Accounting Major Finds Her Purpose through St. John’s Many Resources

When Razia Rahman first arrived on the Queens, NY, campus of St. John’s University, she was “confused and unsure” about what she wanted to do for the next four years of her undergraduate career. Then, a few transformational events came her way.

“During the spring semester of my first year at St. John’s, I met a student in my accounting class. She was from Bangladesh and was also an accounting major, just like me. I felt seen,” said Razia, who is the first in her family to pursue a college degree and is the child of immigrants from Bangladesh. “I had not met anyone like me in my classroom before, and it felt nice to not feel alone.”

To combat her feelings of being uncertain, Razia also joined the University’s first-year student mentorship program, where older students are paired with their first-year counterparts to help them navigate college life. “My mentor was a senior who helped me put my best foot forward in building the foundations of my career,” she said.

“He encouraged me to join the Women on Wall Street club, and to volunteer as a tax preparer at the Food Bank For New York City to help inner-city families. I got out of my comfort zone and reached my full potential. Last fall, I interned at a hedge fund in Manhattan! Without St. John’s, I believe I would have not been able to have this opportunity.”

Now in her junior year, Razia expects to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 2024 at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. She plans to earn a Master of Science degree in Accounting in 2025.

Razia’s own decision to volunteer in the mentorship program was a natural choice for the aspiring accountant. “An important part of the St. John’s mission is giving back to our community. After all the help I had received, I wanted to do the same for new students,” she explained. “In my capacity as a mentor, I saw many students come to St. John’s from backgrounds that needed some extra help.. They are welcomed here and are offered assistance to build the foundation for their future careers.”

Razia is additionally thankful to be a recipient of scholarships to help fund her education. “With the aid of scholarships, I was able to choose my career path more easily,” she said.

“Before St. John’s, I used to be very shy and inside my own shell,” Razia explained. “But the endless opportunities and the welcoming culture that St. John’s provides allows me to grow and expand my knowledge, my life experience, and my world.”