GFOA Scholarship Spotlight: Carrie Marckess

Carrie received the Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship in 2022.

Photo of Carrie Marckess

Q & A with Carrie

Where and what are you currently studying and why did you choose this?

I am finishing my Bachelor's in Accounting. Accounting was a perfect match for my skill set. Problem solving, attention to detail, and data analytics combined with technology and AI made Accounting an easy choice. I love being involved in a field that is ever changing. 

What government are you working or hoping to work at in the future?

I am currently an accountant for the City of Rolling Meadows in Illinois. Being born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, I am very thankful to be able to serve a community that I grew up in. I would love to continue my career path at Rolling Meadows; public sector finance will always be my passion. 

What are your future career goals?

My career goal is to some day be a finance director. I believe that old ways don’t open new doors. As a director I would be able to measure organizational effectiveness, create budgeting plans, and determine needed policy or procedure changes to best serve the community. I would also hope to use my role to inspire others the ways the director and interim director have inspired me since joining Rolling Meadows. 

Which GFOA scholarship did you receive and how will GFOA’s scholarship help you achieve those goals?

I was awarded the Jeffrey Esser Career Development scholarship. The GFOA scholarship will help ease some of the burden of student loans as I near graduation. The scholarship also help me continue my education with trainings offered by GFOA, and allow me to network with others on similar career paths through events such as the Young Professional Speed Networking Event at GFOA's Annual Conference.