ERSC 2017 Booklet_FINAL

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLETBefore coming to Baruch, I didn’t feel like it was where I was meant to be. I thought I would be oneof those students who would just go to class and then go home. But during my SEEK summeracademy program, I heard about NABA and from there began my incredible journey with all thegreat friends, almost like family, that I have made. I’ve found a place that feels like a home awayfrom home; a place that has enabled me to grow as a person and as a leader. I am not the sameperson I was before coming to Baruch. I joined NABA my freshman year because I was inspired byone of the board members. His name is Pablo Duran. He devotes so much time to the club andalthough he has a lot on his plate, he always finds the time to help somebody else. He inspired meto want to be a part of something bigger and help others be the best version of themselves.On October 5th-8th, students from Baruch College and other colleges from the Eastern Regionhad the opportunity to attend the NABA’s 2017 Eastern Regional Student Conference in Norfolk,Virginia. My experience at the conference was truly unforgettable. There wasn’t a single elementof the conference that was not amazing. Not only was the setting of the conference beautiful,but the sessions were all extremely touching and helpful. Even more importantly, the atmospherereally changed and molded me into a better professional and career focused individual.Surrounding yourself with so many professionals who want to help you is important, and Ibelieve that NABA provides this to their students more than any other organization I haveever had the privilege of being associated with.“Stay ready so you never have to get ready”-- a simple phrase, but it changed my mindset. I wentto a session at the conference titled “Slay with your GPA” and the speaker was Candace Greenfrom KPMG. After she stated the aforementioned phrase, I started thinking about it and realizedthat the phrase is so meaningful and can really help me in every aspect of life. These wordsresonated with me because throughout the conference this notion was enforced on manyoccasions. I personally experienced it because I didn’t know I would have an interview with PwCafter only a conversation with a professional at the career fair.Going to the Eastern Regional NABA conference was truly a blessing. It has increased my industryknowledge through its many seminars. The information that was provided had a wide range oftopics that will be useful in my personal, professional, and academic life. I’m very grateful to havehad the opportunity of being in attendance. I’m also very grateful for the e-board members thatsupported me throughout the entire conference and helped me develop my leadership skills.Being at the 2017 NABA Eastern Regional Student Conference was an impactful experience that Iwill never forget, and thank you for those that made attending this conference feasible.Freud V. Hyacinthe

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET Attending the Eastern Regional Student Conference has been the most productive thing I’ve done since I began college. Prior to the conference, I expected nothing more than a mere learning experience. I didn’t think I was going to achieve much because not only was it my first time at ERC, it was also my first semester as a freshman. I’d never been exposed to this kind of professional atmosphere, and I didn’t even own a suit. One of the main reasons that prompted me to join NABA and attend this conference were the members of the executive board. I’d never met such a genuine and helpful group of people until I came across the NABA Baruch executive board members. The most beautiful thing about the executive board is that there isn’t just one person who portrays these admirable qualities, every one of them does. One person might start helping me with my resume, and the other will pick up right where they left off. They helped prepare everyone attending the conference and provided the right tools we needed in order to be successful. They didn’t just help with tangible things like resumes, but they were also there for emotional support. I knew that I would be fine with these set of people by my side. I’m searching for a word to describe the whole NABA organization as a whole however, there is no single word that will do my description justice. I’ll just simply describe how I felt at the conference. I felt empowered. I was in the midst of successful black professionals and students. Success was written all over us. We were securing the bag, shaping our futures and our society’s future. We were breaking barriers. I remember sitting in the opening session thinking to myself, “well why isn’t this picture of us the front page of the New York Times?” It was powerful and breathtaking. There were so many opportunities. There were learning opportunities, networking opportunities, internship and job opportunities. I was able to step out of my comfort zone and put myself out there during the Career Fair. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to interview with Deloitte for a leadership program. I was able to expand my network and I may have met a possible mentor. I remember a professional being so impressed with me he said, “You’ll be with Deloitte this year, but next year you’re with us.” I also executed my leadership abilities during the conference and I am immensely proud of myself for this. Finally, I took away one last thing from the conference. I took away the motto “Lifting as we climb.” I am proud to say that, this is now a motto that I will continue to live by. If it wasn’t for NABA abiding by this motto, I would’ve never had a chance to experience this wonderful opportunity. NABA Inc. provided me with free registration for next year’s conference, and I hope to help others who will be interested to get prepared. I hope to be a great support like those before me to those coming after me.Fathia Ladejobi

