Chaeyun Kim didn't walk into Mason Korea knowing she'd become a certified public accountant. Like many students, she arrived with a plan — and then discovered something better.
Kim enrolled in the business program with a concentration in marketing. But Mason Korea's curriculum, designed to give students broad exposure across business disciplines, opened a door she hadn't expected. In her sophomore year, she took ACCT 203 with Jenny Lee, Professor of Accounting, and excelled. More than the grade, she found herself genuinely drawn to the subject.
Lee noticed. She encouraged Kim to consider switching her concentration and guided her through the process, becoming a mentor who would shape the rest of Kim's academic journey.
With continued support from Lee and the Career Development Center, Kim mapped out an ambitious plan: take a one-year leave of absence to sit for all sections of the AICPA exam — one of the most rigorous professional certifications in the field. She passed. Upon returning to campus, she completed advanced accounting coursework and served as Lee's teaching assistant, deepening her expertise while giving back to the student community.
Financial support made it all possible, too. Kim was admitted with one of Mason Korea's largest entrance scholarships, and when she transitioned to the Fairfax campus, additional scholarships from Mason Korea and the Costello College of Business helped her stay focused. "The close faculty support and scholarship opportunities at Mason Korea allowed me to focus fully on discovering my strengths," she said.
Kim graduated in Fall 2025 and is now working at CKP, LLP — the largest Korean-American accounting firm in the U.S. Looking back, she's clear about what made the difference: "None of this would have been possible without Mason Korea's strong student support system and the faculty members who genuinely care about students' academic and professional success."
Her advice to current students? "Every experience I had at Mason Korea was meaningful. I hope other MK students take full advantage of the opportunities available. Faculty and staff are always ready to support students who take initiative."
March 19, 2026