Career Opportunities: Coming to a School Near You

Every year, local chapters of the New York State Society of CPAs reach out to students with scheduled visits to area colleges and universities and awards evenings that honor academic excellence in accounting.

These events provide students with valuable information about the accounting profession and give them a chance to mingle with experienced CPAs in various industries and firm practices.

The Society’s 17 chapters often work with local schools to foster a network with students pursuing an accounting degree and students who have yet to declare their major but are considering becoming a CPA. The college visits impress upon the students the benefits of an accounting degree, reveal firsthand the many career paths that a CPA license affords, and, on occasion, even help aspiring professionals land jobs in the accounting field.

The student awards events recognize local accounting students who have academically excelled. After receiving nominations by participating colleges, the chapters usually judge the students according to their academic record, a required written essay and their potential to succeed in the profession. These student awards evenings also feature keynote speakers who offer advice and further encourage the pursuit of an accounting career.

These NYSSCPA chapter-related student activities currently are being planned for the remainder of 2002 as well as for 2003. You can receive more information on them and inquire about dates by contacting Xiomara Fox, upstate chapter relations manager, at (212) 719-8395 or xfox@nysscpa.org, or Sheila Griffiths, downstate chapter relations senior manager, at (212) 719-8391 or sgriffiths@nysscpa.org.