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"Huntington
University’s Career Development Office staff,
particularly Martha Smith, and the Enterprise Resource
Center were very helpful when it came time to prepare
for interviews and send out my résumé." |
For Huntington
University students Stephanie Stearns and Nicole Blue, an
afternoon at a career fair was time well spent.
“Stephanie and Nicole first
approached BKD at a fall 2007 career fair,” said Wallace
Wetherill, CPA, and partner at BKD, one of the 10 largest CPA
and advisory firms in the United States. “It was very impressive
that they took the initiative to come to another school because
they knew we were going to be there, and they wanted to
introduce themselves to BKD. They were very professional,
friendly and polished and made a great first impression.”
This first
impression paid off, and both Stearns and Blue were invited to
BKD in the fall for interviews. Both were then invited back for
a group interview and then an individual interview with three
different partners separately.
“Both of them
were again very professional and knew their direction for their
careers,” said Wetherill. “They displayed a knowledge of the
profession, where they would fit in and a desire to work for BKD.
Some of the words used to describe them were: ‘excellent
candidate, driven, articulate, good questions, professional,
outstanding.’”
Both Stearns and Blue were offered
positions at the Fort Wayne office of BKD following their
graduation in May 2008 with Bachelor of Science degrees in
accounting. Blue chose to pursue a position closer to her
hometown. Stearns accepted the position and started at the
beginning of tax season as a staff level tax accountant. As
such, Stearns compiles company financial information and from
there, builds tax returns.
“It was intense
and a great deal of hours right away, but I am really glad I
started when I did,” said Stearns. “You kind of just get thrown
into the job without much training. At first, you don't feel
like you know anything, but you learn so much information
very quickly because you have to.”
Stearns has
enjoyed her experience so far and looks forward to her future at
BKD. Not only is she learning a great deal about her chosen
profession, but for Stearns, the atmosphere is ideal.
“My coworkers
are great,” said Stearns. “Everyone is really kind and helpful
because they can still remember what it was like to be new. The
office has a pretty laid back, fun-spirited atmosphere which I
have really enjoyed.”
Not only does
Stearns enjoy her work at BKD, but her coworkers appreciate her
as well.
“She (Stearns)
has been a great addition to our tax staff,” said Wetherill,
“and made it through her first busy season flawlessly.”
But looking
back, Stearns understands that one of the key stepping stones to
getting to BKD was using the resources available to her.
“Huntington
University’s Career Development Office staff, particularly
Martha Smith, and the Enterprise Resource Center were very
helpful when it came time to prepare for interviews and send out
my résumé,” said Stearns. “You don’t think much about those
places before your senior year because a job is still too far
away, but they were really helpful when it came time to job
search.”
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