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET Being selected to attend and represent the NABA Baruch Chapter at this year’s Eastern Region Student Conference has truly been an honor. I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am to every person that contributed to making the ERSC the remarkable experience that it was. Thank you for all the time and hard work that you put into supporting our chapter and investing in the youth by granting us with such astonishing opportunities. Being a freshman commencing on my college journey, I initially felt very lost and confused in managing college life and handling my new-found workload. This instantly changed when I encountered the highly dedicated and hardworking members of NABA Baruch who rapidly showed me how to prioritize my grades and encouraged me to apply for the ERSC. Never could I have foreseen just how heavily this conference would contribute to my evolution as a young professional. At the conference, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend workshops led by corporate experts with the focus on developing my professional skills. From mock interviews and Microsoft excel sessions, to workshops addressing career paths and time management. I exited every session with newly acquired knowledge that will forever be cherished and applied in my life. I not only had the privilege of observing how these professionals conduct themselves but also had the opportunity to network and get to know them. I was honored to speak with individuals from firms like KPMG and Baker Tilly and was even able to get an interview for positions at Deloitte and also apply to a finance summit at Capital One. All opportunities, which to me, had previously been unimaginable as a freshman. In addition to the knowledge and opportunities I’ve gained, the Eastern Regional Student Conference provided me with the opportunity to create bonds with people I can truly say are now a family to me. People who represent and exemplify every aspect of the motto “Lifting As We Climb”. My selfless NABA peers who were willing to be up at 3AM for the sole purpose of helping me to prepare for the career fair in the morning. Who regardless of their own responsibilities always found the time to answer every question I presented or review an email before I sent it out. Who were there when the stress got to me leading to panic attacks in which they encouraged and comforted me until my confidence and smile returned. The relationships, experiences, and memories I’ve created at the ERSC will forever be treasured and I can’t wait for the opportunity to return as a more matured individual. Once more, thank you for all that you have done in making this event the wonderful experience that it was.Mayer Estinville



NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET Attending the 42nd NABA Eastern Regional Student Conference was a monumental experience for me that has shaped my mentality towards the organization of NABA. On the bus ride back to New York, I contemplated how I could make my experience at next year's Eastern Regional Student Conference even more impactful, because I knew I want to be a part of this legacy of excellence and build on the tradition. Particularly, this conference was unique in that, it was the first professional student conference I had ever attended where most of the attendees were ethnic minorities. I am grateful to have had the privilege of attending this conference, especially as a freshman. I had the opportunity to interview with three of the big four accounting firms. My first being with Deloitte, for the role of an Audit Intern for next summer. To my surprise, my interviewer graduated from Baruch and was also an Accounting major. We discussed his transition from student to professional, and his experience at the Deloitte firm. Soon after, I was introduced, by Ms. Betty Duverger, to a KPMG recruiter. After an approximate five minute discussion, he decided to sign me up for an internship interview within the next two hours. I then proceeded to my EY interview. My interviewer ended up being an Ernst &Young partner who spoke at the pre-conference I attended one week prior at the EY office. I was so appreciative for the culture of just being able to network and make connections so easily with people who were rooting for my success. When I was not at an interview, I spent my time effectively networking with professionals from companies such as Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Bank of America, and Grant Thornton. I also connected with a professional from PwC who I had met before when I did a job shadowing event during high school. The workshops that I attended also had a tremendous impact on my growth of character, both personally and professionally. One in particular that resonated with me was a seminar entitled, “Freshman/Sophomore Breakout: Preparing for the Real World” presented by Deloitte. The instructors in this seminar, who also work for Deloitte, gave us advice on how to stand out in our respective internships and the benefits of networking. All in all, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped me get to the Eastern Regional Student Conference. I don’t take opportunities such as this one for granted since they do not come often. Attending this conference has inspired me to become heavily involved with NABA as I now look to hold a leadership position within the chapter. Once again, thank you for the opportunity, and it is much appreciated.Kaiyell Pettie

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLETNABA’s 2017 Eastern Regional Student Conference was my second timeattending ERSC. This year was even better than the last one! This time Ireceived a scholarship from RSM and I built many new friendships with myfellow peers as well as with many new professionals from differentcompanies.The scholarship I received meant so much to me. I can continue to fundmy education and that means the world to me. My dream to become anaccountant and this scholarship has furthered my ability to achieve this.Networking is very useful and important in the business world, but I was ableto make deeper relationships at this conference. Moreover, I got to knowmore about the various students and professionals from NABA across theentire region. It was amazing to be a part of such an amazing group of youngprofessionals like myself. Everyone was very friendly and supportive. This wasan amazing experience for me because I am a shy person. I usually don’t talkmuch, but at this conference, I felt so supported that I started to come out ofmy comfort zone. I became more outspoken and I started to see myselfbecome the confident leader and young professional that I truly am. Iarticulated myself and projected my personality in a way I never thought waspossible because of my shyness. Even when I stumbled or made a mistake, Iwas still supported and encouraged to try again. This was the most importantlesson that I learned.From NABA, I’ve learned that I am in a growing stage of my life where I reallyneed to focus on making sure that I am leading and bringing my confidenceand personality to the table. I may make mistakes, but NABA will support meno matter what.Denisha Smallwood

