From graduating high school in 2006 to recently accepting a competitive internship from Xcel Energy, Kasey Sipe’s relentlessness has led him to success. Sipe, earning his BSBA in both Accounting and Finance, is enjoying every minute of his undergraduate experience this time around.
A long journey to CU Denver
Being an Arizona native, Sipe made the trek to Colorado to pursue a career in food service and hospitality. After deciding this wasn’t the path for him, he enrolled at CU Denver for its music program.
Wanting more job security, Sipe made the switch to the Business School. “After taking my first accounting class, I fell in love it with it. I found my calling,” Sipe explained. After graduation next May, Sipe plans to attend graduate school to continue down the CPA path.
Being president of CU Denver’s Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) club, being heavily involved in Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), and working part-time for the university’s call center, Sipe proves that engaging on campus doesn’t have to hinder your grades, but can actually improve them.
“Sipe’s involvement proves that engaging on campus doesn’t have to hinder your grades, but can actually improve them.”
The importance of getting involved
Developing networking skills through Business Career Connections (BCC) and Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) events prepared Sipe for being offered an accounting and finance intern position with Xcel Energy this summer. In fact, he landed his internship by connecting with an Xcel representative in person at the spring career fair.
The representative was so impressed with Sipe that Xcel reopened the application for him. After talking through the offer with his wife, Sipe decided to take the offer, because it puts his family in the best position.
Some of Sipe’s duties will consist of tracking raw materials from procurement to creating energy to waste and disposal restoration, quarterly reporting, and other financial tasks.
A few words of gratitude from Sipe
Reflecting back on his time so far at CU Denver, he points to his Accounting Program Scholarship as a big reason for his success. The scholarship helps lift some of the financial burdens that pursuing higher education places on him. “This scholarship is huge for me. Not only does it allow me to stay on track to graduate next May, but it also has allowed me to focus more on my studies and less on my part-time job,” Sipe shared.
“This scholarship is huge for me. Not only does it allow me to stay on track to graduate next May, but it also has allowed me to focus more on my studies and less on my part-time job.”
“I never saw myself being a scholarship recipient in the past, but I have put everything I have into my studies nonetheless and am truly humbled and honored to receive this award.”
He’s turning 31 this fall, so being able to finish on time is important for his future. Without a large financial burden, he can ensure he graduates on time by focusing more intensely on his studies and worrying less about his paycheck.
“[This scholarship] is critical because I want to learn as much as possible while I’m at CU Denver.”
His gratitude to donors who made this scholarship possible is evident. “I would just like to say thank you, to the fantastic donors that make these scholarships possible, and to the Accounting Program Advisory Council for selecting me for this scholarship. I am truly honored and humbled to be a recipient and look forward to continuing my success here at the Business School.”
“I am truly honored and humbled to be a recipient and look forward to continuing my success here at the Business School.”
Relentlessness is key
Sipe’s advice to students is to “be relentless in studying and wanting to be the best that you can. Don’t get discouraged, and have fun while you’re doing it.” Even though he is focused on graduating and learning as much as he can, he still makes sure to enjoy his time as a student. He believes that “having fun is key to being successful.”
“Be relentless in studying and wanting to be the best that you can. Don’t get discouraged, and have fun while you’re doing it.”
Scholarships ease the financial load for students
The Business School offers more than 50 different scholarships ranging from 500 to 5,000 dollars per semester.
Offering various scholarships in all degree programs, the scholarship program relieves a variety of students’ financial burdens. Scholarships are funded by alumni, members of the Colorado business community, and the State of Colorado, to help students get the best education possible.
