Finding a future in the numbers

Garin Turner grew up just minutes from Michigan State University. Big campus. Big classes. Big reputation. But when it came time to choose where to enroll, he went in a different direction.

“Both of my parents went here,” Turner said of Central Michigan University. “And I knew that at a really big school, you don’t get the personal connection that you get here.”

Now a sophomore accounting major from Lansing, Mich., Turner said that decision has paid off. What he found at CMU wasn’t just a major—it was clear path forward.

A high school class that sparked a path

Turner’s interest in accounting began in high school during his sophomore and junior years. After taking an accounting course and connecting with a teacher who encouraged him to explore it further, something clicked.

“I really liked it,” he said. “When I spent more time learning about it, I was just like, why don’t I just continue doing this?” The decision felt practical and realistic. “At this point, I know it’s going to make a decent amount of money, and I already like doing it,” he said.

Since arriving at CMU, that early interest has evolved into a clear professional goal: earning his Certified Public Accountant license and working for one of the Big Four accounting firms—ideally Deloitte. “The Deloitte path has been opened because of the relationships I have with a few of the accounting professors,” Turner said.

He also credits Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting-focused business fraternity, with helping him grow professionally. “They’re really helpful with my major,” he said. “If you can find something like that, it’s just really good.”

Support that builds confidence

Turner said one of the biggest advantages of CMU is access to support. “There are a lot of extra tutoring resources—free tutoring resources—that I don’t think many people know about,” he said. “You step into the library and ask if there’s tutoring for your class, and there’s usually something on campus.”

He also pointed to the degree progress system as a tool that keeps him focused and on track. “It really helps you focus on what classes you can take and still make sure they count toward graduating,” he said. “Rather than just taking random classes and hoping you get the right number of credits.” That structure, he said, gives him a sense of control over his academic journey.

Community found in simple moments

Turner found his closest friendships early—and unexpectedly. After participating in IMPACT and moving into the residence halls, he met one of his closest friends in the dorm kitchenette.

“I was walking in with food my mom brought me,” he said. “Someone else was watching Criminal Minds and eating ramen. I just said, ‘Hey, I’ve never seen that,’ and we started talking. We’ve been friends ever since.”

Now, when he thinks about what he’ll remember most from college, the answer is simple. “My roommates,” he said. “It’s basically just a hangout every single night.”

Beyond his roommates, Turner is involved in the Dungeons & Dragons Club, where he connects with other students through tabletop role-playing games—another space where he has built community outside the classroom.

Finding balance and focus

Academically, Turner has learned what works best for him. “Finding a very quiet place as fast as possible is the best opportunity you’re going to have to study,” he said. He also recommends staying in classrooms after lectures if they are empty, often gaining an extra hour of quiet space before the next class arrives.

When he needs to reset, Turner takes a long walk around campus, looping from his residence hall near Woldt down toward Ronan and back. “It’s about a mile and a half,” he said. “It’s a decent walk.”

His daily routine reflects intentional balance. He schedules classes later in the day to match when he is most productive, completes assignments the night before and heads to the library after class to stay ahead. “I like getting things finished within the day,” he said.

Perspective for what comes next

For high school students unsure about what to study, Turner encourages exploration. “If you’re a sophomore or junior, take as many different electives as you can,” he said. “The people who tried different things usually had a much better idea by graduation where they wanted to go.”

He also offers reassurance for students worried about making mistakes. “No matter how bad the event was, nobody remembers,” he said. “Not a single person remembers.” It’s a lesson in perspective—and one that reflects the confidence he has built in just two years at CMU.

Turner chose CMU for its personal connection. Today, that connection has helped him build a professional goal, a strong support system and a clear path forward—one balanced sheet at a time.