Why accounting major Jason Garnett chose Clemson and stayed

Although the draw to Clemson’s athletic teams was the initial reason Jason Garnett decided on Clemson for his college experience, it was his education at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business that made him stay.

As he began to look at colleges while in high school, Garnett knew he wanted one with a vibrant school spirit and a great athletics team. He wanted something out of state from Bridgewater, New Jersey, so he could branch out and experience somewhere different. Garnett had heard of Clemson before applying due to being an avid football fan, but when he began to dig into a little more about the University and took a tour with a family friend and then later with a business school tour guide, he knew this was where he wanted to end up.

“When I met with a representative from the business school, that’s when it really clicked for me,” says Garnett. “Everyone I met was so nice and welcoming, and they answered all my questions. They showed me what classes I’d take in my first and second semesters, which was super helpful. Honestly, the warm February weather compared to New Jersey didn’t hurt either. That visit really sold me on Clemson.”

With encouragement from his mother, who was an accountant herself, Garnett found out about his career interest early on in high school. Joining the business school as a prebusiness major only confirmed this for him as he began taking accounting classes.

“I liked how accounting is this mix of math and organization and how everything just clicks in the end. Going through each transaction and seeing how it all fits together is what got me interested, so I applied as an accounting major, thinking I’d see how it went with the first couple of classes. But once I started taking accounting at Clemson, I really liked it and stuck with it.”

During his first year, Garnett lived in the Community for Undergraduate Business Students (CUBS), where he found support both from the advisors and the friends he made along the way, including his current roommate. Jason also credits his advisors for their guidance, particularly Faith Diemer, his Cubs advisor, who played a key role in helping him navigate his pre-business curriculum.

“[Diemer] was awesome—she helped all of us freshmen figure out registration and made the pre-business stuff way less confusing. Her door was always open, and she made it easy to ask questions, like when I was deciding on my accounting major and finance minor.”

One of his most meaningful experiences has been joining Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society. Through this organization, Garnett has access to regular networking opportunities, panels and guest speakers featuring accounting professionals. “We’ve had sessions on interviewing, professional communication and even imposter syndrome,” Jason shared. “It’s been an incredible resource for professional growth.”

Graduating in December 2025, Garnett plans on enrolling in Clemson’s Master’s in Professional Accountancy Program. “I’m excited for the program because although I won’t be actually at Clemson, I’ll still be in Greenville as a Clemson student still. I’ve loved my time here, and even though it’s bittersweet knowing I have one semester left, I’m looking forward to continuing my education at my favorite university.”