Ryan Brown

1. Hi Ryan, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. So I see that you’ve decided to take on two degrees. What originally made you want to double major in Accounting and Finance?

I originally started just as an Accounting major – not really knowing what exactly I had ahead of me, or what I specifically wanted to do. I have always had a way with numbers and enjoyed math, and business intrigues me. After learning more about the knowledge it takes to be successful in the business world, I started to understand how important my accounting classes were. I ended up taking a finance class during my junior year and saw how the two of those complemented each other so well. Given the fact I was on-track for 150 credits upon graduation, I thought adding this major would serve as a bonus.

2. Pretty great accomplishment to manage that workload while maintaining Dean’s List status each semester. Were you able to find time to enjoy any campus life outside of the classroom?

Thank you. It took about a year into college for me to find a balance with my work, but eventually I found myself getting involved in many different organizations and events on campus. I enrolled in the Business Leader Development Program (BLDP) which taught me about leadership and how to break out of my comfort zone. A few years later, I accepted the President position for Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) and helped bring the organization back to fruition. I also became a member of the Student Finance Association and served on the School of Business Dean Search Committee. This year, I am serving on the newly-created Student Experience & Impact Committee, and working with Dean Adya and some talented peers to start the first-ever SBC Student Advisory Board.

3. That’s great you were able to remain so involved on-campus. As we begin to look beyond Commencement, did any of this impact your professional life?

My experiences at Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC) have helped me off-campus as much as they have helped me while participating on-campus. During one of my BLDP assignments, I had the pleasure of introducing Adrienne Dell’Olio, the Director of Marketing at Alloy Silverstein, to our class. That simple one-minute interaction ended up serving me well as I met with the company at our Career Fair weeks later and was offered a Scanning Internship for tax season. RSBC has had a long-lasting relationship with Alloy Silverstein for internships and many alumni end up working there. This was a perfect opportunity for me to obtain my first real experience in a business setting and learn about the industry.

4. That sounds like a great experience. It’s always beneficial to experience the industry prior to entering it as a professional. So, I know you mentioned you are graduating this Spring, what lies ahead for you?

Yes, I will be graduating this Spring with 150 credits. While taking time to study and prepare for the CPA Exam, I will also be preparing for my first full-time job. I recently accepted a Staff Position on the Audit & Accounting Team at Kreischer Miller, which will begin in October. I can’t wait to begin my career at such a prestigious firm that will utilize my talents while helping me grow as a professional and an individual. I am also hoping to pass my CPA within the next year or two.

5. Congratulations! Sounds like that hard-work is paying off. Our Ragone Center for Accounting Excellence offers free CPA prep classes. I hope you will have time to take advantage of that asset.

If any free time exists, what do you do for fun?

Outside of school, I have always been a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan. Whether in the stadium or at home on my couch, it has always been a favorite hobby of mine. Fortunately, I found a way to make my passion into a ‘side-hustle’ during the pandemic. Last year I started my own YouTube Channel/Podcast called ‘Philly Take with RB’, where I provide my sports insights with daily videos or live streams on many topics involving our four main sports teams: Eagles, Sixers, Phillies, & Flyers. The channel recently hit its one-year anniversary and has amassed 6,000 subscribers and 800,000 total views. I am excited to see its continued growth in the future.

6. Love it! We can’t wait to watch your channel grow over time. One last question – Now that you’ve almost reached the finish line, what advice would you give to the current Pennsauken High School senior class?

My two biggest pieces of advice would be to try to figure out what makes you truly happy, and always be confident in yourself. If you have an idea or passion, go for it. With goals in mind and the belief that you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to, there is nothing that will get in the way of your success. Hard work is essential and achievement does not come overnight. Often those that fail either don’t stay consistent because they don’t believe in their abilities or because they don’t see results right away. Make the most of every opportunity, dream big, and never give up.