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Faculty > College of Business prepares accounting students for careers, internships through annual career fair
College of Business prepares accounting students for careers, internships through annual career fair
September 7, 2018
Students in the School of Accountancy at Georgia Southern University have an advantage when it comes to finding internships and careers in the accounting field thanks to the dedication of professors and staff who continually work to mentor their students.
Using their own professional career experiences to guide accounting majors through the progression of passing the CPA exam and becoming career-ready professionals, professors and staff work with students individually and prepare them for special events, including a career fair specifically for accounting majors called Meet the Firms.
At Meet the Firms, which has been held each fall for 19 years, students are given the opportunity to talk with recruiters and current firm staff about career goals and what to expect when going into an internship or career in public accounting.
Students are prepped for the event by the faculty and staff in the accounting department through professional development sessions. These required sessions prior to the event ensure the students are ready to put their best foot forward when meeting with recruiters. The professional development sessions cover topics ranging from acceptable professional attire, to proper conversation etiquette, to how to follow up with recruiters. Before Meet the Firms, all accounting majors in attendance must have their résumé approved by the Office of Career and Professional Development.
This year’s event was held Aug. 29 at the Nessmith-Lane Center on the Statesboro campus. More than 30 regional public accounting firms and businesses specializing in advisory and financial planning attended the event, recruiting Georgia Southern accounting majors for internships and full-time positions at their firms. The event, held every year during the peak recruitment season for accounting firms, showcases students looking for internships and full-time positions prior to the tax and audit busy season.
“Meet the Firms helped me to get my foot in the door with public accounting firms around the region,” stated Masters of Accounting student Katherine Wagner. “I felt prepared for the event thanks to the help of the professors in the accounting department, and I plan to get an internship as a result of this event.”
