Keys to Success as a Saint: Nicholas Ryan White '26

Nicholas Ryan White ’26 started this academic year off with a bang after receiving a full-time return offer at KPMG, the global Big 4 accounting firm.

White had an internship offer from KPMG as early as his sophomore year, and spent his time at Emmanuel making the grade before completing the internship in business tax services (BTS) asset management this past summer.

With his path post-graduation set and plenty to show for during his undergraduate journey at Emmanuel – White has plenty of wisdom to share with his fellow Saints.

The Economics and Finance dual major said he picked Emmanuel College to challenge himself, and an important part of that was the College’s internship requirement. He said he knows how important it is for undergraduates to have work experience before they graduate, and he sought out a place like Emmanuel where the College ensures that students not only get that, but are supported through it every step of the way.

With all that White has picked up on the Emmanuel campus, he was able to thrive in his internship at KPMG, where he experienced a lot of growth through networking and brushing shoulders with higher ups at the firm.

“College students want a return on their investment – but Emmanuel makes an investment in us too,” White said, “because they want to make sure their graduates are ready for the working world!”

He’s also a big proponent of involvement on campus. While at Emmanuel, White has been an Orientation Leader and served as President of the Saint Bernard Book Club last year. From the beginning, students are encouraged to get involved on campus, he said, and he’s found that there’s truth to the positive effects of that involvement: “it’ll help make college a more fulfilling experience and impacts other things like academics too.”

Along with involvement, White said he’s put a huge emphasis on surrounding himself with friends and fellow Saints that are also striving for success.

White and his roommates in particular are always holding each other accountable, leaning on each other for support and advice, and celebrating each other’s accomplishments along the way.

“We’re all making an impact in our own way, and we’re seeing it unfold at Emmanuel,” White said.

Find more tips from White on how to succeed and build academic momentum at Emmanuel College below!

Nick White's Words of Wisdom

How do you ensure that you start each semester off strong?

“Don’t be afraid of change, embrace it – this allows you to navigate challenges whether it be making friends or adjusting to college life, and helps you develop a plan to figure those things out.”

Another key to that is staying organized, which White does by building out his calendar with all of his classes before they even start. He keeps a tight schedule, which includes time to complete homework assignments, and a “free block” to take time to socialize.

What's an example of a campus resource you've used and how has it helped you?

“I’ve used the Career Center to help with resume editing and interview prep. Having professionals dedicated to making you the best candidate you can be is amazing – all these people on campus are just here to support you!”

The same goes for faculty advisors, White said. During the internship selection process, White said he appreciated the support of his advisor, Assistant Professor of Economics Shuyi Jiang, who emphasized from the beginning that it wasn’t only academics that would be crucial as an undergraduate – the professional experience holds a lot of weight as well.

White said he understands how students might not always feel comfortable with accessing academic resources on campus – but in the case of the Career Center, the first-year internship course acts as a primer and positive push for students to get comfortable working on career exploration alongside career advisors.

Throughout your years as an undergraduate, how have you stayed motivated?

“First of all, whatever the challenge is that you’re facing, know that it’s temporary. Everything starts with you – ask for help if you need it, and have an end goal to work towards.”

White’s offer from KPMG was his driver from sophomore year on. He wanted to push above and beyond to really earn his role as an intern there: over and over he would review the offer contract and that would keep him motivated toward his goal.

Something physical like that – like a four-year Academic Plan – is a great driver that is tailored to you, White said, that helps you visualize where you’re going and the steps you need to take to get there.