Finding His Own Reason to Stay
McCrimon initially chose Stan State because his twin brother planned to attend. The two lived near each other in the residence halls during their first year, but his brother later decided college was not the right path for him and returned home.
McCrimon considered transferring.
Over time, however, he found reasons of his own to remain. Track and field, campus life and the slower pace of the Central Valley helped him build a connection to the University.
“The more I stayed, the more I enjoyed being on campus,” he said. “Coming from the Bay Area, things were fast-paced. Out here, it was slower, and I enjoyed that.”
His experience shows that the reason a student chooses a university may not be the same reason they ultimately stay. New relationships, activities and opportunities can help students develop a stronger sense of belonging and direction.
How Athletics and Campus Involvement Built Professional Skills
As a member of the Stan State track and field program, McCrimon balanced coursework, training, recovery and other responsibilities.
Some days began with early-morning workouts followed by class.
“You have to manage your time extremely efficiently,” he said. “You have to be goal-oriented and focused.”
Athletics helped him develop discipline, organization and the ability to work toward long-term goals. Those habits later supported him as he balanced work, completed his degree and adjusted to demanding professional roles.
McCrimon also gained experience through campus involvement.
He served as treasurer of the Black Student Union from 2017 to 2019, where he worked with budgets and helped the organization make financial decisions.
“Join a club you’re passionate about and try to be the treasurer,” he said. “Learn how to manage money because you’re going to inherit a role where you’re managing it.”
The position gave him practical experience before he held a formal accounting role. It also reinforced his advice that students should look for responsibilities that allow them to apply classroom knowledge outside class.
What Should Internship Applicants Show?
McCrimon encourages students to gain experience before graduation, even if the role does not have “accounting” in the title.
Student organizations, campus employment and volunteer roles can all provide opportunities to work with budgets, records, planning and accountability.
He also advises students to build genuine relationships with faculty members. One of his accounting professors continued sending him job opportunities after graduation.
For students applying for internships or entry-level roles, his advice includes:
- Seek responsibilities involving budgets or financial decisions.
- Take internships seriously, even when they are not a dream position.
- Stay connected with supervisors and professional contacts.
- Build relationships with faculty members.
- Learn how to explain the skills developed through athletics, employment or campus involvement.
- Strengthen knowledge in areas such as tax accounting when they align with career goals.
McCrimon’s experience shows that professional preparation can begin long before a student submits a first full-time job application.
A Career Shaped by Adaptability
McCrimon’s path included a changed concentration, an internship, professional work before graduation, an unexpected layoff and a move into public service.
His accounting education gave him a technical foundation. Athletics taught him discipline and time management. Campus involvement gave him practical experience managing money and working with others.
Together, those experiences prepared him to adjust when his original career plan changed.
His current work may not be the accounting career he first imagined, but it allows him to use the same analytical skills while helping employees resolve problems that affect their livelihoods.
McCrimon’s message to students is not that every career setback will produce an immediate opportunity. It is that skills, relationships and experiences can continue to matter even when the next step looks different from the original plan.
