A Day in the Life of an MS Audit and Advisory Services Student: Learning, Leading, and Building Toward the Future

By Karan Chadda, MS Audit and Advisory Services student and KGSB ambassador

Graduate school is about much more than attending classes. It’s a journey of building skills, leadership, and career momentum every day. As an MS student balancing academics, student organizations, and career preparation, I’ve learned that structure and intentionality are key to making the most of this experience.

Staying organized and taking advantage of resources

My day starts early, 5:30 AM to be exact. I use the quiet morning hours to plan my schedule, set daily goals, and prioritize tasks. One personal rule I follow religiously is to complete assignments at least one day before they are due. This approach reduces last-minute stress and gives me time to refine my work whenever needed.

Graduate school is about much more than attending classes. It’s a journey of building skills, leadership, and career momentum every day.

Before starting my day, I check my university Outlook inbox, DeHub notifications, and Handshake alerts to stay up to date on upcoming events, deadlines, and career opportunities. I rely heavily on platforms like 12Twenty, Handshake where I track internship applications, and D2L for managing all course communications and materials. Since most of my classes are in the evenings, I utilize my mornings and afternoons for everything else like studying at the library, working on group projects, attending student organization meetings, participating in events across both Loop Campus and Lincoln Park Campus, and preparing for upcoming opportunities. This structure allows me to fully engage in both academic and professional development activities.

Life outside the classroom

I’m actively involved in two student organizations, where I help plan events, collaborate with students from diverse nationalities and academic programs, and participate in initiatives that build leadership and teamwork skills. These experiences have broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to work across different backgrounds and ideas. In addition to student organization work, I make a conscious effort to utilize university resources. I visit the Career Management Center (CMC) about once a month for career advising, resume reviews, and long-term planning. I also use resume and interview preparation resources as needed, making sure my professional materials are polished and ready whenever opportunities arise.

A highlight from today was attending a Global Conversation on Clean Energy Solutions for Cars, which brought together students from India, Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Chicago. Listening to perspectives on clean energy innovation, infrastructure challenges, and future transportation trends broadened my understanding of how interconnected and regionally diverse global solutions must be. Engaging with peers from different parts of the world added a new dimension to my learning outside the classroom.

Finding balance

Every class, event, and conversation are helping shape the professional I aim to become, one step at a time, one day at a time.

In the evenings, I attend my in-person, online synchronous, or asynchronous classes. I always prefer attending sessions in person, as it creates stronger engagement with the subject, professors, and classmates. Evening classes allow me to concentrate fully, building on the work and preparation I’ve done throughout the day.

Having a balance between structured evening classes, morning and afternoon leadership activities, and continuous career development has made my MS journey both dynamic and rewarding. Every class, event, and conversation are helping shape the professional I aim to become, one step at a time, one day at a time.

About the author

Karan (Kay) Chadda, an international student originally from Chandigarh, India, graduated in Spring 2025 with a Master’s in Audit and Advisory Services from DePaul University in Chicago. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Illinois with a strong passion for corporate governance, internal controls, and advisory services. Post-graduation, Kay plans to work in the corporate audit or advisory field, helping organizations improve financial integrity and risk management. Outside of work, he enjoys running by Lake Michigan, exploring Chicago’s architecture, discovering new food spots, and keeping up with global business trends.