成人AV视频 senior鈥檚 four career-defining internships help land full-time accounting job before graduating
成人AV视频 accounting and finance student Abraham Ovalle is on the fast track to becoming a successful tax accountant.
Originally from New Jersey, Ovalle moved to Jacksonville with his family five years ago. When it came to choosing where he wanted to study, 成人AV视频 was the natural choice for him, not only because of its proximity to his loved ones but also because of its tight-knit community. He quickly found his place within the Osprey family, taking full advantage of the University’s resources and student organizations.
Seeing the many experiential learning opportunities offered on campus, he dove into involvement with multiple student clubs and landed four career-defining internships with large locally based financial firms, leading directly to him landing a full-time accounting position before graduating.
“There’s lots of opportunities at 成人AV视频 that students should be aware of,” said Ovalle. “Attending career fairs and events on campus opened so many doors for me.”
The flight path to accounting
Numbers never came easy to Ovalle when he was younger, but the flashing green and red of the stock market always held his fascination.
“I wasn’t one of those students who could easily do math in my head,” Ovalle said. “I was in the lowest math classes throughout high school, but I had a passion for learning about the stock market, which grew as I gained more experience in finance at 成人AV视频.”
His dedication to continuously learn and grow has been evident to his mentors, including Dr. Inga Timmerman, assistant professor of Accounting & Finance and faculty advisor of the 成人AV视频 Finance and Investment Society (FIS).
“Abraham’s relentless drive for excellence is evident both in the classroom and in his role as president of the Financial and Investment Society,” said Timmerman. “He consistently goes above and beyond to contribute to the success of his peers and the academic community.”
Outside the classroom, Ovalle gained invaluable hands-on experience through four internships spanning private equity, corporate finance and accounting. He started at Hancock Askew & Co. in spring 2023, followed by a corporate finance internship at Dun & Bradstreet in summer 2023. His journey then took him into private equity before ultimately returning to Hancock Askew & Co. in early 2024, having discovered his passion for tax accounting.
“I transitioned to accounting after my internship with Hancock Askew & Co., because I felt like it fit better with my personality type and interests,” said Ovalle. “It’s a field that takes time to achieve, but it’s reliable.”
Mentor Kelly Trainor, a staff tax accountant at Hancock Askew, reflected on Ovalle’s growth during the internship.
“It’s been a privilege to train someone who shows up every day eager to learn and grow,” Trainor said. “Abraham embodies a growth mindset and shows the importance of having faith in the journey. I’m so incredibly proud of how far he’s come, and I am so excited to see all that has yet to come in his future.”
Making use of his resources
Ovalle’s involvement at 成人AV视频 has been extensive and impactful.
During his sophomore year, Ovalle was searching for an opportunity to be more active on campus and meet more friends, while also learning more about finance that wasn’t taught in traditional academia. That’s when he got involved with FIS. Since joining, he has served as the vice president, president and chairman of the board for the society, honing his leadership skills and strengthening the bridge between the Jacksonville business community and 成人AV视频 students.
He also contributed to the Osprey Financial Group (OFG), a student-managed investment fund, where he helped manage real portfolios for the University’s endowment throughout his senior year.
“I always heard about the Osprey Financial Group from students who had already graduated,” Ovalle said. “I knew it was one of the most prestigious groups at 成人AV视频 that studies the market, and I really wanted to be a part of it. It gave me the opportunity to be part of a legacy bigger than myself.”
Additionally, his membership in Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honors society, further solidified his commitment to academic excellence, and combined with his internships, provided him with a broader understanding of the business world.
“Abraham is a go-to guy,” said Dr. Reinhold Lamb, Finance professor and director of the Osprey Financial Group. “His work was always thorough and professional, and he took advantage of all the opportunities available to him.”
Ovalle’s hard work earned him numerous accolades, including nine scholarships and a consistent place on the Dean’s List. He credits much of his success to the mentorship of 成人AV视频 faculty, including professors Timmerman, Lamb, Dr. Oliver Schnusenberg, Jeff Gottlieb, Corey Jones, Mark Addington, Ron Heymann and Dr. Ash Faulkner. Their dedication to student success, Ovalle said, was instrumental in his development.
Moving forward
Ovalle was the chosen student speaker to present his inspiring student success story at the opening of the Coggin College of Business groundbreaking event last fall.
As for his next chapter, Ovalle plans to become a full-time tax accountant at Hancock Askew & Co. while studying for his CPA license. With a strong foundation in leadership and management, he envisions himself in a managerial role within the next couple of years, leading a team of accountants in Jacksonville and giving back to the 成人AV视频 community.
“The time and energy that professors pour into students and organizations is what makes this University so special,” Ovalle said. “It inspires me to become a mentor and support future graduating classes.”
Ovalle leaves 成人AV视频 with not just a degree, but a wealth of experiences, meaningful connections and a clear vision for his future.