Leadership Profile: Brendan McNeal
Brendan McNeal’s mind works best when it’s thinking in terms of expenditures, interest, and analytic procedures, so majoring in accounting was an obvious choice.
“I took an accounting class in high school that I really enjoyed, and I’ve always really liked numbers,” he says. “I like how there’s a right way to do it and a right answer. It’s very methodical.”
While accounting may be clear-cut, the Greenville senior says he still enjoys wrestling with the less-concrete ideas in the Bible as a leader and member of two different bible study groups.
“The Bible studies are one of my favorite parts of my Alma experience,” he says. “They give me an opportunity to grow spiritually, learn a lot, be able to talk about things and create fellowship with other believers.”
McNeal, a peer mentor and tutor, also likes the feel of Alma’s campus. The small class sizes make it easier to talk to professors, he says. He counts business professors Elizabeth Cameron and Randy Jacques among his favorites.
“Dr. Cameron’s classes are very helpful, and outside of the classroom, she is always there to help, too,” he says. “And the way Professor Jacques teaches accounting gives you very practical, real-world sense for the numbers and techniques, and I feel his classes are preparing me very well for my future in accounting. He is tough but fair.”
After he graduates from Alma, McNeal plans to take the certified public accountant exam. And thanks to Alma, he is confident that he will be ready to that challenge when the time comes, he says.
“I think Alma has done a very good job of providing me with real-world experience, both inside and outside the classroom,” he says. “Alma is very good at helping students get internships; I recently landed one at Deloitte for the summer. All the professors have real-world experiences in accounting and business, so they know what to expect and are able to pass that knowledge on to you.”
