July 1999 Issue

Minority Group Recruitment Committee Holds Annual Career Day

By Sanjay Paranandi

The NYSSCPA Minority Group Recruitment and Equal Opportunity Committee met with college students interested in the accounting profession at its annual career day on May 15. Established to assist junior and senior college students in pursuing a career in accounting, the career day connects students with individuals from various sectors of the accounting profession. The event also gives students the opportunity to learn how to conduct a successful job search, develop interviewing skills, acquire job-hunting techniques, and network.

Committee Chair Jo Ann Golden moderated two CPA panels. The public accounting panel featured J. Raymond Arroyo of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, James F. West II of Mitchell & Titus LLP, Paul Biegel of Joseph Warren & Co., Mark S. Goldfarb, own account, and Joseph Ammirati of Margolin Winer Evens LLP.

The private panel featured Raymond J. Paolantonio of Ernst & Young LLP, Lydia M. Washington of the Internal Revenue Service, Thomas Sullivan of the National Football League, Robert Brooker and Janet Brooker of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alex B. Ampadu of SUNY Buffalo, and Wilbert Donnay of Manhattan Community College. The speakers explained what they do and what makes their job interesting. They also collaborated to give an overview of the various accounting positions available. At the conclusion of the informative session, students had a chance to ask the panel questions.

Brenda Wyetzner of Career Advantage LTD conducted the next session, "How to Conduct a Successful Job Search/Networking." Wyetzner gave tips to help students get their desired position.

During a mock interview session committee members critiqued students to help them refine their skills for the real thing.

Ampadu, 1999­2000 Minority Group Recruitment and Equal Opportunity Committee chair, gave career day a positive review.

"This was an excellent event," he said. "Speakers from the FBI, NFL, and other organizations elaborated on the world of opportunities awaiting the students. Students had favorable impressions and were hopeful and enthusiastic about their future careers after listening to the panel."

Committee members Carlos Icaza, Robert B. Robinson, and Hamilton Dimaya Jr. also participated in the event.

The Minority Group Recruitment and Equal Opportunity Committee is planning another career day/fair this October. Firms interested in attending should contact NYSSCPA Recruitment Specialist Sanjay Paranandi at (212) 719-8364 or sparanandi@nysscpa.org. *