Member Advises Students About Profession

By Sanjay Paranandi

Don Kiamie (Westchester) explained what CPAs do and why the accounting profession is a good career choice to more than 100 students at Walton High School in the Bronx on March 30. Kiamie, NYSSCPA Recruitment for CPA Careers Committee chair, spoke to the students in response to a Walks of Life invitation.

Walks of Life is a cooperative effort between industry, education, labor, and government to better prepare students for the demands of today's workplace. The program responds to a common concern about the lack of an adequately prepared workforce and reflects a growing recognition that closer collaboration between business and schools is necessary to address this problem. The Greater Hospital Foundation and New York City public high schools run the program, which was launched in nine public schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx in 1993.

Kiamie spoke to the students about the value of staying in high school and the importance of finding a good university with an accounting program.

"I told them that once they enter college and choose a major, it is very important to communicate with people in their chosen field because that feedback is a valuable resource," Kiamie said.

He said he felt the students reacted positively to the session, and he noted the necessity of continuing to reach out to the younger generation for the future growth of the profession.

"I came away satisfied that I opened their eyes to the profession," Kiamie said.