'Meet the Firms Night': Future accountants seize networking opportunity

Time and again, good networking has proven valuable in making connections for career opportunities. On Monday, Heidelberg’s School of Business faculty organized and hosted the first “Meet the Firms Night” career night to connect accounting students with potential employers. In attendance were 30 recruiters representing 15 companies – including 10 international, national, regional and local CPA firms.

More than 70 ‘Berg students attended and learned about internship and career opportunities with the companies during the two-hour networking event. Tiffin University faculty and students also attended as part of a new partnership between each school’s Accounting Department. Heidelberg’s Student Advisory Board members served as greeters for the event.

“The Accounting Department was very excited to bring this event to our students,” said Scott Miller, Assistant Professor of Accounting. “It’s been a priority of ours to provide career opportunities for students since (Associate Professor of Accounting and Interim Dean) Doug Woods and I arrived on campus last year.”

Heidelberg students took advantage of the opportunity and they found the event extremely worthwhile.

“I thought the event was very informative,” said senior accounting major Sam Scheele. “It taught me what future employers value and also what I would value in an employer. It also gave me experience in a professional setting working with recruiters. Overall, I thought the night was extremely valuable and I can’t wait for next year’s event.”

By all accounts, the students and the company reps were equally eager to network with each other.

“I had a great time at the event,” said sophomore accounting major Reese Recker. “It was exciting to meet the different accounting firms and everyone talked to me with great enthusiasm!”

The Heidelberg faculty were proud of the students’ interactions with the accounting firms, and believe they more than held their own during those conversations.

“Our students were very prepared, professional and well-received by the various firms,” Doug said, giving a nod to ‘Berg Career Specialist Carole Thomas, who did a great job working with the students on their resumés.

Scott and Doug, the organizers of “Meet the Firms Night,” were appreciative especially of the passionate Heidelberg young alumni who returned to their alma mater to participate in the event. That’s what made it a huge success, they believe. Students noticed their passion too. 

“Our students showed up in large numbers and were highly engaged with the recruiters,” Scott said.

Many thanks to the following alumni for sharing career opportunities with our students:

• Cameron Charbonneau ’18 – U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General
• Tyler Harp ’18 – Deloitte
• Natalie Arnold ’19 – Plante Moran
• Hunter Rinard ’19 – Plante Moran
• Wes Fritz ’19 – EY
• Allison Sumser ’19 – EY
• Kelsey Grove ’20, ’22 – EY
• Dreona Hughes ’22 – Deloitte

Other participating companies included: Pease Bell CPAs, FORVIS, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD, Barnes Wendling CPAs, Mizick Miller & Company Inc., Fruth & Company, PLL, CPAs, Julian & Grube Inc, Arnold Machine, Sutton Bank, Ohio Auditor of State and Becker CPA Review.