After years of hard work and graduating a semester early, Alex Perry, a 2025 graduate of the Romain College of Business, knew it was time to treat himself, but also to make the most of the transition between college and career. As an Accounting and Finance major, he had already built a strong foundation for what came next and secured a finance position in Virginia with a June start date. When his graduation approached this past December, he started to think about what he might accomplish before beginning his professional career.
With time before his new role, he planned something he’d always wanted to do—a van trip across the United States.
“Over the past few years, I’ve developed quite a passion for traveling and had built up a long list of places I wanted to see across the U.S. My family had a van that hadn’t been used in a while, so I took inspiration from van life creators on TikTok and YouTube and decided to convert it and take advantage of the opportunity to travel across the country,” Perry said. “I figured this was the perfect time for it.”
His trip spanned over 9,000 miles and 25 states. He spent the night in his van everywhere from desolate camp sites to Wal-Mart parking lots. But what made it worth it was the sights and sounds along the way.
He enjoyed several different National Parks including Bryce Canyon in Utah, Grand Teton in Wyoming as well as Death Valley and Redwood in California. But his favorite was Zion National Park in Utah.
“While I was there, I had the opportunity to ride an e-bike through the park,” Perry said. “That was an amazing experience.”
Throughout the trip, there were plenty of unexpected challenges—road closures, severe weather, even a blown tire. Those experiences taught him he always needs to remain flexible, a mindset he sees as directly relevant to his career in finance.
“I spent lots of time planning routes, estimating/managing expenses and had to navigate many unexpected challenges,” Perry said. “These experiences reinforced the importance of preparation and flexibility as well as gave me stories that may help me to connect with colleagues, build relationships, and expand my professional network.”
By making this trip right before beginning his professional career, Perry believes it will have a positive impact on his independence, adaptability and problem-solving skills. Three key aspects of working in finance.
During his time as an Accounting and Finance major in the Romain College of Business, Perry gained an education that also more than prepared him for a position like this. He was involved in several student organizations including Beta Alpha Psi, USI’s American Marketing Association Chapter, Accounting and Professional Services Club and Southern Indiana Dance Marathon. The student organizations and activities helped him gain confidence for his post-college career.
“Before graduating, the Romain College provided me with the resources, opportunities and support that helped set me up for success and led to multiple job offers. I feel confident entering my career because of the knowledge I gained and the network of professors, staff and alumni I can continue to reach out to for advice and support,” Perry said. “I truly appreciate the connections I’ve built through the college and know they will continue to play a role throughout my career.”
Perry began a two-year Finance Rotation Program with The MITRE Corporation in the company’s McLean, Virginia, offices outside of Washington, D.C. this June. He looks forward to continuing to build a strong foundation across corporate finance, analytics and strategic decision-making.
When it comes to advice for future grads, he says students shouldn’t feel pressured to have everything figured out. Sometimes things don’t always happen right away. He says it’s important to stay focused and not overstress about what your future may hold.
“Everyone takes different paths, so it's important not to compare yourself to your peers,” Perry said. “Focus on taking opportunities that interest you and trust that things will work out over time.”
For Perry, the journey from the classroom to the open road—and now to the start of his professional career—has been about making the most of each opportunity. With both the preparation he gained at USI and the perspective he built along the way, he’s ready to take the next step.
To view a gallery of photos from the trip, click here.