Megan Lee serves as senior district office administrator for the North of River Sanitary District in Bakersfield, California. She is seeking a BBA degree from Columbia Southern University and expects to graduate in 2024. Her career goal is to become a finance manager or controller, and eventually a chief financial officer for a government agency.

Q & A with Megan

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

I am studying at Columbia Southern University, working towards a Bachelor's in Business Administration. After researching what degrees were required for the government positions I was interested in, I chose Business Administration.

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

I am currently working as the senior district office administrator for North of River Sanitary District in Bakersfield, California. After completing my degree, my goal is to become a chief financial officer for a special district or local government agency.

What are your future career goals?

Once I complete my degree, which is set for late 2024, along with my eight years of government finance, I plan to search for a finance manager or administrative manager position leading into my ultimate goal of chief financial officer within a government agency. 

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

I was awarded the Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship. This scholarship will help tremendously with the financial burden that college tuition creates and will relieve the financial pressures to focus exclusively on my studies.