Meet the Professionals connects accounting students with industry leaders

The Philip L. Kintzele School of Accounting brought energy, insight, and plenty of pizza to its annual Meet the Professionals event, an evening designed to help students see where an accounting degree can take them.

Held in Grawn Hall, the event connected students with professionals across public, corporate, and governmental accounting, creating space for honest conversations about career paths, certifications, and the realities of the profession.

“Our goal is to highlight the diverse career opportunities available within the accounting profession,” said Lori Olsen, chairperson of the Philip L. Kintzele School of Accounting. “We invite professionals serving in various roles within the profession to share their insights and experiences. Inviting accounting professionals with diverse backgrounds allows students to hear first-hand about the many career opportunities available in accounting.”

Inside the experience: Conversations that drive clarity

The structure of the night was designed to keep students moving, asking questions, and learning from multiple perspectives.

“The event has three distinct phases,” Olsen said.

Students began in the Atrium, where they gathered in small groups, shared pizza, and heard from Terry Pordon ‘91, retired from Stellantis, who spoke about how accounting plays a role in nearly every facet of an organization, and even in daily life.

Then came the heart of the evening.

Students rotated through small-group conversations with professionals representing different career paths and organizations. Each professional spent about 12 minutes with a group before rotating, creating space for direct, student-driven dialogue about certifications, internships, and career trajectories.

Conversation prompts were available, Olsen said, “However, discussions are generally driven by student questions about the professionals’ careers.”

The event concluded in Grawn 100 with a presentation on forensic accounting from faculty member Thomas Weirich, and a brief post-event survey.

“It is fast-moving and engaging,” Olsen said.

Curiosity counts

For accounting major Rudy Ramirez, a senior accounting major from Ovid, Mich., the event reinforced the importance of staying proactive and engaged.

“Meet the Professionals was a very rewarding experience for me. I had the opportunity to speak with students who were genuinely curious about my experiences and motivated to take ownership of their next steps in the business world. Seeing that level of curiosity and drive was encouraging, because I strongly believe that staying curious, seeking guidance, and being proactive are some of the most powerful ways students can grow both professionally and personally.”

Olsen encourages students to approach the evening with that same mindset.

“We hope that the students take this opportunity to ask as many questions as possible to learn more about what opportunities are available in accounting,” she said.

What employers look for

Representatives from firms across the region attended, including Sam Kostrzewa, advisory and tax manager at Rehmann, who said the goal is to connect early with students who are still exploring their options.

“We're here to talk to undecided students or students early on in their college career about a career in accounting. what that entails, the opportunities, the different paths that you can go down, and just bring awareness to their career and get people introduced and interested in applying.”

When asked what stands out most in candidates, Kostrzewa kept it simple.

“Willingness to learn, not being afraid to ask questions or be open to new opportunities. I'd say that's number one in our book is somebody willing to learn and ask questions.”

His advice for students preparing for interviews?

“Going through the interview process, ask questions. An interviewer will always ask you at the end of an interview whether you have any questions. So do a little research before going in, look at their website, see if anything stands out as interesting to you, something you want to ask more about, whether you want to ask about the company culture, opportunities within the firm, or the company. You show a genuine interest in wanting to be there.”

Preparing graduates for what’s next

Events like Meet the Professionals reflect the College of Business Administration’s commitment to applied learning and career readiness, connecting classroom concepts with real-world insight.

By bringing professionals into direct conversation with students, the School of Accounting creates more than a networking opportunity. It creates clarity, confidence, and connection.

As students left Grawn Hall, they carried more than business cards. They left with direction and a clearer understanding of how their accounting education can translate into meaningful careers.