Members Give Back with High School Visits

The NJCPA Career Awareness Program had a successful campaign in 2023. More than 60 members visited 65 New Jersey high schools.

The message to students was clear: it’s an exciting time to be an accountant and to become a CPA. Presentations focused on what an accounting career entails, the benefits and what a student can do with their CPA license.

“Returning to my high school as part of the NJCPA’s Career Awareness Program was incredibly fulfilling. It was when I was at the desks those students now sit in that I decided to pursue a career in accounting. Going back to share my experiences as a professional was incredibly rewarding,” said Tara M. Baldwin, CPA, a manager at WilkinGuttenplan, who visited Hillsborough High School in Somerset County. “The accounting profession has evolved so much over the past few years, it is exciting to share that with students — and hopefully play a small part in their decision to begin their journey to become a CPA.”

The teachers who were involved in the program were pleased with students’ interest after the presentations. Reacting to a discussion led by NJCPA member Michelle Gasiorowski, CPA, a partner at Bowman & Company LLP, Brandon Bond, jobs/co-op coordinator at Cinnaminson High School, said, “I believe it really helped to motivate a number of my students to consider accounting as a career. After your presentation, we had some great conversations. Students seemed very engaged in the topic and wanted to learn more.”

He added, “I thought the perspective of the different jobs you can do with an accounting degree really appealed to the students. A common theme from my follow up was that it is just not all about spreadsheets and numbers, but one can really become a business consultant.”

Similarly, Keith P. Brady, MBA, M.S., M.Ed., business education teacher at Pequannock High School, was also satisfied with the student takeaways after Sushma P. Madanbhavi, CPA, a tax senior at Deloitte, presented. “Ms. Madanbhavi truly energized many of my students who were leaning towards the profession to take more proactive steps towards a fulfilling career path. They are excited to take the plunge and begin networking as well.”

NJCPA members who are interested in presenting at a high school next fall can indicate so at njcpa.org/volunteer. Those who wish to become a mentor to a high school student and be matched up with students throughout their college experience can apply at njcpa.org/mentor.