Students Working with the GCMC: Path to PwC

-

 

This week, we sat down with James Chan (MS IS ’22) to learn more about his experience with recruiting this semester, having landed multiple offers. James shares bits of advice, including a unique way to prepare for interviews.
Hi James! Thanks so much for chatting with us. Why don’t you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

 

Sure thing. Happy to chat. I am a second semester graduate student in the MS IS program. I graduated from Baruch with an undergraduate in Accountancy, but I came back to complete my CPA 150 credits and get another shot at recruitment. I took advantage of this opportunity, and I have accepted an offer as a PwC associate in 2022.

 

Congratulations on securing multiple offers this fall, and on accepting PwC! What do you think helped you stand out in the application processes?

 

Honestly, I think my work experience is what made me stand out. I worked in retail, real estate, and corporate accounting before breaking into public accounting. Even during public accounting, I worked my way up from a regional firm to a national firm. Every one of my jobs was in a different role, but I learned different skill sets and how to be a better professional throughout each of these jobs. I believe these experiences gave me the confidence and competence to answer any question during my interviews.

 

Makes sense, and so happy to hear it. Speaking of interviews, how did interviews go overall? Anything you wish you’d known going into them all?

 

My interviews went very well. I believe this was because I tried to set the energy of the room.  I cannot sing, but every time before an interview, I would sing two Karaoke songs. These two songs used up my nervous energy and hyped me up. During the interview, I just tried to have a conversation with my interviewer, and it flowed naturally. Of course, I did my research and preparation beforehand. It is cliché but I would advise to just be yourself.

 

Karaoke songs! That’s such a good idea. Glad to hear they went well overall. Any last bits of advice for students and/or recent grads who might be starting out their own job search?

 

My advice to students or recent graduates is to go at your own pace. During my junior year, I could not even get a public accounting job, but I took every opportunity that came my way. I believe we each have our paths, and we all progress at our own pace. Sometimes we get where we want to quicker, and sometimes it is more roundabout. As long as you are deliberately working towards your goal, you will get where you want to be.

 

For more practical, actionable advice, I would recommend joining a student organization. Going through the recruiting process on your own can be tough. I would say to find an organization where your peers can show you the steps they took to get their dream career. The best thing about Baruch is our network. Make sure to take full advantage of it. You never know where these relationships will take you.

 

++++

 

For assistance with your own job/internship search, we welcome you to:

Comments

John Williams said…
Nice article, Thanks for sharing, check out my work on real estate social network.
December 14, 2022 at 12:18 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zicklin Graduate Student Shares Her Thoughts on ESG After Winning CohnReznick’s 2023 Gamechanger in ESG Awards

-
Image
Komal Khandelwal recently graduated from the Zicklin School of Business with a master's in finance . She was also an intern for Asp en Power, a solar energy company.   In early 2023, Komal Khandelwal received an email from the school about a program called CohnReznick’s Gamechanger in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Awards which, as stated on the program’s website, “recognizes U.S.-based organizations that are embracing environmental, social, and governance principles to drive value for their stakeholders and improve business resiliency.” The winners of the 2023 awards incl ude for-profit companies like Anterix and EDP Renewables North America, as well as non-profit companies like Eden Housing and Rethink Food.    The program also grants the NextGen Award to only one student who demonstrates a zeal for ESG and who plans to pursue a career in the field. The 2023 winner of this award was none other than our very own Zicklin Graduate student, Komal . In addi...
Read more

Student Perspectives: Crossing the Bridge That May Land You a Job

-
Image
  MS Finance ‘24 student, Taweepan Panyasantisuk, shared with the GCMC how being enthusiastic, networking, and making self-improvements led to and enhanced his internship experience. What has been one of the most important things you’ve learned at your internship? One of the most important things I have learned at my internship is to be enthusiastic. It is invaluable, especially when you are an intern. I discovered that I could learn fast and enjoy learning when I am enthusiastic and open to learning new skills, ask for more work, and ask questions. This attitude shows that you enjoy being part of the team and that you are keen to help. Having curiosity and enthusiasm also means that you get a lot out of what you are doing, which opens a lot of opportunities. How have you approached networking at your internship? Share any one specific example that has been impactful for you. Since my undergraduate years at Baruch, I learned the importance of networking. Attending many networking ...
Read more

Student Perspectives: Making the Most of a Summer Internship

-
MS Finance, Economics, and Financial Statement Analysis ‘24 student, Mrudula Satish Wagle, shared with the GCMC how she made the most of her summer internship, leading to a full time offer and a decision to pursue further education in finance. Agility is one of the most important things I have learned at my job. Adapting quickly and effectively to changing circumstances has been crucial in meeting the demands of a fast-paced work environment. This skill has allowed me to remain flexible and proactive in finding solutions, ultimately enhancing productivity and achieving optimal outcomes. Additionally, agility has enabled me to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and successfully navigate through various assignments. Networking at work is crucial for individual growth and career advancement. As a Summer Intern, I had the opportunity to build relationships with my colleagues, who were friendly and supportive. Constant interactions with them allowed me to understand various roles an...
Read more

Best Practices: Writing a Resume

-
Image
Your Resume: A Quick 2 min. Guide Our GCMC advisor Annie Himmelsbach walks you through how to write a well-crafted resume by discussing how to divide your sections, how to self-evaluate your goals and what to include (and exclude!) in each section. Note: Both active Zicklin Graduate students, and Zicklin Alumni are always welcome (lifetime courtesy!) to schedule an appointment at GCMC when they need assistance in writing, or to review and discuss further improvement on their resume (or career development). Call us at +1 646 312 1330 For more information on the GCMC visit: http://zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu/careers/
Read more

Student Perspectives: Being a Power Business Intelligence Engineer

-
MS Information Systems, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance '23 student Palak Wadel shared with the GCMC about her work as a Power BI Engineer at Wolfspeed, a semiconductor manufacturing company. What has been one of the most important things you've learned at your internship? One of the key lessons from my Wolfspeed internship is the vital importance of seamless data integration, particularly between SAP and Snowflake, and staying at the forefront of cybersecurity. My role in developing reports emphasized the practicality of integrating data sources for real-time decision- making. Additionally, engagement with the daily threat intelligence team exposed me to state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools like Sentinel and Defender, underscoring the significance of merging theoretical knowledge with practical cybersecurity applications. This experience has reinforced the need for a holistic approach to business intelligence and data security in today's digital landscape. How hav...
Read more