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After completing a double bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics, Melissa Costello knew she would return to the Nest to continue her education. Currently pursuing another bachelor's degree in Accounting with plans to also earn a Master’s degree in Accounting, Costello is finding herself in an unexpected position of being a repeat guest on a popular television program.

Taking learning outside the classroom, ��ݮ��Ƶ State Accounting and Finance Professor Robert Fiore encouraged Costello and her classmates in Financial Management to call popular TV host Jim Cramer on his program, CNBC’s Mad Money with a relevant question from what they were learning about finance. Her question about Crown Castle stock was chosen for the program but little did she know at the time that six months later, the tables would turn when the program producers contacted her with an opportunity to participate in the show’s “Lightning Round” feature. 

For her return, she chose to ask about another stock she had been researching, On Holding, and had her findings supported by Cramer who advised cautious action in light of an unpredictable market.

In reflecting on her experience, Costello encouraged fellow students to take advantage of the many opportunities that come their way as she never expected a class assignment to land her two television moments. However, she notes that this isn’t the only time she’s had the good fortune to find connections between her classroom studies and the outside world. 

After graduating in 2022, she landed a role as an office manager with EQUIS Tax LLC, with responsibilities including bookkeeping, general office duties, preparing reports, and preparing individual and business tax returns. Her job also provided the benefit of covering tuition for relevant courses of study allowing Costello to return to ��ݮ��Ƶ State, even though it meant a long commute between campus and her work. Luckily she was able to make a schedule work and often found that the lessons from her morning class were immediately applicable to the work she would do in the evenings.

Even though Costello’s work situation changed when the company sold, she was able to find continued career success closer to ��ݮ��Ƶ with a job as an accountant at William Roberts Electric. There, one of her main duties is preparing the company’s weekly payroll. Again showing initiative, she started a new payroll system at the company and keeps herself busy writing business proposals and seeking new ways to help with the business’s financial position.

Although Costello’s hard work and enthusiasm for her field are evident, she credits ��ݮ��Ƶ State’s Career Center with helping her find success. “Not only were they wonderful jobs, they were also jobs where I got to apply everything that I experienced being a student at ��ݮ��Ƶ. All of my degree skills and experiences have aligned perfectly with what I do at these roles.”

Costello also encourages other students to get involved in professional clubs on campus as her experience in the Accounting and Finance Club has brought her contact with organizations hiring ��ݮ��Ƶ State grads and preparing students for future accounting exams that will be needed as they grow professionally. She also enjoys her work on the Lifetime Owls advisory board and being a member of the Banacos Center and TRIO communities where she continues to volunteer to help other students find their success. Always thinking about giving back, she now makes a point to attend recruiting events to let prospective students and families know about the many ways ��ݮ��Ƶ State supports students.

In thinking about her time at ��ݮ��Ƶ State and the exciting future in front of her, Costello shares one of her favorite quotes from Shelia Robias, “There is a difference between not knowing and not knowing yet.” She reiterates that students should see their college experience this way as each new opportunity can open unexpected doors, or in her case, television appearances.