Mentoring Comes Full Circle with Internships

Among the many opportunities to volunteer at the NJCPA, mentoring the next generation of CPAs is high on that list. Peter Bozzo, CPA, MST, co-managing partner along with his wife, Roseanne Bozzo, CPA, at Peter & Roseanne Bozzo PC, knows first-hand how mentoring can lead to great internships, actual jobs and growing the CPA pipeline — one member at a time.

Bozzo, who has tirelessly participated in the NJCPA’s Career Awareness program espousing the benefits of becoming a CPA to hundreds of high school students throughout New Jersey, recently assisted with arranging an internship for Katrina Birkeland, a student at The College of New Jersey, with one of his clients, Quality 1st Basement Systems of Cliffwood. Birkeland was a 2022 NJCPA Scholarship Award winner.

Internships help close the loop on what students learn in class and what they can learn through mentoring. “Mentoring provides benefits to both the mentor and the student being mentored,” explained Bozzo, adding that it allows the opportunity to share real-life work experiences, including both successes and challenges. Bozzo and his wife assisted Katrina and their client on various tasks during her internship.

Quality 1st Basement Systems also looked on the internship experience as a win. Samantha Sculthorpe, director of marketing and customer care, explained, “We teach our interns each gear of the business machine, the goals, responsibilities and how it plays a key role in the overall customer service experience.” As a previous intern at Quality 1st Basement Systems herself, she added, “The guidance offered here is motivating and empowering so that you push to exceed expectations and achieve greatness.”

Catherine Powers, CPA, PSA, a tax manager at Cullari Carrico LLC and a member of the NJCPA, was assigned as a mentor to Katrina this year. Powers, who considers her mentoring task to be a wonderful experience, said, “Participating in a mentorship program is one of the greatest ways to give back to our profession. I think a mentor can engage a young student and help to build a strong career path.” Powers noted that having those connections will help to bridge the gap between generations.

NJCPA members who wish to participate as a mentor and be matched up with students throughout their college experience can apply online at njcpa.org/mentor. Enrollment opens in January.