Several dozen students and a few volunteers from NCACPA’s Diversity Action Committee and Young CPA Cabinet braved torrential downpours and a flash flood watch to participate in NC A&T State University College of Business and Economics’ 38th annual Private Industry Workshop (PIW) on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. PIW, a student-led event hosted jointly by the university’s ALOBEAEM Accounting Society and NABA Student Chapter, is designed to foster relationships between accounting, finance, and MIS students and professionals in the workforce. The three-day event begins with an evening networking reception and workshop and concludes with students interviewing with national companies for coveted summer internships.
NCACPA members Cynthia Carter, Shawana Karkouki, Michelle Goslin, and LaVonne Montague enjoyed discussing career options with students, critiquing resumes, and conducting mock interviews during the evening workshops. The variety of those members’ experiences, ranging from early career to retired and public accounting to governmental accounting, allowed them to share a wide range of first-hand knowledge.
The volunteers also directed students to NCACPA resources and information, including the revamped website highlighting scholarship opportunities like the Minority Accounting Student Scholarship, which is launching online in November of 2016. Students and faculty heard about the benefits of free student memberships with both NCACPA and AICPA. Those in attendance also enjoyed the NCACPA swag provided, such as Future CPA sunglasses, salary guides, and “Destination: CPA” roadmaps.
The students at NC A&T State University are always professional and approach the PIW experience seriously. Many show great interest in the profession and are excited about the opportunities that await them. The Diversity Action Committee is pleased to continue to support the event and play a role in preparing students to be future CPAs. We look forward to doing more with these populations to increase diversity in the profession!
The Diversity Action Committee actively seeks opportunities to promote the accounting profession within our communities and increase diversity within the profession. The committee also works to identify and create opportunities for the professional growth and development of underrepresented CPAs. For more information, email Holly Bazemore at [email protected].