Student Spotlight Jaleel Payne
Starting my senior year at South Alabama has been such a surreal experience so far.
Growing up in Mobile has given me the chance to see the University expand a great
deal in such a short period of time. I have several family members who graduated
from South, including my mother who has been a nurse for over 20 years.
After my first semester as a freshman at South, I decided to move to Birmingham to enroll in the culinary arts program at Jefferson State. Even as a kid, I’ve always loved to cook, but after spending a year trying to learn what it really takes to be a successful chef, I concluded that just wasn’t the right career for me. It was my second semester back at South Alabama when I discovered my passion. While planning to major in Economics, I took the first Accounting Principles class and unexpectedly I immediately fell in love with Accounting. I have to give credit to Mrs. Madden, my first accounting instructor, who taught with such enthusiasm and made a subject I’d never encountered before so interesting!
As I move closer to graduation I am so pleased with the Mitchell College of Business, which is equipped with some of the best professors and staff at the University. I know they want to see students succeed and provide us with great resources and guidance in whatever career path we may choose. Right now I am currently a member of Beta Alpha Psi and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Both of these organizations have helped me network, develop interpersonal skills, and have given me the opportunity to serve the community through volunteer work. Outside of school I work at Publix and the Downtown Mobile Alliance as the accounting assistant. My hobbies include playing basketball, watching documentaries, and listening to music. Some of my favorite artists are Curren$y, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Coltrane. I’m looking forward to graduation and a successful career as an accountant. I can’t forget to say Go Jags!