Future Looks Bright …Let’s Make it Brighter

Every year, the Arizona Society of CPAs visits universities and colleges to address accounting students on the amazing opportunities available to them as CPAs.  Some of our younger dedicated members volunteer to speak to our eager audiences.  Our members talk vibrantly and enthusiastically about their profession. You can literally see the eyes of the students getting wider and wider as they listen to sage advice from those not much older than them. I am so proud of those currently representing the profession, and future CPAs look pretty bright too. 

Our CPAs volunteers are always well-prepared for these student outreach initiatives. However, I must admit, I provide the questions they will be asked in advance. Nothing wrong with helping our members look good in front of future employees or colleagues. Some of the questions we ask include:

•  Why did you decide to become a CPA?
• Could you share any stories you have of interesting experiences you have as a CPA?
• What strengths are important to be a good CPA?
• Could you share with the students/future CPAs any professional/life advice you wish you would have heard when you were starting out as a CPA/young professional?

My two favorites are the types of strengths that are important to be a good CPA and when our volunteers share professional/life advice they wish they would have heard when they were starting out.

Strengths mentioned vary, but some of the common ones are learning to network, becoming a good listener and improving verbal and written communications skills. You may be able to find someone straight out of college with these superior skills, but chances are slim—very, very slim.

Too many times, I’ve heard employers complain that their younger staffers need to improve in those areas, and I agree wholeheartedly. This is one of the reasons we reach out to colleges and universities. We can all do our part in educating our future professionals now. This task should not fall solely on accounting faculty and staff.  

Yes, networking is extremely crucial to the success of any professional.  That’s why I have written two posts on this very topic.

Do You Know the Secret to Building a Network of Key Contacts?

Networking Tips for all Generations.

O.K., no more shameless plugs of my previous posts.

I admit that I am constantly working on improving as a writer and presenter. And yes, I have had help along the way and still do. Our members volunteer to help the younger generation, and the ASCPA will continue to find opportunities for them to assist those in the pipeline. With our assistance, current accounting students will one day make good CPAs. The future of this honorable and diverse profession looks bright indeed. So, if you are a young CPA, and would like to give back to the profession by sharing your experiences, give me a call.

Enjoy lighting the way for those who will one day fill your shoes.

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