Grad Feature: Sharp Focus

Two weeks changed Shanise Hall’s career trajectory — and now she is more than ready to conquer her future endeavors.

Her professional repertoire has taken her across the globe and back. Now, she looks forward to entrepreneurship and giving back — all with her Bookkeeper Professional Certificate in tow.

Shanise served in the Air Force from 2005-13. She was assigned to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico and worked in Force Support (which includes food, fitness, mortuary and personnel). She was also deployed to Baghdad in 2007 and eventually promoted to Staff Sergeant. Of her experience, she said, “It was the best decision I ever made for my life. [It] taught me discipline, hard work and self-control.”

College was next on her list. While working on her accounting degree from Strayer University, Shanise attended a 2-week bookkeeping course at Sweetwater Mission in Austell in 2016. She said, “After the course, I realized I wanted to take a course with more detail. At the time, my awesome mother was enrolling in the KSU ESOL program and brought me the KSU continuing education catalog. She mentioned the bookkeeping course, and the rest is history!”

Shanise completed her degree program in May 2017 and used her VA Education Benefits to enroll in the Bookkeeper Professional Certificate program that August. She said they learned a myriad of skills such as setting up a company from scratch, creating journal entries, conducting bank reconciliations, and adding vendors, services and products.

The program can also assist in preparing students for the Certified Bookkeeper designation from American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. The class was a great fit, and Hall said instructor Tymone Green, MBA, was instrumental in her success.

“He was absolutely amazing,” Shanise said. “He explained every step in great detail which made homework and projects much easier. The class was a very positive atmosphere and instructor Green encouraged us to help each other.”

The course also helped Shanise with her next career move. She was hired by First Key Homes as a Cash Management Analyst. The responsibilities of the job align with topics covered in the Bookkeeper course.

“I approve a high volume of cash transfers and wire requests; communicate with internal and external customers to address and resolve problems, special requests, and/or discrepancy situations; and assist the Sr. Treasurer with any special projects and complete bank reconciliations daily,” she said. “The Bookkeeper course helped in my role by teaching me how to read various financial statements and properly analyze the information.”

Success continues to be on the horizon for Shanise. Her education and professional experiences are the driving force behind her next set of ambitions.

“My ultimate career goal is to start my own bookkeeping company that specializes in small businesses,” she said. “Once my company is established and excelling, I would also like to start a non-profit Boys & Girls Club.”

For anyone considering the Bookkeeper certificate, Shanise said, “Do it! The reward from the experience and knowledge gained is priceless.”