David Mason III
Graduation year: 2022
High school: Salem High School
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Majors: Accounting; business administration-marketing
Activities: Varsity football, Black Student Union, Multicultural Men’s Association, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
Internships: Deloitte Discovery Internship; Full Summer Deloitte Internship
Post-grad plans: Work at Deloitte back in Detroit in the Partnership Solutions Group (Tax)
Why Augustana?
I believed it would give me the perfect opportunity to thrive academically and athletically. Augustana truly allowed me to push myself into experiencing new cultures, excel through challenges and become a part of many organizations!
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
I definitely thought I would do well academically, but I never expected to gain the insights that I obtained by experiencing our campus. Things like network connections, job opportunities, athletic achievement and campus involvement allowed me to grow in ways I never knew I could.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
The people who helped me get to where I am now would definitely be my mom, dad, sister, and the prayers of my church family back home in Detroit, Michigan!
On campus, many professors like Dr. Ann Ericson, Professor Nadia Schwartz, Dr. John Delaney, Professor Olivia Melton, Professor Mamata Marmé and Coach Bell gave me the opportunity to thrive in the classroom and on the football field!
Peak experience?
The process of my internship recruitment was my peak experience. It was a very busy time in my academic career, but my professors were extremely supportive in my endeavors and helped me achieve my goals!
What surprised you?
What surprised me the most was how many different clubs and organizations are available to students to get involved in! It truly creates a culture that allows students to become well-rounded in their studies and social lives.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice for my internship with Deloitte. I was able to purchase a new suit and cover all expenses for travel, meals and other necessities for my internship.
What will you miss the most?
What I will miss are the organizations I was a part of, especially the Black Student Union. It was amazing to get a chance to showcase our culture and have a positive effect on our campus.
Advice for the Class of 2026?
Take advantage of the tools in CORE. They truly helped me out when it came to résumé writing, setting up my LinkedIn, getting my Augie Choice, and even exploring my career options. CORE was truly an essential part of me landing the job I wanted.
"There are two words that describe David: immense curiosity for learning and optimism. He always picked the first row in my classes and brought his smile to every class, even the early morning one! David is eager to live, to achieve, to explore, to take advantage of an opportunity, to listen to others, to be kind, to work hard. He transferred from Valparaiso and quickly adapted to being a Viking and now is going back to make a difference in his hometown of Detroit, working for one of the Big Four accounting firms."