Alumni Ambassadors: Dan Tracy

This week’s blog post is a feature on an Alumni Ambassador, who went from his red vest to a suit jacket. Dan Tracey graduated from UMSL in December 2015 after successfully completing the MAcc Program. Dan went on to pass all 4 sections of the CPA exam and currently works for KPMG, one of the big four accounting firms. Dan holds his time at UMSL and as an Ambassador in high regard and took time to offer some advice and insight for current students/Ambassadors.

Q: What was the most important thing you learned as an Ambassador?

A: I think the most important thing I learned as an Ambassador was how to approach and talk with people I had no prior interaction with. At Ambassador events (as I'm sure it is now), you see public figures, head administrators, and special guests and might hold conversations with them. I remember one of the last events I worked was a graduation and ended up having a 20 minute conversation with the keynote speaker about microphones (he was a famous maker of them and did custom designs for famous musicians like Katy Perry and Beyonce). The training and experience I got working as an Ambassador helped me to be comfortable in any situation because you never know when that great opportunity may arise out of a simple conversation.

Q: What advice would you give to current Ambassadors/students?

A: My advice would be to work as many different types of events as you can. Work the Address to the Community, work at the big fundraisers. But find the smaller events that interest you too. Make sure you're getting the best and fun experiences you can while representing UMSL. 

Q: What do you miss most about UMSL?

A: I think what I miss most about UMSL is the people. I worked in the Cashiers Office while I was in school and the Ambassadors program and the thing I'm always curious about is how everyone is doing. I recently had the privilege to represent my employer at UMSL for a networking night and some of my favorite experiences were seeing friends and fellow students and how far they've come in the time I've been gone. 

Q: What is the best part of having earned your degree & starting your profession?

A: The best part of earning my degree and starting in the accounting profession is that I can say, no matter how rough and bumpy the road was, I set a goal, achieved it, and seeing the opportunities that come from it.

Q: What is your best memory of being an Ambassador?

A: My best memory from being an Ambassador was in my first semester as an Ambassador. I attended the Chancellor's Address to the Community and, unbeknownst to me, the Ambos had won a prestigious award as a student organization. We got up on the platform next to the Chancellor, U-System president, and got our picture taken as a group.