Chapter Committee Takes Action: High School Outreach and Inaugural COAP

Chapter Committee Takes Action: High School Outreach and Inaugural COAP

By Christi Paul, Northeast Chapter Cooperation with Educators Committee Cochair

In an increased effort to reach out to middle school and high school students, the Northeast Chapter’s Cooperation with Educators Committee will focus on visiting classrooms and educating guidance counselors on the benefits of an accounting career. This call to action is a result of a recent brainstorming meeting with guidance counselors and career coordinators from five local school districts.

The purpose of the meeting was to reach out to counselors to determine ways in which the committee could effectively communicate with high school students about the accounting profession. Several of the school representatives felt that students are interested only in what they know and, for example, popular career interests are sometimes based on current television programming about attorneys, doctors or forensic scientists. Although a television program about accountants might not score well in the ratings, the point remains that accountants need to market the profession to entice students.

As it turns out, several of the school counselors were not very familiar with the accounting profession. It is nearly impossible to expect these individuals to provide guidance to students about career paths with which they are not familiar.

In light of these comments, it was proposed that the Cooperation with Educators Committee host an informational meeting for counselors and high school business teachers to educate them on the profession. With this education, they can provide additional career guidance for their students. The committee is in the process of planning this event for late April or early May 2005.

In addition to hosting this meeting for educators, the committee plans to make presentations directly to high school students this fall, either by attending career fairs or by speaking in classrooms.

In the same vein, the COAP Committee (a subcommittee of the Cooperation with Educators Committee) was busy this summer hosting the Northeast Chapter’s first Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program. The program was provided in conjunction with the City of Albany’s Youth and Family Services Program and the colleges of St. Rose and Siena. Eight high school students from the city of Albany attended the one-week academic course at the College of St. Rose and have been placed in a five-week internship paid for by the City of Albany. Many thanks to all participants for what we hope was a rewarding experience for all involved!

The Northeast Chapter Cooperation with Educators Committee is comprised of approximately 12 individuals, representing public practice, academia and college students. This committee was revitalized about three years ago when it started hosting an annual February event for college freshmen and sophomores who are undecided business majors. In the past, panelists discussed different specialties within the accounting profession, as well as a typical day of an accountant in his or her early years. This has been a successful event for the past two years, and the committee will begin planning it again for February 2005. Watch The Trusted Professional for further information about this program as plans progress.

If you are interested in learning more about the Cooperation with Educators Committee, please contact cochairs Christi Paul (cpaul@luriecpas.com, 518-456-4094) or Mike Durante (mdurante@dorfmanrobbie.com, 518-464-4080).