University of Kentucky Masters of Accounting student, Brooklyn Heideman has passed the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam on her very first try. An interactive data visualization software company, Tableau Software recommends that those planning to take the exam have at least three months of experience working with Tableau, but Heideman did it in only 2 and a half weeks. 
“I knew I'd pass by studying over time, but I didn't expect to pass on my first attempt,” she said. “I have never had any formal education on data or any software like Tableau, prior to the start of class this semester.”
Heideman also noted that her decision to take the exam was prompted by an incentive given her ACC 264 instructor, Dr. Dan Stone. “Dr. Stone provided an incentive - if we pass the exam, we received full credit on the midterm and final. Going into the accounting industry, I understand the significance of learning data visualization. I figured now is the best time to learn it, as it'll help me in class and better prepare me for my future in Accounting,” she said. 
Heideman has worked as an EMT, and has recently accepted a full-time position with Crowe. Her undergraduate degree is from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis in kinesiology and she aspires to apply her knowledge in accounting to the healthcare field. 

“I will definitely continue to learn more about data visualization in the future - maybe continuing my certifications through Tableau. There is still plenty in regard to the software that I would love to learn. I hope this certification provides me an additional tool throughout my career. I can't predict the future; however, the more diverse I can be, the more opportunities I hope to receive.”