Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Connor Lowery-North moved to Oregon as a teenager and soon found a sense of belonging. Drawn to the University of Oregon for its energy, community, and opportunity, he shared, “When I finally visited campus in the spring, even without people around, I could just feel really good energy.” After completing his undergraduate degree in accounting last spring, Connor decided to continue his education at the Lundquist College as a student in the Master of Accounting program.
Interestingly, accounting was not Connor’s initial passion. Early internships took him into the world of sound design for shows, where he nurtured his creativity. “For a while, I thought that’s what I wanted to do after college, but I realized it was way less stable than something like accounting,” he explained. A piece of advice from a supervisor stuck with him: “If you can understand the numbers behind it, you can find a job in any industry you want.” With a father whose career in accounting and consulting spanned PwC, Arthur Andersen, and Grant Thornton, Connor recognized the versatility and value of the profession.
Connor describes accounting as both evolving and essential. “Accountants really understand the rules and can keep businesses on track; what’s legal, what’s a smart strategy. That’s why it’s still so important: it sets the path for everyone else to follow.” His own path has led him toward tax, a field he chose for its focus on strategy and client care, though he plans to eventually leverage his accounting experience toward consulting in entertainment strategy, ideally in Southern California’s burgeoning Technology, Media, and Telecom sector.
The accounting program at UO hasn’t been without challenges. “People underestimate how many strange rules there are. It’s not just adding and subtracting—there are so many exceptions. Upper-level classes like 450 and 470 get really complicated, especially with tax exceptions.”
Despite the hurdles, Connor credits engagement and persistence as the keys to his success. “Go to office hours and ask questions. A lot of people are scared to because they don’t want to look lost, but if you’re confused, chances are others are too. Don’t be afraid to feel embarrassed—that’s how you grow,” he shared.
Outside the classroom, Connor is deeply engaged in the campus community. He is an active member of the Oregon Consulting Group and the Oregon Blockchain, where he teaches a Blockchain 101 class to new members. Outside of school, his passions extend to music, climbing, and exploring the potential of AI, especially its impact on accounting. “Accounting looks different for every type of client, and new tech like decentralized currencies is already affecting it,” he noted. Connor continues to prove that an accounting degree can open doors across industries, from business strategy to the creative world.