shadow program

IMA members want university students to understand that an accounting career in the private sector is rewarding.  One way to allow students to see this is to let the students observe first-hand the activities and challenges of a financial professional in business.  University textbooks and classroom activities cannot well explain the responsibilities and complexities involved in the everyday tasks of our profession, so the purpose of the shadow program is to augment education by providing a real illustration of how some of the classroom learning is used in real life business applications.

Benefits to the Accounting Professional are many.  IMA members will provide students with greatly needed “real-world” views of what they are learning in the class, even, perhaps, providing alternative views to the classroom experience.  Members will have a chance to influence career paths and meet students who have expressed an interest in a private sector career path aligned with their particular area of expertise. 

Give the Gift of Job Shadowing:  A great Opportunity for Students

How the program works:

IMA Members volunteer to “Host” a student for a ½ Day at their office to “Shadow” the professional for a typical work day.  The IMA board will match students and host companies based areas of interest and availabilities of the students and Member hosts. 

The breadth of the work is wholly up to the discretion of the IMA member, but may include observation of analytical procedures, interaction with colleagues, testing of operation controls, strategic planning, etc.  Remember the goal here is to provide an informal day in the life of a typical accounting professional.

If you are a Student or IMA Member interested in participating in this very worthwhile program please contact Sharon Kelly, sharon.kelly@hawcpa.com  to register.