my career and am still developing my calling with the foundation Evangel help me build.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
Evangel provided a lot of opportunities for me to grow in my leadership abilities. Being a part of clubs and organizations where I had to work in teams, lead teams, and solve problems taught me how to work well with others and communicate. Starting off in my career, I was the newbie taking direction and learning from the ones above me. Now, I am still learning from those above me, but I also have people under me that I am leading and teaching. Evangel gave me opportunities to develop skills that have made me more equipped for where I am today.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
If you find the transition from college to the workforce difficult, do not let it discourage you. Try to learn from your mistakes the first time around and be teachable. As you gain more experience your outlook on your work and performance will continuously improve.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
I am a part of the recruiting team for interns at work. I meet with students so that I may get to know them and see if they would be a good fit for my company. I look for someone who has communication skills and ambition for their career in accounting. During an internship, I look for individuals that are team players, have integrity, and a positive attitude. I also pay attention to their excel skills because in my industry that is an important skill to have.