Accounting and Criminology Majors
"IUP truly has gone beyond my expectations. Although IUP is a state school, students can gain the same skill set here as those who attend expensive, private schools. Through my experiences in Eberly, I have been able to experience many opportunities, like the Business Honors Program and Student Accounting Association, which have helped me grow and develop as a young professional. I am very grateful for the numerous opportunities throughout my time at IUP and I know they have paved the way for a successful future."
When most people learn I am from Lockport, NY, a small town north of Buffalo, they get a puzzled look on their face and ask how on earth I ended up in Indiana, PA. The truth is, I was an avid fencer in high school and wanted to attend a university that gave me a chance to continue the sport of fencing. Additionally, I had also really enjoyed my accounting courses, so knew I wanted to be an accounting major. As a result, I made a list of universities that offered a strong accounting program and a fencing club or varsity team. IUP had both of those key things and offered many additional opportunities. Two important opportunities were the Cook Honors College and the Eberly Business Honors Program. Although IUP was not the top university I was accepted to, I chose to attend IUP because I felt like it was the best fit and had the opportunities I knew would help me grow personally and succeed in the future.
In the fall of my sophomore year, I joined the Student Accounting Association (SAA). Although it was early in my academic career, I decided to run for the office of secretary in the spring of 2012 and was elected. As secretary, I was able to help the organization transform from having a dozen people at meetings to a consistent attendance of 80 to 90. I continued with my leadership role in the organization by being president of the SAA from spring 2013 to fall 2013. As a leader in the organization, I have helped to plan both the annual Accounting Recognition Dinner and Accounting Career Day. In the past two years, IUP Accounting events have become favorites for some of the accounting recruiters.
I have been able to improve my networking and communication skills through my leadership roles in the organization. Since the Student Accounting Association focuses on bringing in a variety of speakers from the accounting industry, I have been able to increase my understanding of career opportunities and grow my network.
Overall, I am very grateful for my experiences as a member and officer in the Student Accounting Association. The organization has solidified the skills I have learned in the classroom to help me become a confident, young professional who is about to enter the working world.
IUP has exceeded my expectations. Through networking events, the trip to New York City, great faculty, and classes, I have developed the skills I need to enter a career in accounting. The faculty really strives to get to know you and help you become the best you can be. Furthermore, the many student organizations within Eberly have allowed me to build on my experiences learned in the classroom and through the Cook Honors College and the Eberly Business Honors Program.
Additionally, I am truly grateful for the networking opportunities Eberly and the Cook Honors College has offered me. Specifically, this fall, a member of the accounting faculty was able to connect me with an IUP accounting alumnus who was also a member of the Robert E Cook Honors College. Through this connection, I was able to learn more about accounting firms in Buffalo, NY and it helped to secure a full time job after graduation. To attend IUP has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am hopeful I can give back as an alumna in the future.