SCACPA Mentoring Program: Inspire Future CPAs

Your interest can bring a student one step closer toward a career as a CPA. The SCACPA Accounting Careers and Academic Relations Task Force invites you to make a difference in the life and the career of the next generation of accounting professionals and sign up to be a mentor for the 2009-2010 academic year.

What is SCAPCA’s SCACPA’s Mentoring Program?

We ask for at least a one-year time commitment to the mentor relationship. We try to pair students with an accounting professional in their geographic area, allowing for in-person meetings when possible.

Who will I mentor?

SCACPA receives inquiries from South Carolina high school and college students seeking mentors and job shadowing experiences.

When do I start and how long will the program last?

The program runs during the academic calendar year, August 2009 through July 2010 (or beyond, if you so choose). We ask for a time investment of one hour per month with your student, including in-person meetings, emails, online chatting/instant messaging and phone calls.

Where do I learn more about mentoring?

SCACPA will send you a Mentor Program Guidebook to help you get started, including a list of discussion topics and evaluation forms. Basic information and a tutorial is are also available at http://www.mentor.org/.

How can I make a difference?

At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them and their career. Students aren’t alone in dealing with their day-to-day worries. Think back. Did you know how to study for the GMAT or CPA exam or make plans for MAcc or MBA studies? Do you remember wanting your first car or looking for a part-time job? Simple things that seem easy or straightforward to you now may appear to be a complete mystery to a young person. Mentors provide their mentees with an experienced friend who is always ready to help in any number of different situations.

• Mentors help young people set career goals and start taking steps to realize them. 
• Mentors can use their personal contacts to help young people meet industry professionals, find internships and locate job possibilities. 
• Mentors introduce young people to professional resources and organizations they may not know about. 
• Mentors can help their mentees learn how to seek and keep jobs.

Ready to be a mentor or learn more?

Contact membership@scacpa.org for a copy of SCACPA’s Mentor Program Guidebook and to get started today. SCACPA will recognize all mentors upon completion of the program in The CPA Report.