Accounting majors meet employers virtually

Annual career fair matches students and recruiters

by Dwight Bachman

Willimantic, CT (10/26/2020) — Accounting majors at Eastern Connecticut State University are continuing to find a robust job market for their skills despite the economic impact of COVID-19. Their career aspirations are greatly aided by the faculty in the Accounting program, who conduct their own job fair for students.

The department's 16th Annual Accounting Career Fair on Oct. 7 was a virtual event, with more than 30 accounting majors on hand to speak with 16 of the nation's top public accounting firms, corporations and other employers. In addition to full-time job opportunities, employers also discussed internship opportunities at their companies.

Accounting Professor Mohd RuJoub said he "felt like an air traffic controller helping students land a job," as he sat in the main Career Fair room to greet and shuttle students in and out of whichever employers' virtual breakout rooms they wished to visit. "These accounting firms have confidence in our accounting program and students," said RuJoub.

After they were done interviewing with a company, students left that company's breakout room and rejoined RuJoub in the main room, where he would move them into the next breakout room they were interested in visiting. This prevented students from accidentally jumping into employer's breakout rooms while the employer was interviewing other students.

Students saw at least a dozen interviewers each and asked lots of questions. RuJoub said 80 percent of the recruiters were Eastern alumni. Josi Aponte '16, staff accountant at South Windsor, CT-based Walston & Ignagni P.C., did not actively participate in the interview process, but did take the opportunity to showcase Eastern students with her employer.

"When I was a student at Eastern, I remember attending the fair and getting excited by all the activity - multiple employers, crowds of students and everyone trying to have their say," said Aponte. "Professor RuJoub worked very well in navigating students to employers, being a great host, and at the same time, monitoring individual and common room meetings so that no one was left idle. Obviously, this is a day and night difference from previous years, but there was no doubt that the room was full of opportunities."

Ashley Palozie '20 was hired two hours after her interview. "I got hired by CohnReznick, a top six accounting firm. I start Jan. 6, 2021. I am happy with this fair because it helps connect those in the accounting field with potential employers. It has helped so many of my classmates find new opportunities in the field."

Bree O'Connor '18, of Rocky Hill, is glad she took advantage of the virtual fair. "Today was extremely meaningful to me, as it was the first big interaction and conversations with firms I would like to intern for. Even though online video was challenging, all the firms that attended made the experience no different than if we were in person. I made some great connections to build off of for my future and am thankful this event still occurred with people willing to take part."

RuJoub, who has helped more than 1,000 Eastern students land good positions in accounting, was overjoyed. "I had a blast today. I have cultivated friendships and relationships with our alumni over the years, and to see them come back and keep recruiting new students is overwhelming."

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