Seth Zackery (B.B.A. '24)
Two years after graduating with an accounting degree, Seth Zackery (B.B.A. ’24) still proudly calls himself a Panther, crediting Georgia State with helping him find the formula to a successful and rewarding career.
Interview by Zohra Basmadjian
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Atlanta and moved to Conyers, Ga., after graduating from college. I graduated in spring 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. It was truly the best university I could have chosen. It’s where I learned to navigate both the business and academic worlds, built friendships and grew as a person. I’m proud of GSU and I still use the knowledge I gained there every day.
How do the skills from your major and time at GSU connect to your career?
GSU did a lot for me. Without it, I wouldn’t have the job I have now. Majors Management hired me at a career fair the J. Mack Robinson College of Business held, and the skills I learned — from negotiation to interviewing to basic accounting practices — helped me land the position.
The school not only taught me the knowledge I needed but also connected me with real employers. I thank God for GSU because it opened the doors that led me to where I am today.
What do you do in your role?
I’m an accountant at Majors Management in Lawrenceville, Ga. My title is fuel accounting specialist. I account for fuel bank records and make sure money and fuel are where they’re supposed to be. If something is off, I troubleshoot by contacting vendors, checking balances and figuring out where discrepancies are coming from. I go through all the numbers, make sure they balance and take the steps needed when they don’t.
You previously had a job related to AI work. Why did you switch from AI to accounting?
During my junior and senior years, I worked for Outlier AI. This was around the time when ChatGPT and other AI models were becoming competitive. I was hired to help evaluate AI outputs, which meant prompting the models and checking whether the responses sounded real or gave false information. It taught me how AI works and how to prompt it effectively.
Eventually, I wanted to work in something related to my degree and where I felt I could make an impact in my community. The company I’m with now serves many Lawrenceville businesses, and I feel like what I do directly supports the people around me. That’s why I made the transition.
What kind of impact does your company have on the community?
Majors Management is a fueling and property management company. We own some convenience stores and supply fuel to others. We’re essentially a distributor of an essential resource. We serve much of Georgia and the Southeast.
Were you involved with any clubs at GSU?
I was involved in the Behind the Lens film club, which opened me up to how media is produced, from the planning process to the distribution process. It allowed me to gain real-world experience with visual productions and opened the door for me to work on several television series and movies.
What was the biggest surprise about life after graduating from GSU?
Realizing I was more prepared than I thought. GSU became home. I built lifelong friendships and became comfortable. I worried about whether I was ready for the real world, but thanks to God and the education I received, I absolutely was. The biggest surprise was how prepared I was to step into my career and adulthood.
