Education Empowers: Riley Perri
Education has the power to open doors, build confidence and create opportunities that last a lifetime. Riley Perri is an Arizona State University graduate, whose journey reflects the transformative impact of education both inside and outside the classroom.
Inspired by her father to pursue a degree in accounting, Riley embraced the challenge of entering a historically male-dominated field. Through her academic experiences and internships with RSM, PwC and Deloitte, she has seen firsthand how classroom learning translates directly into real-world success. This fall, she will continue building on that foundation as she begins her master’s program in accounting.
Below, Riley shares more about her journey in her own words through our four-part video series.
Finding Career Inspiration
Riley’s journey into accounting began at home. She credits her father as her biggest inspiration. Watching his dedication and success sparked her interest in business and ultimately led her to pursue a career in accounting.
Riley’s father encouraged her and her sister to see business as a space where women belong. As Riley shares, the increasing presence of women in business reinforced that these opportunities were open to them.
Her advice to other women considering careers in traditionally male-dominated fields is simple but powerful: hold your head high, walk in with confidence and own your space. There are no longer “male” or “female” fields — everyone deserves to be there equally.
Digital Learning Supports Student Success
Throughout her time at Arizona State University, Riley used Cengage in courses including calculus, statistics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. Digital tools like MindTap and WebAssign played an important role in her learning experience.
With the ability to access coursework on her laptop, Riley found it easier to stay organized and keep up with assignments. Features like highlighting and keyword search tools helped her study more efficiently, allowing her to quickly locate and review key concepts.
For Riley, having streamlined, accessible resources made a meaningful difference in managing rigorous coursework and building a strong academic foundation.
Classroom Knowledge in Practice
Riley quickly discovered that what she learned in the classroom had direct applications in her internships.
During her internship with RSM, she relied on her tax notebook to apply foundational concepts while working on tax returns. Now, as an intern with PwC, she frequently refers back to the notes from her courses to ensure accuracy and precision in her work.
She was surprised by just how often she referenced concepts from her coursework in professional settings. The overlap between academic learning and hands-on experience reinforced the value of mastering foundational principles — proving that what happens in the classroom truly prepares students for the workplace.
Later this year, Riley will continue expanding her experience with an internship at Deloitte, further building on the skills she developed during her time as an undergraduate.
Education is Power
When asked how education has impacted her life, Riley’s answer is clear: education is a form of power that cannot be taken away.
Her degree helped her secure internships with leading firms such as PwC and Deloitte and positioned her for continued growth in the accounting field. This fall, she will take the next step in her journey by beginning her master’s program in accounting, further investing in her future.
Riley’s story is a testament to the enduring value of education: it builds confidence, creates opportunity and equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed long after graduation.
Learn more:
Head to the Success Stories page of our website to hear from more learners about how education empowers.
If you’re interested in working where jobs make a difference, read about what it’s like to work at Cengage and check out our careers page for open roles.