Small-Town Roots, Big Opportunities
When she arrived at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman for college, Kasslyn Baldry quickly adjusted to an environment much different than the one she grew up in.
“I had never driven through a traffic light and when I walked into my first college lecture, there were 400 students. You never see 400 people in Scobey!,” she says.
Less than 1,000 people live in Scobey, Montana. In fact, Kasslyn’s graduating high school class was seventeen—”Eleven boys and six girls,” she says.
But living in Bozeman suited her, just like the pursuit of an accounting degree. Now a senior, Kasslyn will graduate this fall before beginning MSU’s Master of Professional Accountancy program. She’s committed to working in tax after a tax internship at JCCS in Bozeman.
“I had taken a tax class before the internship but hadn’t done the preparation of tax returns. I got to apply what I learned in school and I learned much more.”
With help and mentorship from her JCCS colleagues, she had the opportunity to do both simple and complex tax returns.
“I hoped the internship would help me get my foot in the door and build some tax knowledge, but it exceeded my expectations,” she says. “I now have a much deeper understanding of tax rules and know how to navigate tax forms.”
One of the things that stood out most was the support she received from colleagues. Whether through JCCS’s Microsoft Teams “tax season helpline” or conversations with coworkers, help was always available.
“If I sent a message for help with a return, my coworkers would drop anything to assist in helping me find the answer,” Kasslyn says. “And they cared about what was going on outside of work, always asking how I was doing in school. It was a very supportive environment which is amazing because it can be nerve-wracking to come into a job you know nothing about.”
For students searching for internships, Kasslyn encourages stepping outside your comfort zone. She first connected with JCCS at a career fair and believes authenticity is one of the best ways to find the right fit.
“Don’t be afraid to talk to employers,” she says. “Share your story and be yourself during the interview process.”
Kasslyn, who also serves as a Jabs Ambassador at MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, plans to return to JCCS in the spring for another tax internship.
JCCS is the largest locally owned public accounting firm in Montana with seven offices across the state. We believe in seeing beyond the numbers in ways that help our clients and teams achieve their personal, professional, and business goals. At JCCS, we Think Exponentially, Act Proactively, and Grow Professionally. We think bigger when we work with one another and our clients, we turn ideas into action, and we cultivate a culture of constant learning. Learn more about who we are and our internship and early career opportunities.
