Some people spend years trying to figure out which career to pursue. Others explore a variety of interests throughout their life.
Not for CSU Global alumna Stephanie Jenkins. Accounting is in her DNA. Jenkins, who graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from CSU Global in 2020, comes from a long line of accountants and computer programmers. Even as a high school student, Jenkins assisted her mom with the bookkeeping of her dad’s business.
“My philosophy is to get any and all experience, even if it doesn't necessarily apply to your life path. There will always be a takeaway.”
But after high school, pursuing a bachelor’s degree wasn’t on Jenkins’ radar. “I didn't really want to focus on school,” she admitted. “I was super hungry to just learn in real life.”
A catalyst for change occurred in 2018 when the consulting company Jenkins was working for went through a round of layoffs. Three weeks later, Jenkins’ sister-in-law passed away. While grateful for the extra time she was able to spend with family, it gave Jenkins a new perspective on life. “I loved what I was doing. I loved accounting,” she said. “But I knew it was time to pursue a degree.”
Jenkins was able to transfer previously earned credits to CSU Global and earned her B.S. in Accounting in just 18 months. As a self-described “do-or-die, all-in type of person,” Jenkins scaled back her career while taking classes. She did some part-time IT work to help pay the bills while pursuing her degree, but Jenkins explained that it was important to her to take a step back from accounting work and immerse herself in her studies.
“For me, CSU Global was one of the greatest experiences.”
Despite shattering her ankle during her last term and submitting most of her assignments from bed, Jenkins still received straight As. Upon graduation, Jenkins continued to work for the IT company, along with some temporary assignments to gain more real-world experience. While she loved the work, Jenkins began to explore the idea of leaving the corporate world to work for a nonprofit organization.
“One of my closest friends was on her way to becoming a therapist,” said Jenkins. “She had been working for a nonprofit and regularly shared with me the ups and downs of working for the organization.” A few months later, the same friend shared that her organization’s fiscal and business manager was retiring – and Jenkins sent in her résumé.
Jenkins accepted an offer to become the Chief Financial Officer of New Morning Youth and Family Services – a 24-hour emergency youth shelter, clinic, and counseling service that has served California’s El Dorado County for over 50 years.
“New Morning was open and honest about their needs,” said Jenkins. “They told me they needed someone to focus on the bottom line, with an eye toward gaining profit.” Jenkins was up for the challenge. Since joining the organization in March 2022, she has worked diligently with its Board of Directors to improve financials and adjust daily and long-term operations.
“I'm not afraid of hard work because I love what I do. I get to make a difference in the community.”
While the hours are long and the work can be taxing, Jenkins is exactly where she wants to be. “I get to see children come and go from their therapy sessions and witness how they light up after receiving our services. While I’m not directly serving them, I know that every dollar I can allocate differently will go back to them.” As for her thoughts on returning to the corporate world? Jenkins says she’ll never go back.
As Jenkins reflects on the past few years, she credits her success with saying “yes.” “What helped me land my role was collecting such a variety of experiences. I didn’t turn down any opportunity, from helping a neighbor organize her receipts to working at Starbucks and an animal feed store.” She advises current CSU Global students to do the same. “Learn from anything and everything.”
Stephanie Jenkins lives in California with her husband and rescue pets. In her spare time, she enjoys renovating their home, exploring the area, reading, and supporting the local community. To learn more about New Morning and its efforts, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
December 8, 2022