On August 24, 2026, the Daviess County CEO cohort was fortunate to welcome newlyweds and CEO Alumni Braylee and Simon Parsons back to the program. Both former CEO students, Braylee and Simon returned to share their experiences, lessons learned, and valuable advice as they continue building their professional careers.
Braylee, a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana (USI), and Simon, a graduate of Indiana University (IU), are both currently studying for their CPA exams as they work toward the next step in their accounting careers.
During their visit, Braylee and Simon challenged students to think intentionally about both their personal and professional development. Some of the key lessons they shared included:
*Know your “why” and let it guide your decisions.
*Develop and master your soft skills—communication, professionalism, teamwork, and relationship building.
*Prepare for interviews using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
* Keep personal stories and experiences “in your back pocket” that can be used when answering interview questions or connecting with others.
*Avoid procrastination and take action when opportunities arise.
*Lean on your mentors and don't be afraid to ask for help, whether with a business plan, career decision, or personal challenge.
*Do your research before making important decisions.
*Make journaling a regular habit to reflect on experiences and identify areas for growth.
*Be willing to embrace change and recognize that life and career plans may evolve.
*Don't be afraid of AI. Instead, learn how to use it as a tool to improve your work and productivity.
*Look for opportunities to continually enhance your professional development.
*Most importantly, have genuine conversations with people and take the time to build meaningful relationships.
The Daviess County CEO cohort extends a heartfelt thank you to Braylee and Simon for returning to share their time, experiences, and wisdom with the next generation of CEO students. Their willingness to come back and give back to the program is a wonderful example of the lasting impact the CEO experience can have on its alumni.
We are proud to see Braylee and Simon continuing to pursue their goals, and we wish them the very best as they prepare for their CPA exams and the next chapter of their careers.