Stephanie Franks came to Market Street Partners as an intern through DOD SkillBridge, which provides opportunities for members of the US Armed Forces to gain civilian career experience in their final days of service. Upon completing her SkillBridge internship, Stephanie accepted a full-time role here at MSP, and we’re glad to have her enthusiastic spirit and can-do attitude on our team!
Take a moment to get to know Stephanie, and find out more about what DOD SkillBridge is doing for veterans and the businesses that employ them.
Q: Tell me a little about your personal and professional background.
Stephanie: I graduated from Ooltewah High School in 2017. I was working at Zaxby’s, and I knew I didn’t want to work there my entire life — nobody wants to come home smelling like chicken every day! — so I decided to try out classes at Chattanooga State. I did half a semester there, but school wasn't engaging to me at the time, so I joined the military in 2018. I spent the next five years serving in the US Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class. I worked on MH-60S helicopters as a structural mechanic in San Diego, California.
During my time in the military, I met my husband. We got married and had to decide where we would live together, so we picked Chattanooga, my hometown. My husband was happy to move here — he’s a northerner who loves the south! He’s still on deployment right now.
I moved everything here at the start of my SkillBridge internship with Market Street Partners, and this is where we plan to stay. I was accepted to UTC a few months before my SkillBridge internship started. I plan to start my classes at UTC this summer and intend on getting my CPA license after graduating in the next few years.
Q: How did you find out about the SkillBridge program, and what led you to pursue your internship through MSP?
Stephanie: I found out about SkillBridge through one of the mechanics in the shop where I worked in the military. Somebody mentioned the program, so I started doing my own research, looking at programs, seeing what different companies were offering, etc. I was specifically looking for accounting jobs because I knew accounting was what I wanted to get my degree in from UTC. Market Street Partners was the only company offering SkillBridge internships for accounting in Chattanooga. This is my hometown, this is where I wanted to be, and I decided that if the Navy would help me transition into a civilian job, I should apply.
I hoped an internship would be a way to get into the accounting field and see if it really is something I would want to go to college for. So I got in touch with the team at MSP, and we instantly clicked. I think by fate, everything got approved, and the next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Chattanooga.
Q: What were you hoping for as you entered your internship, and how are things going so far?
Stephanie: When I showed up here, I just wanted to learn more about accounting. MSP put me in a beginner position where I’ve been helping set up new clients, sending engagement letters, and assisting with tax prep, among other duties. I’ve already learned so much that it feels like everything I learned in helicopter maintenance has been replaced with accounting knowledge! I’m starting to learn the lingo and learn about all the different software programs MSP uses. It really feels like I’m getting a leg up in my accounting career even before starting school.
Q: What led you to pursue a career in accounting?
Stephanie: I’ve always loved math. When I was in high school, I either wanted to be a math teacher or work in accounting. I don’t know if I have the guts to stand up in front of a class and teach every day, so accounting seemed like a better fit for me. Something I’ve noticed since starting my internship at MSP is that I can start working on something, and I will look up and realize that a few hours have passed, but it feels like minutes. That’s how I know I really enjoy the work.
Q: Do you have any future career goals in mind?
Stephanie: I am so grateful to be able to work in the firm while I work on my degree — it’s great that I’m able to get the experience I’m getting in the duties I can fulfill that don’t require a CPA license. Once I graduate, I’d love to transition into more of a tax-focused role as a CPA. There’s definitely room for growth here, and I would love to grow with MSP.
Q: What would you tell someone who is considering the DOD SkillBridge program?
Stephanie: Start early. Get in contact with SkillBridge, talk to your command/duty station, and reach out to the points of contact at companies you are interested in. Also, start all of that as soon as you can. Even if you have 12+ months left on your contract, start doing your research. Be sure you know what locations you’re willing to move to and what kind of field you want to be in. There are lots of companies offering SkillBridge internships, but they’re also getting lots of applicants. So it’s important to know what you’re looking for specifically so that you can find what works best for you and the companies you’re applying to work for.
Q: Is there anything else you’d want someone to take away?
Stephanie: Don’t give up, and don’t be afraid to go after what you have dreamed about. Sometimes I feel like I’m really behind compared to people I graduated high school with who already have their bachelor’s degrees or who are already in their dream careers. I would want to tell someone like me that you never know when the tables are going to turn. You might get lucky like me and find a great SkillBridge program in your hometown! :)
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a DOD SkillBridge internship with Market Street Partners, click here to learn more.
