INCPAS Scholars, alumni, mentors and parents share thoughts at final event program.

The annual Alumni Workshop hosted at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art was the final event for the Indianapolis-area students who participated in the year-long INCPAS Scholars career awareness and mentorship program. It featured visits from Scholar alumni and current CPAs who shared do’s and don’ts for professional success and professional headshots for Scholar LinkedIn profiles.

 

The day’s workshop was followed by an evening reception attended by the Scholar families, volunteer mentors and INCPAS leaders to celebrate their successful completion of the program and presentation of a $500 academic gift.

During the course of the event,  Scholars shared what they had learned, their most valuable takeaways and how they will factor accounting into their future plans. Scholar alumni spoke about why they are dedicated to coming back to help current Scholars. And, finally, families of the Scholars talked about how they felt about having such driven, focused children.

 

SCHOLARS: TOP TAKEAWAYS & PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Jocelin A.
Freshman at Ivy Tech

Future plans: Major in accounting and/or earn MBA to get a better feel for how to run a business, possibly for event or wedding planning.
Favorite part of Scholars program: Listening to everyone’s point of view on school and work, and getting to ask questions of people who are extremely knowledgeable.

Ethan D.
Senior at Westfield High School

Future plans: Major in accounting or engineering.
Favorite part of Scholars program: College visits. I went to IU with my parents, and it was a completely different experience to go with the Scholars.
Most valuable takeaway for college: Focus. Don’t get distracted and let that impact your future.
Most important skill for the workplace: Network. That’s how you get job opportunities; talking about how they can help you and how you can help them.

Emanuel F.
Senior at Ben Davis University High School

Future plans: Graduate with high school diploma and associate’s degree and enroll in IUPUI Kelley School of Business to get master’s degree and major in accounting and finance. Start at an accounting firm to learn and attain soft skills, then use the knowledge to start own business in fashion and/or photography.
Most valuable takeaway for college: “You build your own timeline”—know that you might have to go about things differently than anyone else.
Most important skill for the workplace: Respect and communication.

Jordyn M.
Freshman at Baldwin Wallace in Ohio

Future plans: Major in accounting and minor in Spanish, then work for a CPA firm with international business/clients.
Favorite part of Scholars program: The day I met my mentor, Christina Cromer, and meeting new friends.
Most valuable takeaway for college: It’s okay to change my mind
in the type of accounting I want to do.

Karli M.
Junior at Westfield High School

Future plans: Enroll in the IU Bloomington Kelley School of Business (the program is amazing, and they go the extra mile with the accounting track!) to major in accounting, and possibly use that to work in the medical or healthcare field.
Favorite part of Scholars program: As a minority, it is kind of hard to fit in. Even if this group doesn’t have all the same struggles, we have the same goals and mindset, which is so helpful.
Most valuable takeaway for college: Time management. It seems so small, but it is everything.
Most important skill for the workplace: Teamwork. At a lot of these companies, you have to work on projects in groups.

Izak O.
Freshman at IUPUI

Future plans: Starting own business and getting involved in ministry.
Favorite part of Scholars program: Talking with actual CPAs.
Most valuable takeaway for college: Understanding accounting basics like cash flow values, financial reporting and how to read a financial statement.
Most important skill for the workplace: Accounting basics are lifetime skills that’s important for business and investors. Not too many people are fond of numbers, so being good at that will really help you stand out.

Genesis R.
Senior at Ben Davis University High School

Future plans: Major in accounting at Ivy Tech then transfer to IUPUI through the “ASAP” program. Start working at a smaller company then work way up into a larger corporation.
Favorite part of Scholars program: All the information, details and different points of view. They were all great.
Most valuable takeaway for college: Time management.
Most important skill for the workplace: Professional communication.

SUPER-SUPPORTERS: SCHOLAR ALUM

As a former Scholar, why do you think it’s important to come back to attend these events?

Four INCPAS Scholar alum attended to speak to the Scholars, and 10 more attended just to listen and meet with current Scholars.

Yakov Adelfinskiy
Umbaugh, staff consultant – accounting services

“These events are beneficial for people who are on the fence about accounting. There are so many facets you can get into, and this program really highlights that.”

Jesus Parra
Sophomore at IUPUI, applying to the Kelley School of Business, majoring in accounting and finance.

“I attend the alumni workshop because knowledge is power. You can never stop learning. Even if you’ve heard these talks before, there’s always something new you can take away and apply.”

Will Clinkscales
IU Health, financial analyst

“For me, attending this is a no-brainer. As long as my schedule permits, I’m always hands up. I want to give back to these students the way the Scholars program helped me. Helping them will help better the profession.”

James Lomax
IUPUI, Senior

“Especially for Scholars who want to start their own businesses: they need to know their friends don’t always have the best advice. They need to have access to the right people who understand what they want to do and how to get there.”

PROUD PARENTS

How has this program been beneficial for your child?

“[This program] is the best. Everyone’s been so kind. My son enrolled himself in this, and it’s the best resource for training. It makes me proud and happy. We are also proud to be American citizens and have this opportunity for his future and our family. We thank you so much for the whole year.” —Jose, Albert’s dad

“Seventeen is young, but nowadays you have to start early. It’s a good experience to have—to see the opportunities that are ahead of them. I also appreciated the financial aid night and finding out what to expect in terms of time and cost. Also to see the companies in the area that support this program.”  —Angela, Danielle’s mom

“It helps to get the kids to make a decision. Most sophomores don’t know what they want to do. They need a program like this to find out more about what they want or don’t want before they get too deep into it.” —Micah, Darielle’s dad

“I’m glad he’s taking advantage of this opportunity. If he follows through on everything planned, by the time he’s 22 he’ll have a masters degree and double major in accounting and finance. And I can give you one example right now of how this is helping him get there—his mentor, Dave, who’s here with him tonight and even joined him at his recent campus visit to IUPUI.” —Vance, Emanuel’s dad

WHAT’S NEXT: 2018–2019 Scholars

The Diversity Advisory Council selected 32 Scholars for the upcoming year — 24 in Indy and eight in South Bend. All applicants submitted an application, answered questions about challenges they’ve overcome and how they could benefit from having a mentor. Their year kicked off with the Scholars Welcome Dinner in August, attended by the students, parents and mentors to review what they can expect throughout the program.

ABOUT INCPAS SCHOLARS

The only one of its kind nationwide, the INCPAS Scholars is an award-winning, free year-long program encourages students to consider becoming a CPA by meeting practicing CPAs, touring CPA firms and businesses that employ CPAs, and participating in events throughout the year to get immersed in the profession. Support the Scholars.

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