Tony Dong

Professor Kirk Snyder

BUAD 252
MY SUCCESS PLAN
MY CAREER GOAL AT GRADUATION:
At graduation, I want to have a full time offer at either a big four accounting firm if I
choose to go through with my Business Administration and Accounting double major. I
realize that even though I do not see myself working at a big four for an extended period
of time, the exit opportunities available after working there for several years are amazing
should I choose to pursue another field. In the chance that I decide that I do not want to
do accounting or decide not to go to a big four firm, I want to end up on the buy-side of
finance at a private equity, venture capital, or hedge fund. While I find investment
banking incredibly interesting because of my current internship, I think that the bulgebracket lifestyle is a bit too intense for me. If anything, I would go ahead and work for a
boutique shop. All in all, I want a full time offer at a reputable firm that will provide me
the tools and resources in which I can learn and grow as a person. I still plan on pursuing
an MBA after working in the field for a couple years, so hopefully I will be skilled
enough at that point to get into a top business school like at Harvard, Stanford, or UPenn.
MY PATH TO GET THERE:
Spring 15
Semester Goal: To successfully lock down a paid summer internship at a firm in New
York City, continue to balance my social, academic, and professional lives, learn how to
perform a full discounted cash flow valuation.
Actions/Steps:

Attend the USC career fair and other networking events

Continue editing my resume and cover letter as I continue to take part in more
activities
Connect with new professionals in the field and continue existing
relationships
Read the investment banking textbook and learn how to do valuations
Continue my internship at CREO Capital advisors to learn more about the
industry

Summer15

Semester Goal: To gain valuable experience at a summer internship that will allow me to
better understand how to value companies and hopefully gain some buy-side experience,
explore the east coast and go to a lot of museums and parks
Actions/Steps:

Continue to expand my network within the finance industry

Keep in touch with professors and USC faculty
Be open-minded in going to new places and trying new things
Update my linked-in account
Apply for Fall internships/jobs or explore electives that will allow me to
explore new professional areas of growth.

Fall 15
Semester Goal: Take upper division finance courses and get better at learning how to do
financial modeling. In addition, I would like to figure out which division of accounting I
would like to pursue should I choose to stick with the major. Continue to next work with
individuals in the field and follow up with previous contacts.
Actions/Steps:

Register for FBE Classes and contact Professor Plotts to go over what classes are
best suited for me
Talk to professionals in the field of accounting to get a better understanding of
which path will be best for me
Try to connect with one new professional every two weeks through personal
contacts, networking events, or through linked-in
Refine my resume and cover letter
Always be on the lookout for potential summer internships

Spring 16
Semester Goal: Lock down an internship for the summer of 16 that is something I really
want to do. I have been told that the internships during this time are the most important
because they can eventually lead to job offers. Study abroad in Melbourne and become
culturally diverse
Actions/Steps:

Continue networking with professionals in the field and seeking advice

Using resources available to secure an internship for the summer
Explore the continent and be adventurous

Travel to New Zealand and visit Sydney and Perth

Become more cultured and meet people from all around the world
Learn as much as possible about finance and take interesting classes because they
are all pass/fail

Summer 16
Semester Goal: To have a summer internship in New York City at a reputable firm that
will help me grow as an individual and integrate me in the corporate lifestyle. I want to
excel during my internship so that future job offers can be considered.
Actions/Steps:

Secure an internship while I am abroad by early May at the latest

Continue networking with professionals and following up with prior connections
Take electives that are interesting and can help me professionally

Fall 16
Semester Goal: With my new experience at the firm I interned for in the summer,
concentrate more on upper division electives that will align with that same goal. Maintain
a solid GPA.
Actions/Steps:

Manage time efficiently so there is a balance between work and leisure

Consult with counselors to explore extracurricular activities and better gear
myself towards a professional life
Continue to keep existing relationships with previous contacts alive and well
Read one book every month at a minimum

Spring17
Semester Goal: Learn as much as I can about the field that I am planning on going into.
Graduate from USC with honors magne cum laude with either a double degree in
Business Administration and Accounting or a degree in Business Administration and a
minor in Financial Mathematics
Actions/Steps:

Talk to as many people as I can about their own experiences in the specific field
in order to get a better understanding of the culture of the industry

Maintain a high GPA

Stay in contact with close friends/family and maintain professional contacts