The EY Center for Careers facilitates a one-day Recruiting Boot Camp for MPAcc students that will take place at the beginning of the program. This dedicated program is designed for MPAcc students to learn about the accounting profession and the recruiting process from professionals. Representatives from public accounting, corporate and government present on a variety of topics to help students prepare for the fall recruiting season, and allow them the opportunity to network with them directly during the program.
Students meet with the Director of the EY Center one-on-one to help them identify their goals and interests to ultimately select and pursue a career path in audit, tax, advisory, general accounting, or other, and research the type of firm/company (public accounting, consulting, private industry, government, non-profit) they would like to target. The Director is available to work with students along every step of their career trajectory from initial self-assessment through the job search process and beyond. He helps students prepare a professional and targeted resume and cover letter, create and execute a strategy for networking and job search, prepare effectively for interviews, handle offer negotiations, and plan for success in an internship and full-time position.
The EY Center coordinates the on-campus recruiting process with more than 25 public accounting firms (including Big 4, mid-tier and large local), corporations and government entities. The EY Center works closely with our business partners to provide interview space and ensure a smooth interview process for firms and students. The on-campus recruiting process is preceded by a series of workshops for Resumes, Cover Letters and Effective Interviewing that will help students get ready. The EY Center also facilitates specialized workshops in LinkedIn, Networking, Career Planning and other career and job search related topics.
You can supplement your career exploration, networking and job search by joining and participating in one or more of our student organizations: Accounting Association, Beta Alpha Psi, Association of Latino Professionals for America, and Management Information Systems Association. These student organizations provide a variety of professional learning and social programs including weekly technical meetings, resume and mock interview workshops, networking activities, social activities, firm tours, and alumni and student panels that will help MPAcc students to advance their long-term career discovery in a supportive, stimulating, and fun environment with other Masters and Bachelors level students. Utilizing our vast network of alumni, the student organizations engage many CSUN alumni to participate in these meetings and events as a way of staying connected to CSUN and the accounting and IS programs that provide learning and mentorship to current students. Participation increases knowledge of the accounting profession, and provides excellent exposure to various firms and numerous opportunities to develop professional relationships with firm representatives, many of whom are CSUN alumni. In addition to the services provided by the EY Center, student organization leaders and alumni provide mentorship to other students for resume preparation, mock interviews, job search, networking and CPA exam prep strategies.
Once matriculated, you will have access to SUNlink which connects you to our university's Career Hub where you can access a wealth of information as well as job postings from firms specifically looking for MPAcc graduates. Students can apply directly for job opportunities and schedule interviews conveniently using the online platform. Furthermore, students have unlimited access to Lynda.com at CSUN, which is an online learning platform that helps anyone learn and access engaging, top quality courses taught by recognized industry experts in the areas of business, software, and technology.
Throughout the year, the EY Center for Careers in conjunction with the Accounting and Information Systems Department and the student organizations plan and coordinate major networking events geared for joining a Big Four, national, regional, or small CPA firm, as well as government, private industry, or not-for-profit organization. The events offered each year include:
- Meet the Firms: Twice per year (September and February) coinciding with the fall and spring recruiting seasons, CSUN offers one of the largest Meet the Firms events in Southern California, where more than 65 firms and organizations from across the region gather at an upscale venue to meet and network with our students. 400 - 600 accounting and IS students attend Meet the Firms to forge connections with the firms.
- Annual Awards Banquet: Each spring, students in the MPAcc Program are invited to the Accounting and Information Systems Department Awards Banquet where firms provide financial recognition for our students with more than $150,000 in scholarship awards. This elegant event provides another unique opportunity for firms and students to mingle and connect.
- The EY Center provides firm "Office Hours" during the month preceding online applications and on-campus interviewing - more than a dozen firms participate by bringing recruiters and other firm professionals to meet with students one-on-one in an informal basis to discuss their firms and learn about the students.
- The Accounting and Information Systems Alumni Chapter, in partnership with the student organizations, hosts periodic alumni networking events to provide additional opportunities for student leaders and alumni to network.
