Seidman Alumni Board Spotlight - Phil Sims
Professional Journey Quick Facts:
- During my time in college, I struggled with what I wanted to be when I grew up. This struggle ultimately led to me taking time off from college to work full time.
- When I determined I desired to learn about business, I enrolled and later declared a focus of accounting.
How has Seidman had a role in your journey?
GVSU was instrumental in equipping me with the knowledge and connections to land an internship with BDO, where I started full time after graduation. In turn, my time at BDO equipped me to receive an opportunity with Integrity Tree Services, where I started in a financial capacity. Two years in, I was afforded the opportunity to serve as CEO. Over 6 years in, I am still drinking from the fire hydrant!
When did you graduate?
BBA - 2011
Where are you from?
I am from Grand Rapids, born and raised. I spent short period of time living in Detroit while attending the University of Detroit Mercy.
What do you do for fun?
I have young kids, I love to spend time with them and to create memories. I enjoy Lake Michigan costal towns with my wife. Fly fishing and time outdoors are what I enjoy during my alone time.
Phil's Advice
"Build as much personal connection as you can with graduates in spaces you would like to go. There are people in this world that genuinely want to help and don't expect anything in return. With humility and curiosity, take advantage of this."
Tell Us More...
What has been the most significant professional outcome that came as a result of your GVSU degree from Seidman College?
The opportunity to interview with many public accounting firms prior to graduation.
If you could learn one new professional skill, what would it be and why?
I would learn how to perform business valuations - a fascinating topic to me at the moment.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Failure is an event, not a person. Fear of failure kills more progress than any other human phenomenon I have observed in my career to date. It also is a dangerous undercurrent for decision making. By making failure less personal, it allows for an individual (or team) to place a scenario on the table and approach it with curiosity and collaboration, setting the stage for deep learning to take place.
If you could pick any job, what would it be?
Any job that facilitates learning - where those I work with are creatively solving a meaningful problem.