On September 9, accountancy alums met with faculty to provide feedback and brainstorm ways to improve the accounting curriculum. They also shared what they found helpful as they entered the workplace in the past few years. The pedagogy event was held with the participation of Ellen Yezierski and Gregg Wentzell from the Center for Teaching Excellence.
The alums described their diverse jobs and work experiences, what they hope their next positions will be, why they chose accounting as a major; two things they gained during their time at Miami that have been beneficial to their careers; and two things they wish they would have gained.
They provided helpful insights and ideas to better sell the versatility of an accounting major and the breadth of career options to prospective high school students and undecided majors. Other ideas were generated for imparting accounting knowledge in contexts that require the development of so-called “soft skills” like critical thinking, communication, and leadership.
The experience was a good networking opportunity for the grads as well. They expressed appreciation for being able to come back to campus and stay at the Marcum Inn, as well as share an evening meal at Gaslight Brewhouse.
It is always amazing to return back to Oxford as it is such a special place to my whole family. Both my brothers and I graduated from there and all the memories came flooding back. It reinforced what I already I knew about Miami University (Ohio). They put their students first 100% of the time. The professors were asking meaningful questions and were eager to hear how they could improve. We need more of this in education across the country!
Sara Guglielmo ’18, via LinkedIn
We thank the following alumni who attended the event:
Matthew Babyak ’18, Senior Auditor, Financial Risk Review Group, KeyBank
Carrie Castellano Gulick ’18, Audit Senior, Deloitte
Gino Fantozzi ’18, Grants and Contracts Specialist, University Hospitals
Sara Guglielmo ’18, Quantitative Analytics Associate, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Patrick Gulick ’18, Assurance Manager, PwC
Cassidy Hicks ’20, Senior Analyst, Kirsch CPA Group
Lauren Jutte Wuebker ’16, Materials Analyst, Emerson
BriAuna Keys ’20, Digital Assurance & Transparency Senior Associate, PwC
Morgan Staten ’18, Accounting Specialist – Global Financial Accounting, Eaton Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
Bo Zhao ’15, Compliance Manager – North America, Bosch
Also present were faculty members Brian Ballou, Billy Brink, Qing Burke, Po-Chang Chen, Jan Eighme, Annie Farrell, Michele Frank, Jon Grenier, Dan Heitger, Bill Moser, Jon Pyzoha, Sydney Shu, Dale Stoel, and James Zhang.
Many thanks to Debbie Gentry for her help in organizing the event and coordinating all the details!