Making Accounting Click
Christal Wong
Senior Associate, PwC
Class of 2022
BBA/MBA in Public Accounting
After graduating from the Lubin School of Business with her BBA, Christal Wong kept the momentum going and is now gearing up to graduate with her MBA in Public Accounting in May 2022. After juggling competitive sports, internships, and working on the Pleasantville campus, Christal now has a full-time job waiting for her at PwC starting in January 2023.
Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?
I chose Pace University because it allowed me to continue my passion of playing volleyball competitively. I also love that the class sizes are smaller than other universities, so I have a better chance of developing stronger relationships with my professors and peers. Alumni relations, networking events, and career resources made Pace and Lubin very attractive to me, as well. The campus is also beautiful and the plethora of study rooms incentivized me to sit down and utilize the tools to prepare for my tests.
After receiving your BBA from Lubin, you decided to return for your MBA in Accounting. What inspired you to continue your education at Lubin?
Initially, I was only going to pursue a bachelor's degree and graduate in 4 years, but I saw how great Lubin's combined BBA/MBA program was and figured I might as well get my masters, especially if I needed 150 credits to become a certified public accountant (CPA). I haven't decided my endgame yet but having a master's degree and being a CPA could open more doors for me in the future. My parents, who learned English as a second language, both achieved their bachelor's degrees, which inspired me to go above and beyond since they gave me the opportunity to aim higher. I want to show them that they did a good job raising me.
Not only are you a public accounting student, but you are also an accounting tutor on campus. Why was it important for you to get involved to help your peers better understand accounting?
I remember struggling with my classes when I first started out and then having several "aha" moments after either sitting by myself, staring at a textbook for hours, or with the help of a tutor or professor. I want to be able to help others reach that "aha" moment sooner and to provide them with another resource to succeed, so they don't feel like they're alone. Since I had people there to help me, I want to pay it forward and help others who may be struggling or just need some additional support. Having a mentor or role model helps students gain confidence to get through whatever challenge they are facing at the moment.
You were a member of the Pace University volleyball team. What did you learn from being on a team?
Being a member of a sports team improved my communications skills and showed me the importance of being a team player. It helped me become more responsible—I had to balance my priorities and practice time management to do well on and off the court. I also learned the importance of working with those from different backgrounds and setting aside differences to achieve a common goal. Being on the team made me a more confident and mentally strong person.
On top of being a student-athlete, you also held internships at PepsiCo and PwC and worked on campus as a PaceFit employee, student assistant, and accounting tutor. You are also the recipient of Lubin's Scholastic Achievement Award. What motivates you to work hard?
What motivates me to work hard is definitely my parents and making them proud. They are immigrants from China working to provide my brother and me with more opportunities. Seeing how hard they work inspires me to do the same. I have a lot of support from my friends, family, and Lubin faculty, so I don't want to let them down. I also naturally like to keep myself busy and challenge myself. I have always felt like an underdog, so I like proving to myself and others that I can do whatever I set my mind to if I work hard enough, which hopefully shows other underdogs that they can do it too.
Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?
Take advantage of all the resources provided by Pace University and Lubin. Be proactive in furthering your career and expanding your network. There will times where you are stressed, confused, or overwhelmed, but just try to do your best. Everything has a funny way of working out in the end. Making connections and having a good support system will make a huge difference in your time at the university.
Take advantage of all the resources provided by Pace University and Lubin. Be proactive in furthering your career and expanding your network. Making connections and having a good support system will make a huge difference in your time at the university.
What does #LubinLife mean to you?
To me, #LubinLife means being open-minded and willing to learn and absorb new information. It means putting yourself out there and moving out of your comfort zone by engaging with other members of the community to continue growing as a professional and individual.
Do you have any post-graduation plans that you would like to share?
I plan on passing the remainder of the CPA parts by the end of 2022 and traveling as much as possible before working full-time at PwC starting in January of 2023. I want to learn Mandarin, as well. I plan on being a mentor and will probably be back at Pace once in a while to provide advice and answer questions.
Connect with Christal:
Instagram: @christahhhl
LinkedIn: Christal-Wong