As a first-generation college student, Yuki Shao had to learn to navigate the unfamiliar territory of higher education with a blank roadmap. She found her way to academic, professional and personal success through sheer determination.
She juggled two jobs with a rigorous courseload in two majors: accounting and business analytics and information systems. Shao is also enrolled in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, the Business Honors Program, and the Corporate Mentor Program. She’s a member of Beta Alpha Psi.
In 2022, she was selected to serve as a teaching assistant for an upper-level financial accounting course. There she guides about 50 students each week, helping them understand complex concepts. In 2023, she was a summer intern at Ernst and Young.
Shao’s passion extends beyond the realm of numbers. As president of the USF Botany Club, she nurtures a love for plants, while her artistic talents shine through her roles in the Photography Club and Creative Writer’s Club. Shao is also an active member of the Tampa Bay art community with works exhibited in the Centre Gallery and 2024 Honors Art Show. Two of her art pieces were showcased — and sold — at the Werk Gallery.
She’s set to graduate in May 2024 with a perfect 4.0 GPA and plans to sit for the CPA exam this summer. As she sets off for her next chapter, her story is about finding strength in the struggle and blooming even in the shade. Shao’s future is certainly bright, even as she plans to leave a trail of sunshine wherever she goes.
25 Under 25 Program 