What I Know Now: Ryan Shubird

age: 25 

hometown: Montgomery, Alabama 

career: Accounting/Finance 

education: I received my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery where I am now pursuing a Masters of Accountancy.  I wanted to choose a major that would make me stand out in the job market and give me a better understanding of the fundamentals of business. 

parental influence: My parents have taught me many things throughout my life, but one particularly stands out: they taught me the value of hard work.  In the summers between high school years, my father made me work on his construction sites every day after football practice. It was grueling manual labor in the Alabama heat to teach me the value of a hard earned dollar.  My mother constantly reminded me that I could have everything I wanted in life, so long as I was willing to work hard for it, and that when the going gets tough in school or life, you cannot let the obstacles dictate your path.   

secret to success: Throughout college, and life in general, you have to find something or someone that pushes you to the finish line. I have had teachers who thought I would not do well on a test, so I worked hard to prove them wrong. I have had teachers who expected me to do well, so I worked hard to avoid letting them down. My family expects me to give my best effort to succeed, so I work hard to make them proud.   

eye opener: My freshman year I was encouraged to get involved in on-campus organizations, and I am glad I did. In doing so, I made connections and friends that I otherwise would not have. Being involved on campus helped me to be a well-rounded student, and opened doors for me to go places that I thought I never could.  

advice for teens: Do things to step outside of your comfort zone.  It’s okay to be nervous or afraid; it simply means you’re doing something new and making progress.  Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone struggles. Do not allow your fear of failure to keep you from reaching your goals or chasing your dreams.  

advice for parents: Do not be afraid to loosen the leash. Students have to learn to run on their own.  Rest assured knowing that your child will run into failure.  They will struggle. They will make the wrong decision.  That’s a part of the growing up and learning process.  However, always be willing to listen and give support.  When your child does fail or struggle, let them know that it’s not the end of the world and that they will be just fine.  

future focus: I plan to continue working in the field of accounting while also pursuing a career in politics.  My goal is to help individuals and businesses reach their financial goals by providing a variety of accounting services.  I then hope to use my knowledge and understanding of taxes and other financial issues to help craft legislation that best helps and represents individuals and small businesses across the state. 

can’t live without 

1. My phone
2. My friends
3. ESPN

(and of course his wife, Shelby) 

downtime: I most enjoy traveling to new places and seeing new things to broaden my perspective on what’s out there in the world. More frequently however, I enjoy spending my time outside by the grill while watching a football game and weekends at the lake.