May 11, 2018

Graduating SVSU student shines in internship, earns job with Dow accounting department

Mallory Fisher has wrapped up her last round of final exams and is about to pack her bags for her  job in Texas. Within weeks, she will begin a full-time position in The Dow Chemical Company’s Finance Development Program for Accountants in Houston, where she spent time as an intern last summer.

A Midland native, Fisher began her journey at SVSU in 2014; she graduates Friday, May 11. She quickly became an active member of the campus community and earned a number of accolades during her time as a student. Most recently, she was named the Outstanding Accounting Student Representative by SVSU's chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants.

“Honestly, being singled out by such an outstanding organization for work in my field was the perfect bookend to my time as a Cardinal,” Fisher said. “These past four years have been filled with endless studying and self-motivation to succeed in the field of accounting.”

Fisher parlayed that self-motivation into a position with Dow as part of their college co-op program in 2015. As a tax department co-op, she had the opportunity to travel to Lake Jackson, Texas in May 2017 to participate in a summer internship with Dow's Texas Operations Controllers.

There, Fisher was actively involved in several projects that would span the length of her 12-week internship including one that required her to analyze data that would then be used by the Texas site controller and the vice president of Gulf Stream operations to make management decisions for the Dow sites in Texas.

Lowell McLaughlin, associate director of Dow Chemical's department of U.S. State and Local and Canadian Property Tax, spoke highly of Fisher’s attitude and aptitude.

“Mallory has been a standout college co-op and intern at Dow,” said McLaughlin, Fisher's supervisor. “She has a great work ethic and positive 'can do' attitude that has allowed her to grow and flourish in her roles.”

Fisher explained that it was the support of McLaughlin and the Dow team based in Midland that gave her the confidence to take such a huge step in her life.

“Moving 1,400 miles from my family, friends, coworkers and community was a huge step for me, personally and professionally,” Fisher said. “When Dow asked me if I would be willing to work in Texas, I immediately knew that this was a perfect opportunity to be daring, challenge myself, and step outside my comfort zone.”

Her professors noticed the difference. Betsy Pierce, assistant professor of accounting and faculty advisor to Beta Gamma Sigma, feels confident Fisher is headed down the right path as she continues to gain momentum in her career trajectory.

“After her internship last summer, she came back completely energized and excited about the idea that she might be able to go back to Houston for a full-time job,” Pierce said. “As it turns out, that's exactly where she's going. It's just so clear to me that she has a true love for working in the corporate field and we couldn't be more excited for her.”

Fisher is among the 1,083 individuals expected to graduate from the university this month. She will participate in Commencement exercises for graduates in the colleges of Business & Management and Health & Human Services Friday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. Students completing degrees in the colleges of Arts & Behavioral Sciences, Education, and Science, Engineering & Technology will take part in the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. Each ceremony will be held in O'Neill Arena of the Ryder Center.

Drive and determination were not limited to Fisher’s work with Dow. She is the outgoing president of SVSU’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society recognizing those who have achieved academic excellence in business-related programs, and the outgoing vice president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Fisher also completed Cardinal Business Edge, a program that aims to strengthen the business and leadership skills of a select group of high-performing incoming freshmen.

Fisher hopes to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones to find success. She recently was invited to co-host the College of Business and Management's Best in Business Awards Night, and thought back to the days when such an opportunity might have passed her by.

“During my freshman year, I admittedly hated public speaking,” Fisher said. “I remember my professor told me that, as an effective communicator, I'd be invited to speak frequently because people know that I have something important to say. Co-hosting the awards ceremony in front of my professors, administrators, mentors, local business leaders, and my peers was such a great example of how much I've grown as a Cardinal and a businesswoman.”

As Fisher embarks upon her professional career, one goal remains at the forefront:

“I like being known as the girl who always has a smile on her face and finds joy in life,” Fisher said. “That's the person I strive to be in and out of work.”