Business
MST Program Defined by Critical Thinking Its the thought process you develop thats most useful, says Brent Sabot, MST 17. The program has shaped the way I think about the tax profession
Kogods MS Taxation program was Brent Sabots second choice守ntil he took a couple of tax classes. Sabot, initially an MS Accounting student, knew he wanted to switch programs as soon as he finished his first Kogod taxation course. Tax policy, the tax code, its connection to the business worldall of it fascinated me, he says. I was hooked.
Sabot and hasnt looked back since. He relishes the experiences hes had at Kogodmany of which are specific to Washington, DC.
The schools DC location is a key reason the MST is so strong, Sabot says. Its home in the nations capital affords experiences he couldnt get elsewhere, like field trips to the US Treasury and meetings with high profile tax judges. I cant imagine studying taxation in any other city, he says. Youve got to be in Washington to pursue this field.
The most impactful part of the program for Sabot, however, is working with Kogods .
Sabot, a research assistant at the Center, supports staff through research and analysis of tax legislationtasks that bridge classroom theory to real-world practice. You dont get this type of learning experience just studying for an exam, he says.
This past semester, Sabot was also a technical contributor to , the Tax Policy Centers latest research publication. He says that by working on the report, he learned the full research process: addressing a question, identifying sources and speaking with subject matter experts.
, the Tax Policy Centers managing director, sees Sabot more as a colleague than as a research assistant. Hes been an invaluable member of the team. I really appreciate Kogods MST program because it has developed his research skills so thoroughly, she says. The best part of Kogods MST, though? It teaches students to apply what they learn to all walks of life.
Sabot says Kogods MST taught him how to think. The knowledge he gained is valuable, but what hell ultimately leave with is a deeply analytical mindset. Its the thought process you develop thats most useful, he says. The program teaches you critical thinking.
One only has to look at the MST facultys approach to understand how. Sabot recalls how , one of the programs core faculty members, challenged him to analyze The Godfather from the perspective of a tax practitioner.
You know they have their olive oil business, but you dont know where theyre buying it from, explains Sabot. Are they traveling overseas for it? Getting it in their home country? Theres a lot of tax-related questions here.
He says the class, and the program as a whole, encouraged him to see taxation through a broader lens. Taxation affects everything, says Sabot, which he didnt fully realize prior to studying at Kogod. It touches on every aspect of our daily lives, he says. And if you want to be an informed business professional, you have to know the tax consequences of your decisions.
Sabot is set to graduate this December, after which hell work as a tax associate at RSM, a national audit, tax and consulting firm. Hes ready to start his career, but is glad hes got one last semester ahead of him. Ive really appreciated my time here, he says.
Most of all, hes grateful for the broader perspective the program has given him. Sabot will graduate equipped with highly developed critical thinking skills, and a deep understanding of the fields connection to the business world.
He credits Kogod with giving him the foundation he needs for success. The program has shaped the way I think about the tax profession, he says. Im starting my career with a lot of knowledge and confidence.
Learn more about Kogods MS in Taxation program.