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET From the moment we got off the bus in Norfolk, Virginia I felt like I was in for a life-changing experience. Being a part of NABA’s 2017 Eastern Regional Student Conference was enlightening and instrumental for me as an individual. It not only helped me affirm my choice in my career path, but it helped me improve on many areas that are essential to succeed in the field of Accounting. I now feel like I have a clear roadmap in terms of reaching my goals, such as pursuing my CPA, after I get my Bachelors. I found the daily workshops to be very helpful because they addressed all the underlying questions people, myself included, seemed to have. My conversation with many of the recruiters and event leaders gave me the much-needed confidence I seemed to lack when it came to networking and self-branding, and for that, I am extremely grateful! This trip gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people, even from Baruch, whom I had never met before. Now that I am back in NewYork, I want to make effective use of the skills I learned at the conference and I look forward to staying in touch with recruiters and people I’ve met. I hope to have the privilege of attending next year’s conference as well! Thank You!Naibelis Cabral

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET Over the last 3 years, being a part of NABA is one of the best things that has happened to me in my Baruch College career. NABA has helped me to grow personally and professionally. So far, I have attended two Eastern Regional Student Conferences and one National Conference, and each time I have a great experience meeting NABA professionals and volunteers who continue to give me much needed advice and guidance on the path to success. The most interesting event for me this year, was by Joseph Wilson II, Bounce Back, don’t let rejection keep you down. He reminded me and every other student in the audience that, “It’s not what happens to you. It’s how you respond to what happens to you”. The brother's circle event was also a favorite of mine, where brothers from various backgrounds share their own different stories. This served as a great learning experience to see first- handedly, how we all come from different walks of life, and that not all of us had the privilege to live the luxury life but, we can definitely put our best foot forward and do our best moving forward. I had two interviews with JP Morgan and Baker Tilly, which was extremely exciting. It was a great opportunity to meet all of those recruiters from top companies and being able to network and get connected. The traveling experience to Norfolk, Virginia was also exciting for me. I have never visited Virginia before so traveling with my fellow NABA Baruch members was a great experience. I was able to try some local food and I was also able to walk about 10 minutes from Hotel to find some South Indian dishes which was really amazing. I think It’s really important to realize the main motive of NABA which is “Lifting as we climb”. All of us should always help others even after we reach our personal goals or destinations and we have to make sure, we give it back to others and hold on to the motto if “Lifting as we climb. I remember attending the event “Lifting as we climb” where Roberta Esther shared her personal story about how she navigated challenges early in her career and how hard work and persistence was the key to her success. Her story motivated me to realize the idea of working hard despite how difficult it may get. At the end, I want to say, these small stories mean a lot for us who haven’t entered the corporate world as of yet. And I really want to thank the people who sacrificed their time, money, and energy to help us attend this conference. Most importantly, I believe one day I will also be able to help others. As we all believe in the idea of “Lifting as we climb”MD Fazley Fayel

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET I am so thankful and grateful that I had the opportunity to attend the 2017 Eastern Regional Student Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. I have never been to a professional conference like this before. I was not only anxious and nervous about embarking on a new experience but, I was also eager to see what the conference had in store for me. I would like to say a big thank you to the NABA Baruch E-board, for being there to help each and every one of us who attended with whatever we needed. From helping us by looking over our resumes, with our elevator pitches, and teaching us how to brand ourselves, the NABA Baruch E board was always there, whether it was at 1AM in the morning or 5PM at day. The NABA family showed us that as an underrepresented group we must come together and work harder to succeed. NABA ERSC helped me to be more comfortable in professional settings. From the different sessions, I attended like, “Freshman/ Sophomore Breakout: Preparing for the Real World presented by Deloitte”, “Sister Circle”, “Business Etiquette” and much more. They allowed me to be more comfortable in the business world. This conference confirms more of my interest in becoming an accountant, I was able to speak to professionals and hear about their journey which inspired me even more. Before the conference, I was pre-selected for four interviews. I had four interviews back to back with Grant Thornton, Prudential, Deloitte, and EY. At first, starting the interview with Grant Thornton and Prudential, I was more nervous. However, when it came time to interview with Deloitte and EY I was more relaxed and the interview ended up being more conversational than back to back questions. After the conference, I was able to have two second-round interviews with Deloitte. Additionally, EY invited me to their Super day for final round interviews. Lastly, Grant Thornton offered me an invitation to their summer leadership program. Overall, I feel like my interviews were successful and very informative, the professionals left me with life advice that I can take apply to any path of life. Later after the conference, I went to Starbucks for a quick bite, and I saw some of the professionals from RSM that I have previously talked to. This experience made me work on my professionalism, from talking to them on the Starbucks line they invited me to a dinner hosted by their coworkers. At the dinner, I was able to learn about each of their experiences and more about them personally. I was able to build a professional relationship with them even after the conference. Overall, I am grateful I had the opportunity to attend NABA’s 2017 Eastern Regional Student Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. I am thankful for all the volunteers who took the time out of their busy schedule to help out to make it a memorable event. I am happy that I took part in this conference and I am looking forward to attending many more conferences like this.Boluwaduro Babarinde

