Fowler Scholars Program Student Spotlight: Brady Burcin
Brady Burcin, Fowler Scholar Class of 2023
The Fowler Scholars Program was created to educate and prepare a select group of Fowler College of Business students for accelerated and lasting leadership roles in global business and society. Each year, the college selects a new group of freshmen from the local San Diego area to become Fowler Scholars. The students who are selected for the program have demonstrated leadership, ethical conduct, and exceptional academic and collaborative abilities.
Brady Burcin, a class of 2023 Fowler Scholar, is a sophomore majoring in accounting. Burcin is involved in SDSU’s Student Accounting Society and plans to complete an internship at Ernst & Young this summer. After graduation, Burcin hopes to work as a public accountant for one of the “Big Four” and eventually earn a senior management position for a major corporation or professional sports team. Burcin discusses his college experience, describes what being a Fowler scholar means to him, shares advice for current Fowler students, and more.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fowler Scholar?
To me, being a Fowler Scholar is a high honor that is not only a testament to what myself and the rest of the Fowler Scholars have achieved in the past in regards to our academic careers, but also a testament to the potential we have going forward. We have the potential and are being guided to become the business leaders of tomorrow with a strong moral base that we can use to not only impact our own businesses and consumers but society as well.
Q: Can you describe a little bit about yourself and how/when you decided to pursue accounting as an area of study?
I came in as a general business major because I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do in business and wanted to get a feel for all my options before I committed to anything specifically. Taking Accounting 201 with Professor DeBoskey was what opened my eyes to accounting, which I initially was not particularly interested in as a major. Everything just clicked for me with the class and I started doing research and having discussions about a career in the field and ultimately decided that it was the best option for me.
Fowler Scholars Brady Burcin, Khai Nguyen, and Davis Boring attended a donor event last year at the Tula Community Center.
Q: If you’re involved in SDSU student organizations on campus or affiliated with any organizations off campus, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far?
I am a member of the Student Accounting Society which gives me the opportunity to hear from and interact with numerous professionals, firms, and other accounting students. It has been a great organization to be a part of and has already provided me with loads of information and opportunity. I even got accepted into Ernst & Young’s Launch Internship program which will give me the opportunity to experience each service line and learn more about the company. It definitely gives me something to look forward to in the summer!
Q: What experience in the Fowler Scholars Program has been the most impactful?
Getting to meet Ron Fowler for me was the most impactful experience. He is really the driving force behind this program and so many aspects of the college of business; being able to meet him, talk to him, and hear about his experiences in business, particularly from an ethical perspective, was surreal. It has also been evident from my interactions with donors, alumni, and others that I have met through the program just how big of an impact he has had and continues to have on SDSU. He has already left a lasting legacy and I want myself and the Fowler Scholars Program to be the vehicle that carries that legacy on and continues to give back to future generations of business leaders who strive to have the level of success and impact that he has had.
Q: Who inspires you and why?
My mom is my biggest inspiration because of all the love and support she has offered over the years despite all that she has had to go through as well. During my sophomore year in high school, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was something that blindsided myself and my whole family and was an extremely tough process. But in the end, she not only beat cancer but was there as often as she could to help support my sisters and I as we were trying to navigate difficult stages of our lives.
Burcin and fellow Fowler Scholar, Khai Nguyen, at Petco Park after meeting with Ron Fowler.
Q: What has been your favorite SDSU memory so far?
My favorite SDSU memory so far is hanging out with my friends in Zura Hall.
Q: If you could go back to your freshman year, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to get more involved and be more open to new things and experiences. It's cliché advice, but there is so much opportunity available on campus and the worst thing you can do is be unwilling to take advantage of it.
Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
Mark Lindner, a donor and mentor for the Fowler Scholars Program offered me the best advice I have received at SDSU and is something that is applicable to any part of life. “Make your own opportunities” is an idea that I will remember and do my best to implement in my academic and professional career. It embodies the idea that I will do whatever I can to get wherever I want in life and is a mentality that you must have if you aim to succeed in just about anything.
Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
I would like to start off working as a public accountant for one of the “Big Four” and eventually work my way to a senior management position such as CFO for a major corporation or professional sports team.
*All group photos were taken prior to March 2020.
