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Westminster College Senior Accounting Majors Advise Area High School Students

Posted on Monday, January 13, 2014

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College senior accounting majors served on an Accounting Career Day panel in November to educate 180 area high school students on opportunities available in the accounting field. In addition to the panel, the program also featured guest speakers working in the accounting field. The event was a collaboration between the Westminster Department of Economics and Business and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

"Most high school students have some understanding of what teachers, doctors, lawyers, or even scientists do, but have no knowledge of the many career paths accountants can pursue," said Jesse R. Ligo Jr., Westminster professor of accounting.  "The PICPA Accounting Career Day provided high school students with information about careers and opportunities in the field of accounting. 

Ligo continued, "Through involvement as hosts and panel members, Westminster senior accounting majors were able to practice their presentation, communication, and networking skills, furthering their professional development and highlighting Westminster's role in preparing them for exciting careers."

The PICPA mission is to advance professional competence as well as be an advocate for its CPA members. It also provides students with resources for the CPA exam, scholarships for students, classroom resources for instructors and professional speakers. The PICPA Student Ambassador Program was created to promote these services. The student ambassador is expected to organize a membership drive each semester, promote PICPA scholarships, host a guest speaker on campus, and more.

Westminster's PICPA Student Ambassador Steve Crowe said, "The event benefited the high school students by giving them exposure to what accounting is and what the profession can do for them. It also gives us students a sense of giving back to the community, that we are shaping potential accounting students, and that we are able to make an impact on someone else's education."

Crowe is a son of John and Bev Crowe of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Upper St. Clair High School.

Area high schools that participated include Shenango, Neshannock, West Middlesex, Johnsonburg, Laurel, Mohawk, Conneaut Area, and Grove City.

Contact Ligo at 724-946-7167 or email for additional information. 

Westminster College students at the Accounting Career Day: (l-r) Sean Figore, Stephen Crowe, Jacob Brown, Corey Pelkofer, Alyssa Natale, Alijah Buckham, LaShawnda Gilbert, and Anthony Hamorsky
Westminster College student Steve Crowe