February 2000

Career Day Draws High School Students to Society

The NYSSCPA Recruitment for CPA Careers Committee, chaired by Marc Zand, held its annual Career Day at the Society offices on November 19. The event drew more than 75 students and educators from New York City high schools, including Brandeis High School, John Dewey High School, Madison High School, and Stevenson High School--all participants in the Academy of Finance program, which attracts talented students interested in finance and business.

Attendees listened to presentations from CPAs regarding the diverse fields available in the accounting profession. In addition to Zand, speakers included committee members Frank Basile, Kathleen Brown, Mindy Chrystal, Angela Jervis, Susan Kent, Don Kiamie, Barbara Marotta, Barbara O'Connell, and Cliff Weinstein; Friedman Alpren & Green LLP Human Resources Director Michael Gaines; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP representatives Julia Conrad and David Finn; and Pace University students Nadim Hegazi, Brenda Natarajan, and Anna Ahigun.

Speakers told the story of their individual career paths and answered many questions from student attendees.

"I definitely learned a lot about the many fields available in accounting," said John Dewey High School student Sue Ann Lynton.

At Career Day's mock interview session students got a firsthand look at a professional interview.

"All the students had a great time," Zand said. "These students are very focused and career-oriented, and we are glad that this committee can provide them with the insight they need to be successful professionals in the future."

After the presentations, students visited five different firms to get a taste of a CPA's life in the workplace. The NYSSCPA would like to thank the tour sponsors: Ernst & Young LLP, Friedman Alpren & Green LLP, KPMG LLP, Richard A. Eisner & Co. LLP, and Shapiro & Lobel.

"I know I want to be an accountant, and this session helped me define my goals," said John Dewey High School student Monica Parozonko. "I am glad my school was here. The session was interactive and a lot of fun." *