By Vincenza Previte
Walker School of Business
Students, faculty and professors at the Dean’s Welcome Back Reception Friday Aug. 17 at the East Academic Building. Andrea Lobert attended the event.
As the economy worsens and unemployment rises, many may think twice before quitting their full-time job to go back to school. Not Andrea Lobert. Two months ago Lobert quit her job at Michigan’s accounting and business consulting firm Brickley DeLong P.C. to pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Accounting at Webster University.
“I got to a point where I had to decide if that job was what I wanted to do or if I wanted to go a different direction,” the former senior accountant says.
She chose the latter.
After researching different jobs online she realized the competition was stiff and that she needed to pursue a master’s degree in forensic accounting before getting a job in that area.
Lobert says Webster stood out because compared to the other universities she researched it was one of the few that offered a master’s program solely on forensic accounting. She moved to St. Louis as soon as she was accepted into the program.
“Many people I know have been amazed by the fact that I had the guts to quit a secure, full-time job,” Lobert says. “But I just had to take steps to do a job I really liked.”
But forensic accounting is not the first master’s degree program Lobert has pursued. She’s had a wealth of education.
Lobert completed her first master’s degree in accounting at Grand Valley University in Michigan in 2008, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
Lobert, who’s been a St. Louis resident for about a month, says though it’s still too soon to be acquainted with the city, she’s liked what she’s experienced so far.
About two weeks ago, Lobert attended the Dean’s Welcome Back Reception/Happy Hour held at the Walker School of Business and Technology. At the reception, Lobert networked with faculty and professors, and learned about ways to extend her education outside the United States. She also won a raffle to use the dean’s parking spot for Fall II.
“I liked talking to some of the faculty at the reception,” Lobert says. “I also enjoyed networking with professors, and getting to know more about Webster’s study abroad program.”
Once she graduates from Webster, Lobert hopes to find a full-time job in the forensic accounting field. Her expected graduation is December 2013.
For more on the Walker School’s forensic accounting program please contact Denise Harrell.
