On May 29-31, Saunders College of Business hosted a group of high school students for an immersive, overnight, on-campus experience, as part of Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP). COAP “provides real insight into how CPAs influence the business world. The program is an important component of the New York State Society of CPAs' (NYSSCPA) efforts to recruit an increased number of students into the accounting profession, with a particular focus on those from underrepresented groups.”
The program, which was led by Shayla Scott ‘16 (accounting) ‘17 (MBA), senior manager at MMB + CO and Saunders Accounting Advisory Board member, included workshops on many aspects of the accounting profession (such as public accounting both tax and audit, forensic accounting, tech-powered accounting etc.) as well as on soft skills such as (resume writing, networking, mock interviews, etiquette dinner etc.). Current accounting students at Saunders also volunteered at this event: Brian Yan ‘26 (accounting), Olivia McDonald ‘26 (accounting), and Vivian Tran ‘27 (accounting).
Students experienced life on campus with overnight stays in the RIT dorms and meals at on campus dining facilities. The weekend got started on Friday afternoon with an introduction to the COAP and NYSSCPA Icebreaker event, campus tour, dinner, and Kickball game. Students also experienced a free time break in the Gordon Fieldhouse athletic facilities, and capped off the weekend with a commencement event.
Saunders welcomed 29 students ranging in age from 14-year-old freshmen to graduating high school seniors. They represented a diverse group of schools from across the region, including Edison Tech in the Rochester City School District, Williamsville North in Buffalo, and even a student from Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Says Scott, “The students had a fantastic experience and gained valuable exposure to the accounting profession."
