From the bustling streets of Kanagawa, Japan, to the vibrant energy of KPMG’s New York City office, Mayu Shioda’s journey is a powerful testament to the strength of perseverance and the magic of unwavering determination. In 2019, a young and ambitious Mayu made a life-altering decision to move to Missouri, embracing the challenge of adapting to a new culture and language at Lindenwood University’s Accounting program. Her transition was far from easy, yet, through these experiences, Mayu’s gratitude for the opportunities she’s had and her appreciation of the accounting profession have only deepened, making her a shining example of UWorld’s Four for 2024 CPA scholarship recipients.
A Career with KPMG, CPA Exam Challenges, & Determined Resilience
Graduating from Lindenwood in 2021, Mayu embarked on her professional journey with KPMG LLP in New York as an Audit Associate. Mayu knew securing a position at one of the Big Four accounting firms was a huge achievement, and she was excited to begin her accounting career with such a prestigious company. Yet, her aspirations to succeed long-term with KPMG inspired her to reach further, and so she also looked ahead toward conquering the CPA Exam. This goal, however, presented its own set of challenges, from navigating the rigorous exam preparation to overcoming the added layer of language barriers. Mayu’s path was fraught with obstacles, including a daunting visa issue that saw her returning to Japan for a year, testing her resilience further.
But hope glimmered on the horizon when Mayu participated in a live bootcamp, led by UWorld’s esteemed Peter Olinto. It was here that Mayu learned the importance of understanding over memorization, and it was after this experience that Mayu discovered UWorld’s “Four for 2024” CPA scholarship. This opportunity was more than financial aid; it was a beacon of hope because Mayu knew access to UWorld’s quality study materials would be a game-changer for her CPA test prep.
Driven to Turn CPA Dreams into Reality
Mayu applied for the UWorld CPA scholarship, and when she discovered she was one of the scholarship recipients, she was ecstatic. “I am very grateful for this opportunity,” she exclaimed on social media, “This definitely gives me a huge boost to get [my] CPA Exams done!”
Mayu’s dedication to her studies was unwavering, squeezing in study sessions around her demanding work schedule, fully committed to leveraging the UWorld CPA Review Course to its fullest. Her advice to fellow CPA candidates is a reflection of her own journey, emphasizing the importance of practice and deep comprehension of the material.
“I would tell them to work on the practices. A lot! If there are some weak points that you are aware of, I think that’s where you want to try to understand more. Not only remembering the textbook materials, but better understanding why this answer is correct and this [one] is not.”
Charting New CPA Horizons: Aspirations Beyond Exams
Reflecting on her journey, Mayu looks forward with optimism and gratitude. Her experiences, filled with both happiness and struggles, fuel her motivation and shape her aspirations. Beyond achieving CPA licensure with the support of the UWorld “Four for 2024” scholarship, Mayu eyes the future with interest in exploring finance and obtaining a CFA. Her journey underscores the importance of resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of personal and professional growth. “I want to take a look at how happy I’ve been or how I’ve struggled… Then I can remind myself, [with everything] I go through, what I’ve been through.”
“I want to take a look at how happy I’ve been or how I’ve struggled… Then I can remind myself, [with everything] I go through, what I’ve been through.” ~Mayu Shioda
Mayu’s story is not just about overcoming language barriers and exam hurdles; it’s a narrative of transformation, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of dreams. Her journey, through challenges and achievements, embodies the spirit of perseverance and the boundless opportunities that education and determination can unlock.
Apply for a UWorld CPA Scholarship like Mayu did!