Get to know Jeffrey

Program format: On-Campus MAC
Program start date: August 2025
Anticipated graduation date: December 2026
Current location: Raleigh, NC

Life before Jenkins

Work experience: 6
Industries: U.S. Navy (5 years Active Duty), Accounting/Professional Services (1 year)
Roles: Sonar Technician, Team Training Coordinator, Intern
Fields: Military, Accounting, Auditing
Undergraduate education: Baruch College, BBA Accounting

Career goals

After graduating high school in 2010, Jeffrey Bui spent several years exploring different paths before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2017. Stationed in Norfolk, Va., he served onboard the USS Vicksburg as the divisional training petty officer, where he was responsible for keeping his division qualified and ready for inspections. “I organized training sessions, tracked progress and made sure sailors earned the qualifications they needed to stand watch and do their jobs safely,” he says.

Following five years of service, Jeffrey moved to New York to join his wife and pursue higher education. In 2024, he became the first in his family to earn a college degree, graduating from Baruch College with a degree in accounting – just as he and his wife welcomed their first child. “That changed everything for me,” he says. “I wanted to build something stable and meaningful for our family.”

 “I wanted to build something stable and meaningful for our family.”

The next step for Jeffrey? Earning his CPA license and building a strong foundation in public accounting. “My goal is to gain experience in audit and assurance, learn from people in the field, and develop into someone who can be trusted to get the work done,” he says. Long term, he hopes to bring his skills to public service roles, perhaps with the IRS or another government agency. “I’ve always respected people who use their skills to serve others,” he explains. “For now, I’m focused on learning and becoming the kind of professional people can depend on.”

Why Accounting?

For Jeffrey, accounting wasn’t a natural fit at first – but it became one through persistence. “I had been out of school for a while, and it took time to get back into the rhythm of learning,” he recalls. “Over time, I started to appreciate what accounting teaches. It’s less about math and more about slowing down and paying attention to what’s in front of you.”

He sees strong parallels between his experience in the Navy and the discipline of accounting. “It’s about learning to think through a problem instead of rushing to an answer,” he says. “Accounting gives me a new way to use those same skills and mindset I developed throughout the Navy – staying organized, thinking critically and communicating clearly.”

Why Jenkins?

When Jeffrey and his wife decided to move to North Carolina, the Jenkins MAC program quickly stood out. “Jenkins felt like the right place to continue my education and take the next step in my career,” he says. “I wanted a program with a strong reputation and a community that would challenge me to grow while giving me the support to do it.”

“I wanted a program with a strong reputation and a community that would challenge me to grow while giving me the support to do it.”

From his very first conversation with the admissions team, he knew he had found that balance. “They cared about the person behind the application,” he says. “Everyone I met – students, staff, faculty – made me feel welcome.”

Daily life

Jeffrey’s days are full and carefully balanced. “My mornings start early,” he says. “I make breakfast and pack lunch for my son before dropping him off with the nanny.” After that, he reviews notes or finishes assignments before heading to campus.

Though a full-time student, Jeffrey is on the part-time track – planning to graduate in December. His evenings belong to family. “Once my son is asleep, I study or prepare for the next day,” he says. Weekends are for family time – exploring parks and activities around their new home. “It’s been nice discovering North Carolina and everything it offers for young families,” he says. “Life here moves at a slower pace, and I’ve learned to appreciate that.”

He plans to take the summer off for an internship while spending more time with his wife and son. “It’s important to me to keep developing professionally, but also to be present for my family,” he says.

What makes it great

For Jeffrey, the standout feature of the Jenkins MAC program is Career Services – particularly the guidance and mentorship of Kelly Hardy. “She does an incredible job helping students prepare for their careers,” he says. “She organizes workshops, assists with the hiring process, and sets up events where you can meet firms face to face. Her connections across the industry give you access to real opportunities.”

He appreciates how the program guides students through the often-intimidating recruiting process. “The program helps you prepare for interviews, refine your resume and build confidence when meeting potential employers,” Jeffrey explains. “The program’s placement rate for graduates really speaks to how effective her support is.”

“The program helps you prepare for interviews, refine your resume and build confidence when meeting potential employers.”

Final thoughts

Though still early in the program, Jeffrey already feels the impact of returning to school. “It’s made me think differently about what it means to learn and improve,” he says. “I’ve realized that consistency matters more than being perfect – you just have to keep showing up and putting in the effort.”

He’s also learned to view challenges as opportunities. “Growth doesn’t just come from the classroom,” he says. “It comes from how you handle setbacks and how you respond when things don’t go as planned. If you’re putting in the work, there’s really no such thing as failure – only lessons.”

His advice for future students: “Be ready to work hard and stay open to learning. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to keep moving forward.”

Get in touch

Connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn.

Learn more

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