Emma Houser

A member of Alpha Sigma Nu and Quinlan’s Honors Program, Emma was one of two Quinlan students to participate in the Jesuit Business Student Alliance Leadership Conference last year at Creighton University and represented Loyola at the International Business Case Competition at San Diego State University in fall 2018.

Since she arrived as a freshman, Emma has been active on and off campus: She was a first-year ambassador for the admissions office, has been co-president of the accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi since her sophomore year, has tutored students in accounting, and was a teaching assistant for intermediate accounting in her junior year. In the summer of 2017, Emma completed a risk management internship at the insurance company TrueNorth, and last summer was a risk, internal audit, and cybersecurity intern at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP.

Here, Emma talks about Loyola’s support system and how her professors sparked her passion for teaching.

What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?

I have been involved with Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honors society at Loyola, for three years. The society has taught me how to be a leader in challenging times. Our society was going through a phase of low member involvement when I became co-president. We had to implement new programs and take actions to make the organization stronger than before. Patience, creativity, determination, and student engagement were needed to make the organization successful.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Jesuit education?

The most valuable lesson I have learned at Loyola is that we are all co-dependent on one another. We need to build each other up to thrive and make the world a better place. No one alone can make a change and be the person they aspire to be. Support is needed in all areas of life and it is our duty as human beings to help others when we can. Loyola has an amazing support system where students, faculty, and staff work together to help each other be the best version of themselves.

What do you hope to achieve after college, and how has Loyola prepared you?

After college, I hope to work in public accounting for a few years and then pursue a career as a college professor. Loyola has prepared me by allowing me to gain experience and realize my love of teaching accounting. I had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for the intermediate accounting class and tutor the business honors freshmen in their introductory accounting classes. With their passion for teaching, professors at Loyola have inspired and encouraged me to pursue a career in academia. The discussions I have had with them have introduced me to the many facets in accounting.