A common element of many successful companies is a mentorship program where each new employee is paired with a seasoned employee at the firm to learn skills and information. Mentorship programs essentially ensure the continuous flow of well-trained, competent employees for firms.
Since mentorship programs have proven so successful at companies, why not begin participating in one before joining a firm? This is exactly why the New Jersey Society of CPAs created its mentorship program for high school scholarship winners who are aspiring CPAs. The Society pairs college-bound accounting majors with CPA professionals. These mentors can help answer questions students may have on their career paths, serve as role models, provide future employment connections or simply be a friend looking out for students’ best interests. This mentorship program is also helping New Jersey cultivate a competent group of young CPAs for the demanding business needs of the future.
My experience as a student in a mentorship program has been fantastic. Since the day I was paired with my mentor, Karl Halteman, CPA, we have remained in constant contact. We introduced ourselves via email and then set up a time to meet in person. We hit it off from the start and had much in common. We discovered that his wife was actually my elementary school music teacher – quite the small world! Over the following few months, we continued to communicate and we had the chance to talk in person again when we attended the NJSCPA Scholarship Awards ceremony. Soon after, I saw Karl again when he made a surprise visit to my high school graduation and gave me a certificate and a book on the accounting profession. It was really great to have his support on my big day, and my classmates and teachers were very impressed to hear of my connections with the NJSCPA.
After my graduation, we scheduled a day to play golf with my father and my father’s accountant from work, Chris. We all had a fantastic day, and it was a great opportunity for Karl and me to bond further. Karl, my father and Chris were all accounting majors in college, and they had a plethora of advice for this soon-to-be accounting major. Before I left for school, Karl was gracious enough to give me some more of his valuable time, and we had dinner together. At dinner, he offered some last-minute advice for me to take to school the following week. We maintained contact throughout the first semester and met whenever I was home on break.
The mentorship program has already provided me with so many great opportunities, and I only see it becoming more useful as I progress toward taking the CPA Exam. Karl has been an outstanding role model for me and has helped me a great deal.
The NJSCPA Mentorship Program is truly one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had. It is not a one-off program, but will instead have a lifelong, positive effect on me and my career. Karl started his career at Deloitte, the same place I hope to start my career. With hard work and people like Karl supporting me in my professional pursuits, working at Deloitte could be a reality some day. I realize, of course, I will only get out of the program what I will put into it. That is why I continue to make the effort to stay in touch with Karl – whether it is lunch, a game of golf or just chatting though email.
To learn more about the NJSCPA Mentor Program visit njscpa.org/students. Not an NJSCPA high school scholarship recipient? The NJSCPA offers many networking opportunities at which you can find a mentor. We suggest going to Young CPAs events, reaching out on NJSCPA Connect, joining an interest group and applying to attend The Scholars Institute.
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