Michael Stempien

After U.S. Marine Sergeant Michael Stempien completed his honorable service to his country, including a deployment to the Western Pacific, he decided to complete a college degree. He had started the degree many years ago in his home state of Michigan, before moving to Miami, when he met his wife, Raimy, an FIU alumna. Now with three children, this Marine decided he also would become a Panther to be able to continue to provide for his family.

Michael passed the accounting entrance exam and received help from the GI Bill and guidance from College of Business advisor Margie Leonard and FIU’s Veteran and Military Affairs office.

He began classes in 2014 and soon joined Beta Alpha Psi, the National Honor Society for Accounting, Finance and MIS majors. Through their Friday night firm presentations, Michael networked with business professionals and decided to pursue the audit field.

Michael took advantage of networking events such as the Ahead of the Game career fair and landed interviews with many firms. He is completing an internship with Morrison, Brown, Argiz and Farra, and in January will begin an internship with Ernst and Young’s Miami office.

Michael, now age 29, completed his degree in two years and has earned a 3.9 GPA. He will be continuing his education at FIU working on his Master of Accounting degree and CPA certification.