Sometimes the “All-American girl next door” actually lives…next door. Born and raised in Springfield Missouri, Ashtyn Allison is a senior finance major in the MSU accelerated MBA program. While attending Kickapoo high school, Ashtyn was involved in gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer, and Student council. She was a class valedictorian and upon graduation wanted to stay in the Midwest and attend a university with an excellent business school. The decision to attend Missouri State was an easy one to make after receiving a Board of Governors Scholarship.
Ashtyn decided to become a finance major at the end of her freshman year and says she is happy with the decision. “I have always liked math, problem-solving and analysis, plus I wanted to study a subject that would challenge me.” Ashtyn is meeting the challenges quite nicely. Ashtyn attributes her success to her family. “I grew up in Springfield with a great family that always encouraged me to try my best at everything I did. I have always been very competitive and motivated and I know the values and lessons I learned as a kid have helped me succeed in school and life.”
Ashtyn cites Kent Ragan and James Simmerman, two FGB Department faculty, as great teachers and advisors throughout her college experience. “The best experience I’ve had at Missouri State University was last summer intersession when I went to New York City with other finance students for the New York study course.” The trip was supervised by Dr. Ragan and the group met with several large companies in New York. A little sightseeing was included and Ashtyn says, “I had never been there before and it was really exciting.” As for Missouri State specifically, Ashtyn really enjoys being in the Honors College whose classes fit her learning style well.
Ashtyn is currently interning at Scottrade and will be a graduate assistant in the FGB department starting January 2010. When she graduates in the fall of 2010, she would like to begin her career in either a brokerage firm like Scottrade or another financial company, preferably in a bigger city in the Midwest. “I want to work in finance and I think I would enjoy working for an environmental or alternative energy company because I could be contributing to a better society.” Eventually Ashtyn would like to become a Chartered Financial Analyst and possibly pursue doctoral studies.
Ashtyn does find time to relax outside of class. She enjoys reading, attending movies, and going to the lake on nice weekends. Also, Ashtyn like to paint in her spare time. “I really love art and hope to be able to devote more time to it after I graduate.” As for advice to incoming students, Ashtyn says, “Make sure and enjoy college but work hard and keep in mind your goals and what you want to do with your future.” They would be hard pressed to find a better example of that than Ashtyn Allison.