Summer means camp to many young people. Instead of horseback riding, crafts or swimming, 21 high school students from the area recently got to participate in a very different kind of day camp: the Accounting Careers and Money Program (A.C.A.M.P.), held at Florida International University (FIU) July 8-9, 2009.
The two-day event, offered in conjunction with the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA), drew students recommended by their teachers, school counselors or a FICPA member. They got insights into the life of a college accounting student; learned job search-related skills; and even played at being traders thanks to student interns in the College of Business Administration’s Capital Markets Lab.
Not only the students but also the School of Accounting—and the entire profession—benefit from the program.
“We want the brightest students to come into the career and to recognize what FIU has to offer . . . and we want that to occur as early as possible in a student’s life,” said Tessie Brunken (EMST ’86, BBA ’81), assistant director of student services, School of Accounting, who planned and executed ACAMP.
Beta Alpha Psi members make major contributions.
Eight students from Beta Alpha Psi worked with Brunken on presentations and activities, with their presence also putting the younger students at ease.
Current secretary Laura Sotomayor helped participants understand the techniques of job interviewing by doing it badly.
“We took questions we’ve been asked in mock interviews and presented a skit, showing everything from shaking hands, to being attentive to posture,” she said. “After so many times doing it the right way, it was a blast to do it wrong.”
Following the wrong way, other Beta members presented the right way, while Albert Tamayo, Beta president, explained each step and action.
Although he had not had a similar experience in high school, he described it as “priceless—as a first look at college, and a way to learn about finance.”
