June 2000

COAP Alumnus Goes Back to School

Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) alumnus Damon Duke, a member of the 1993 COAP class, recently spoke at a career night at Grover Cleveland High School in Brooklyn. Duke, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, spoke with seventh to 12th graders with various levels of interest in the profession: Some were just curious, but others were planning to major in accounting in college and pursue an accounting career. Duke related his experiences, focusing on how participating in COAP helped shape his future.

Since 1987, COAP has been exposing minority students to the profession. The NYSSCPA-, FAE-, accounting profession-, and academia-sponsored program provides an all-expense paid college residential learning experience for minority high school juniors using an intensive curriculum to teach students about financial statement analysis, computers, goal setting, resume writing, and verbal presentation skills, among other business and personal development topics. Students also attend field trips to accounting firms and other businesses.

CPAs and other business professionals serve as important role models and teach all of the classes. An advisory board of accounting and business professionals oversees the program. This year's residencies take place June 2529 at Pace University in Westchester County and June 2428 at Hofstra University on Long Island.

Duke, 23, said he can relate to students because it was not long ago that he was in their shoes. He enjoys talking to students about why they should choose accounting as a career.

"It's important to give back and keep getting students interested in the profession to help make it more diverse," he said.

Member Support Needed

In addition to NYSSCPA funding, COAP is supported by donations from individuals, accounting firms, and corporations. This year, the Society's 20002001 dues invoice will include a new check-off option for a suggested COAP donation. Members also can send tax-deductible donations made payable to the Foundation for Accounting Education to COAP, NYSSCPA/FAE, 530 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036-5101. For more information, contact Ed Parker at (212) 719-8313, (800) 633-6320, or eparker@nysscpa.org. *