By: Sonya Guthrie
32 Students + 16 Colleges Represented + 4 Organization Visits + 12 Sponsors + 3 Incredible Days + Infinite Energy =
32 Future-ready, Future CPAs
It happened again! The moment when you are surrounded by an amazing group of students who will be future leaders in THE profession you know and love! And you take great pride in being a small part of their future success, knowing one day you will be able to say “I knew them when.”
The 4th Annual Student Leadership Academy kicked off May 31 with a group of 32 students from 16 different colleges. We were excited to host a record number of attendees this year continuing our goal of preparing talented accounting students for the workplace and further acquainting them with their future career.
From the start, attendees were immersed in activities and sessions that brought them closer to their future profession and themselves. With sessions on effective communications, how best to receive feedback, CPA exam updates, and the future of the profession, students walked away with skills and information that will set them apart from their peers. CliftonLarsonAllen, SB& Company, T. Rowe Price and Constellation provided a first-hand look at the inner workings of being a CPA by opening their doors to attendees for a tour, sponsored lunch and an informative session where students were able to ask questions and interact with staff.
Students were asked to describe the program and their experience in two words. We were blown away by the words/phrases they selected! We continue to be thankful that they share MACPA’s excitement for the event, which we aim to be “life-changing” and “unforgettable.”
Samantha Bowling, CPA, CGMA, MACPA’s incoming Board of Directors Chair, and partner at Garbelman Winslow in Upper Marlboro, played a key role in the event. Bowling remarked, “What an excellent program! I’m inspired by the students that will one day lead our profession. They will be exceptional leaders because this program focused on their learning about themselves and how to interact with others who share different skills. You cannot lead others if you do not understand what energizes you and those you are trying to lead. This program showed them that anything is possible and that becoming a CPA will allow them to work in any industry.”
In addition to those wonderful words describing the program, the students shared how they will use the knowledge they gained:
“To lead, learn, grow, and adapt in an ever-changing career.”
“It will allow me to grow and expand my knowledge in the accounting field and expand my network with other accountants, CPAs, and other great people.”
“I will use it to help myself maintain a growth market to overcome any obstacle.”
Thank you to everyone who made the event a success, especially our sponsors, speakers, and volunteers. Mark your calendar for next year! The dates are tentatively scheduled for May 30-June 1.
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“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”–John F. Kennedy