Hazel Dai's academic journey began in a rather traditional way: She enrolled at the University of California, Irvine, and earned a degree in Economics. She quickly realized, however, that an Economics degree alone did not provide her with the tangible skills needed to excel in a competitive job market.
"When I graduated, I was working in customer service, and although I had a degree, I felt I needed a skill that I could sell in an interview, like an engineer would," Hazel explained. "I chose to pursue accounting because it's a universal language that offers job stability and opportunities everywhere."
Recognizing the need for additional qualifications, Hazel turned to Irvine Valley College (IVC) to gain the necessary units in accounting to qualify for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and ultimately achieve her goal of gaining employment with one of the so-called “Big 4” accounting firms: Deloitte, PwC, KPMG or EY.
"Getting into a Big 4 firm is a goal for many accounting students because these firms are globally recognized and provide excellent exit opportunities," Hazel explained. "Being a former Big 4 employee makes it easier to move into a Fortune 500 company. A CPA is a very useful credential which adds value when you’re looking for a job and to have salary increases,” she continued. “Even if you go to other states or work abroad, you can keep your CPA license. It shows you already have sufficient knowledge and experience in accounting and have passed the exam.”
Hazel said she was drawn to IVC for its smaller class sizes and a more personalized education.
"I was working part-time for a CPA firm while studying” she continued, “and the professors at IVC, many of whom worked in the industry, provided invaluable guidance."
One such professor was Dr. Donald Bradshaw, who played a pivotal role in Hazel's academic and professional journey. "When I was confused about the requirements for the CPA exam, Dr. Bradshaw invited me to his office and walked me through what I needed to do," Hazel recalled. "Even before I was an IVC student, he was there to help me."
IVC's curriculum helped Hazel familiarize herself with the language of accounting, even though the more technical aspects of the CPA exam required additional study materials. "The education at IVC gave me a good foundation, and about 40% of it overlapped with the exam content," she said. After completing her studies at IVC in 2017, Hazel passed the CPA exam and began her professional journey in public accounting.
Her career started at a small Japanese CPA firm in Irvine, which was a strategic move to gain practical experience while studying. After earning her CPA license, Hazel transitioned to EY as an experienced hire, where she worked for three years.
Today, Hazel works as a senior accountant at Ingram Micro Inc., an Irvine-based distributor of information technology products and services. Her goal is to become an accounting manager, a position she believes offers the best work-life balance. "In larger firms, higher positions often come with more responsibilities and longer hours," Hazel said. "But I'm still open to opportunities that might allow me to move up further."
Hazel's journey is a testament to the strategic use of education and work experience to build a successful career. She credits IVC for providing a solid educational foundation and supportive environment that helped her achieve her goals. "IVC was crucial in my journey to becoming a CPA," Hazel said. "The personalized attention from professors like Dr. Bradshaw made a significant difference."
Her advice to students considering a similar path is straightforward: "When people are kids, they usually want to be astronauts or police officers, but no kids ever say ‘I want to be an accountant,’” she joked. “But as an accountant, maybe you could find an opportunity with NASA, SpaceX, or law enforcement. With accounting you have opportunities anywhere and in any industry. For me, it was IT. You can choose which industry you want to associate with because there are always opportunities for you.”
“If you're willing to put in the work, you can achieve your goals,” she added. “IVC is a great place to start, especially if you're looking for a more personalized educational experience."