Undergraduate Student Perspective: Katherine Huang ’25

Q&A with Accounting Senior Katherine Huang

Katherine Huang is a senior studying accounting and economics. She’s also found many ways to be involved both in and outside of the business school including: acting as the Piccolo Co-Section Leader and Band Ambassador Coordinator for the Band of the Fighting Irish, participant in the Business Honors Program, a peer mentor in Building Bridges, and an Officer and Team Coach for Federal Reserve & Fiscal Challenge.

In the Q&A, Katherine describes what led her to Notre Dame to study business, advice for incoming students, and how she balances her academics and social life at ND.

Q: What drew you to study business at Notre Dame?

Because businesses shape our everyday lives through providing employment as well as the goods and services we use, I always believed that a well-run business can be a powerful force for good. Most people consider this view to be overly optimistic, but Mendoza embraces this perspective and helps us live it out in every aspect of our educational experience. Faith and ethics are integrated into rigorous coursework; through classes and discussions with mentors, I’ve discerned a career path that meaningfully aligns with my vision for growing the good in business. Our alumni also serve as examples of how we can apply these lofty ideas into everyday work. Overall, ND and Mendoza provide a holistic, mission-driven perspective of business that empowered me to take action on these values.

Q: What is your favorite Notre Dame tradition?

The marching band pregame show before the start of every home game! The energy is unmatched as everyone chants when we march the leprechaun down the field, and it’s awesome seeing the student section go crazy as the team runs out of the tunnel.

Q: What is the ONE thing every Notre Dame student needs to check off their ND Bucket List before graduation?

Go explore a new country abroad through ND! It doesn’t have to be for a whole semester; ND has so many international immersion opportunities through summer study abroad, research grants, and week-long trips through various programs and extracurricular clubs. There’s tons of funding around campus for these types of experiences, making them accessible to all. Many of these opportunities might be places you wouldn’t otherwise get to go, so this is the perfect time to try something new, make friends, and have everything planned by the University.

Q: How did you choose your accounting major and what excites you most about it?

I didn’t come to college wanting to study accounting, but was drawn to it during freshman year after talking with guest speakers, upperclassmen, and enjoying the introductory classes. Accounting is a practical way of holding businesses responsible for their impact on society, or at the very least, the information firms chose to tell the public. I liked how accountants get to learn about every aspect of how a business operates, and can work in any industry–making the major a fantastic starting point with lots of future career possibilities. The actual coursework is a perfect blend of quantitative skills, problem-solving and teamwork, which fits my academic strengths.

Accounting also complements my second major, economics, really well. While accounting teaches us how to navigate and report on the business world we live in, economics digs into frameworks that explain why the world works the way it does. Both the accounting and economics departments are fantastic, with passionate professors and a close-knit student community.

Q: How do you balance your (many!) activities with school and building friendships and community at Notre Dame?

There are SO many cool opportunities at ND, so balancing everything is something I’m always trying to improve on! Some things that have helped are:

a) pursuing majors and activities I’m truly passionate about

b) loving, supportive friends that push me to be more disciplined, efficient, and to balance work with fun, and

c) Google Calendar, of course!

Q: What is the Business Honors Program and how has it benefited you?

The Business Honors Program (BHP) has been a formative part of my time in Mendoza! It’s made up of around 60 students per grade. Starting in sophomore year, we take specific courses together and have guest speaker colloquiums, mentorship meetings, service activities, bonding events, and even international trips! My favorite part of the BHP has been discussion-based classes where we consider the moral questions of business. These conversations not only challenge us to view our future careers from a faith-based and impact-oriented perspective, but are also a fun way to get to know my classmates better.

Q: What internships, research, or hands-on projects have you participated in?

I’ve had the opportunity to intern with Deloitte (Audit), KPMG (Forensic Accounting), Glenair (Accounting/Finance Rotation), and conduct sustainability accounting research for my senior thesis. The internships empowered me to put classroom topics in action when reviewing financial statements, investigating white-collar crime, and supporting the implementation of new accounting laws. Conducting research for my senior thesis has been a culmination of the knowledge and skills gained throughout my time at ND into a final project.

Q: What advice would you give to incoming students considering Mendoza?

Dig into your Mendoza classes and major, and find opportunities to grow complementary skill sets from other areas of campus! The beauty of being a Mendoza student at ND is that we can enhance our business knowledge with majors, minors, and extracurriculars from the other colleges. Learn how to code, engage with academic research, try a new language, the opportunities are endless! Not only is it fun to add a liberal-arts twist to your business education, but this exploration will enhance your view of business and expand your career opportunities as well.

“Notre Dame has been a formative, adventure-filled four years of learning and fun beyond my wildest dreams, shared with the best people.”