Meet the Firms Connects Students with Accounting Giants

Meet the Firms is an annual event hosted by the AIS Department, which links undergraduate and graduate accounting students with local, regional and national firms for internship and employment opportunities.

“Networking remains one of the single most effective ways to secure an internship or job,” said Sarah Robertson, Assistant Professor of Practice in the Accounting and Information Systems Department at UTEP. “I have often been told that if someone can put a specific name and face with a resume, they tend to remember the student’s qualities — which often results with those resumes moving to the top and leading to an interview.”

Robertson notes that networking with firms and individuals creates a sense of familiarity between the two, opening channels of communication for future opportunities.

She strongly suggests that students do their own research on these firms as well.

Students are encouraged to research intern testimonials and review different job opportunities posted with the firm to get a sense of its structure and corporate culture. In-person networking allows students to directly hear what it's like to work in a particular firm. “Networking and research help a student determine if a particular firm and its culture are a right fit for them,” she said.

For Beverly Longoria — Texas Society of Certified Public Accounts, El Paso Chapter Executive Director — Meet the Firms is a chance to connect with and provide resources to the next generation of accounting professionals.

"This is a golden opportunity for students to connect directly with these groups and ask questions, make their names known,” she said. “It also showcases the different opportunities here locally, so students know they do not have to leave El Paso to find great experience and gainful employment in their industry.”

Master of Accountancy (MAcc) student Federico Andrade came to Meet the Firms to connect with multiple firms in a single day. After connecting with representatives from Lauterbach & Borschow, Andrade was offered an internship with the firm.

"Meet the Firms provided the opportunity for me to speak with multiple local accounting firms at once," Andrade said. "Everyone was personable and easy to talk to. Definitely a great way to get your foot in the door for a potential internship."

Upon completion of his program, Andrade hopes to have a full time offer from a public accounting firm while he prepares to sit for the CPA Exam.