Making Career Connections
25 area high school students had a chance to learn about Accounting as part of the first 2023-2024 Discover Day event.
For the second year in a row, our Discover Days started off with Discover Accounting Day. Perry & Associates once again hosted, sponsored, and were part of the event with 25 high school students and three educators from schools in and around Washington County. Students had a chance to hear about different career opportunities in accounting, and in accounting organizations like Perry & Associates. They were able to do different activities and network with the staff. They also enjoyed a pizza lunch thanks to our 2023-2024 Discover Day Pizza Sponsor, Smitty’s Pizza. Because of Perry & Associates, Smitty’s Pizza, and our 2023-2024 Discover Day Series Sponsor, Par Mar Stores, Discover Days are free opportunities for students, educators, and businesses to showcase different career opportunities and discuss what career pathways can look like. They also received a free membership to the Ohio Society of CPAs.
Perry & Associates CPA Advisory Manager Brett Burns shared a unique connection he was able to make during the event:
During our Discover Accounting Day event for local high school students, I had a wonderful encounter thanks to Kristi from Building Bridges to Careers. She informed me that two seniors in the group had their sights set on attending Marietta College to pursue a degree in accounting. Upon learning that I am a proud Marietta College alum, Kristi suggested that I introduce myself to the girls and help them establish a connection with our beloved institution. It just so happens that Professor Johnson, who played a pivotal role in my own education, continues to lead the Public Accounting and Accounting programs at Marietta College.
Towards the end of the event, I had the privilege of engaging in a brief conversation with these enthusiastic young students. Their passion and excitement for their educational journey and their experience at Discover Accounting Day were truly inspiring. We exchanged contact information, and I took the initiative to connect them with the faculty at Marietta College, with the hope that this early networking opportunity would provide them with a valuable head start on their academic journey. This heartwarming example serves as a testament to the power of networking, even at the earliest stages of a student's development, and how it can yield significant benefits for those who seize such opportunities.
BB2C’s 2023 – 2024 Discover Day Series includes both collaborative events with local partners and stand-alone BB2C events. This fall, we offered Discover Accounting Day in September and partnered with The Washington County Career Center on their Manufacturing in Action event at the beginning of October. We will be partnering with both the Career Center and Washington State Community College for two separate Healthcare Profession events this winter. The spring will bring Discover Banking day with Peoples Bank.
Keep an eye out for more information about our 2023-2024 Discover Day Series and partnership events. For more information, email our Community & Career Connected Learning Coordinator, Kristi Leonard-Webber, at klwebber@bb2careers.org.