Autumn Starnes recently graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in information technology. Starnes also earned certificates in computer programming and cybersecurity. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
The college years are a time for self-discovery and personal growth, a chance to choose the path that may shape the rest of your life. For Autumn Starnes, the University of Missouri–St. Louis provided countless opportunities to help chart that path, and she embraced them at every turn.
“She’s always learning, and that’s what I think is so impressive – she is always looking for something to learn,” said Johnna Murray, associate teaching professor in UMSL’s accounting department and faculty advisor for Beta Alpha Psi.
Judging by the degrees and certificates Starnes recently earned, she learned an awful lot at UMSL. During the graduation ceremonies for the Ed G. Smith College of Business May 15 at the Mark Twain Athletic Center, Starnes received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in information technology. Additionally, Starnes earned certificates in computer programming and cybersecurity.
It’s a pretty far cry from what Starnes pursued when she first started college.
Born in St. Louis, Starnes moved with her family to Lebanon, Missouri, as a child. She attended Ozarks Technical Community College, about an hour away in Springfield, with her eyes on a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Over time, though, her interest in that field faded, and after earning an associate degree in general studies, a family tragedy brought Starnes and her mother back to St. Louis. Facing an uncertain future, Starnes found her way to UMSL, which she said was especially accommodating during a difficult period in her life.
“UMSL just seemed like they were the most welcoming to transfer students,” said Starnes, who enrolled at the university in the fall of 2021. “They really wanted to help you succeed, even financially. They seemed like they really cared about making it work for you, and they really help you with scholarships and the whole onboarding process.”
Starnes said the staff in the University Advising Center also went out of their way to guide her through the transition, providing invaluable assistance as she explored potential majors. Initially drawn to technology-focused work, she pursued cybersecurity and quickly became involved with the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Club, where professionals regularly visited to share insights about the industry.
As she learned more about the day-to-day realities of the field, Starnes realized the highly technical nature of cybersecurity was not quite the right fit. Still, the experience helped narrow her focus and pushed her closer to finding an academic path that matched both her interests and strengths.
It was at this same time that Starnes was taking her first accounting course at UMSL, which was taught by Murray. Starnes said she was a bit surprised by how much she enjoyed “this accounting thing,” particularly the regulatory aspects of it. Meanwhile, Murray noticed how well Starnes was doing in her class, so she reached out and asked if Starnes had ever considered a degree in accounting.
“I was like, ‘Not really, isn’t it just sitting behind a desk, punching numbers all day?’” Starnes remembered.
Murray quickly shot down that misconception.
“I knew her background was cybersecurity,” Murray said, “and I told her, ‘You know, there’s lots of jobs in accounting for people with your background. You need more accounting classes, but they will love you.’”
Thus began Starnes’ trek into the accounting world. Murray introduced Starnes to Beta Alpha Psi, which provides students with opportunities for professional development, networking and service while promoting excellence in accounting, finance and information systems. Through events sponsored by the club, Starnes said she learned even more about the variety of career doors that could be opened with an accounting degree. One especially eye-opening experience for Starnes was the IRS Citizen Academy, a day-long event that gave her and other UMSL students an inside look at a potential career as a special agent with the IRS Criminal Investigation unit.
“You can go into law enforcement with accounting, and it was something that I never really considered,” Starnes said.
Starnes was a regular attendee at events held by other student organizations in the College of Business as well, which introduced her to many professional possibilities that involved a blend of accounting and IT.
“It seems that at every single event, I’ve learned something from it, whether it’s the real day-to-day work that people are doing, or the different paths that you can take in accounting,” Starnes said. “They brought in a lot of professionals that have been working in the field for a long time, and some of them were recent UMSL graduates, so you can understand how you get from where you are today in the classroom to where you want to be five, 10 years from now, even one year from now. It was really, really helpful getting that sort of exposure, and it puts into perspective what you can expect and what you need to plan for going forward.”
Starnes, a recipient of a $15,000 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year, said Beta Alpha Psi and the other College of Business clubs also provided great networking opportunities, and she made connections during those events that proved pivotal in landing internships. Last summer, she worked in IT auditing for Ernst and Young, and this year, from January to April, it was financial auditing for Wipfli. This summer, she has an internship with Centene doing internal IT auditing.
After that, Starnes faces another uncertain future. But many paths lie before her, and Starnes is confident that UMSL has equipped her with the tools she needs to succeed no matter which option she chooses.
“I know I have a lot of different opportunities I could pursue, and with the education and the experience I’ve had at UMSL, I am definitely prepared to land those jobs,” Starnes said. “UMSL’s professors really want you to succeed, they really make you feel valued, and I know that with their guidance, I will get on the right career path.”
