Kaden Friend Wraps up Boilermaker Days, Looks to the Future
As he walked across the stage in the Elliot Hall of Music, Kaden Friend represented the third generation of getting a master’s degree from Purdue. While being part of a Boilermaker tradition, Kaden’s four years were uniquely his own as he reflects on his college experience.
Resilience is something all college students must exhibit, and Kaden was no exception, getting his bachelor’s degree in three years and achieving a master’s degree in accounting during his fourth year on campus. In fact, during this fourth year while he was getting his advanced degree, he was also studying for the CPA exam and took the first section of the test during Purdue finals week. Time management is a skill he brought with him from high school. This helped him balance priorities to get the academic work done while also enjoying campus life, such as playing basketball in the Co-Rec as well as watching basketball in Mackey Arena.
Kaden is blessed with a wonderful group of friends, many of whom are from the Indy Metro area and will be coming back to the area post-graduation. While Kaden says he is very content with his social circle, looking back he realized he could have joined more clubs on campus to expand it.
When asked how he has changed over the last four years, Kaden feels he has matured and gotten a better appreciation for adult responsibilities, like planning meals and getting groceries, and even working with landlords on needed apartment repairs. He knows he values relationships and learned to be attuned to work culture. That awareness is one reason he accepted a job with Katz, Sapper & Miller, an accounting firm on the north side of Indianapolis. He had interned at the firm for two summers and appreciates how the employees treat each other and encourage the interns.
What comes next? After moving home to Indianapolis, Kaden will spend the summer studying for and taking the next three sections of the CPA exam before starting his job in October. His outlook? He’s optimistic about his job, looking forward to meeting new people, and putting his Purdue education into practice. As he stood for the opening strains of “Hail Purdue” as commencement wrapped up, Kaden knew he had made the most of his Purdue moments and is ready for his “Next Giant Leap.”
About the Author
Kenda Resler-Friend
Kenda fills her summer days with great work for her public relations clients, deadheading her flowers and playing with plants, enjoying time at the lake with friends and family - and gearing up for the Indiana State Fair which is her favorite time of year.
