This summer, the School of Business joined with the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants to host Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession. The residential program brought minority high school students to UAlbany for three days.

Business professionals from KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Marvin and Company and our own School of Business Office of Career Services led sessions on interviewing, resume writing, business attire and etiquette, public speaking and careers in accounting.

The students lived in the dorms and attended classes and took trips during the day.

Tyrone Reid, ‘00, Director of Finance and Business for the School of Business and Suzanne Traylor, Lecturer, a board member of the NYSSCPA and the chair of the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession program for the NYSSCPA’s Northeast chapter, were instrumental in organizing the program. 

Traylor said, “There are so many opportunities for accountants besides working as a CPA in a CPA firm. Accountants have diverse careers in government, industry, education and non-profit organizations. Many accountants are financial experts, consultants, and leaders of major corporations. A business career might be the ticket for a lot of these kids to use their math skills.”

Over 1,900 students have taken part in COAP at 10 different universities since the program began in New York State in 1987.

Here’s what three of the participants had to say about their COAP experience at UAlbany:

	“The class on presentations gave me a lot of techniques to use.  I feel like I’ll do better in school, in job interviews and in life.” - Shenekwa Stewart, Albany High School.
	“The overall experience was great – interacting with students and having a one-on-one with teachers. I learned how to ask questions at interviews and how to network. Even if a person can’t help you, they might know someone who would help you.” - Malik Bland,Albany High School
	“The opportunities in accounting are endless.  With my CPA I have options. It’s good to know that you can do anything.  You can apply accounting concepts to any area of your life.” - Jasmine Horton, Troy High School