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET As a first-time attendee at ERSC, I must say that the conference exceeded my expectations. I was blessed to have attended the convention as a scholarship recipient and I'm immensely grateful for the experience. Traveling to Virginia for the conference with my fellow ambitious peers was one of the highlights of my trip. We got the opportunity to build long- lasting bonds and friendships. Being in Norfolk, Virginia was also a first for me. I had the chance to explore unfamiliar places, as well as new foods. The people were friendly and the scenery was breathtaking. At the conference, I not only had the chance to form new relationships with my peers but also had the opportunity to build a vast network with the many professionals in attendance. I am both humbled and inspired to be a part of such an amazing organization that truly lives by the motto \"Lifting as We Climb\". There've been multiple times in my life where I’ve questioned my decision to pursue accounting, but attending this conference reignited my passion to continue with my studies. Being in a room filled with successful and respected black professionals solidified the truth that there's hope for me. With God by my side, I truly believe that the sky is my limit. To all those who made this phenomenal trip possible, please accept my sincere gratitude.Blessing Nkama

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET Attending the Naba Eastern Region Conference was one of the best things I did this year, this opportunity was incredible and I thank NABA and most importantly God for presenting me with this opportunity. When I heard about the conference, I was very excited to go but also very skeptical. I have never attended anything like it which was one of the reasons why I had so many doubts. Thoughts of not being good enough lingered in my head as I started the registration but I did not let that stop me instead I went ahead and completed the registration. Even after completing the registration, I still had so many doubts in my head but with the help of my friends and the NABA Baruch chapter I overcame my uncertainty. Looking back at the whole experience, another reason why I was able to overcome my uncertainties was that going into the Conference, I was very well prepared. I was constantly practicing until I felt confident enough. The quote by Allen Iverson “When you are not practicing, someone else is getting better.” Motivated me to consistently practice, this allowed me to go into the conference fully ready and with a great deal of confidence. One thing that I was really nervous about was the career fair because prior to the conference I never attended a career fair or even got to speak to business professionals. Although I was very nervous at the career fair, I was still able to show confidence while I was speaking to the professionals I realized that there was really nothing to be nervous about. The professionals were very nice and eager to speak. All of this showed me that they loved what they’re doing and that they were willing to help anyone who needed it. I am really proud of Being a part of NABA because of the great opportunities that NABA presents to its members and also the great deal of work that everyone puts in. Everyone was willing to help me and answer all the questions I had including help with my Resume, my elevator pitch, questions to ask during the career fair and so many more things that enabled my success at the Conference. The experience I had at the conference was a great one and I am so thankful to the overall NABA community for giving me this amazing opportunity. The whole conference was very educational and I look forward to attending next year.Badirat Matty-olasupo

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET Every day, I live by the saying that education and self-improvement play a major role in one's journey to success. In my community in Far Rockaway, Queens, there is a general apathy towards receiving an education and getting a career. In turn, there is not a lot of support to help motivate the youth, let alone instill the values of networking, getting an education, and building one’s brand. On October 5th-8th, I had the privilege of attending NABA’s 42nd Eastern Regional Student Conference (ERSC) in Norfolk, Virginia as a first-time attendee. Because of the countless preparation prior to the conference, such as the Pre-Conference event, Mock Interviews, Resume Workshops, etc., I felt extremely prepared and confident for ERSC. I had the opportunity to network with both students and professionals, expand my knowledge, and attend many informative and motivational sessions while being surrounded by Black excellence. Ever since I joined NABA Baruch as a Freshman, NABA has always given me the opportunity to grow professionally by making me an event lead for some professional events, placing me with an amazing mentor, and providing uplifting events such as ERSC. One person has the ability to lead citizens of the world and change history, but it takes a community to help create that change in the world. NABA is a community and family full of world changers. We encourage each other to be our authentic selves and be someone that the world is missing. Thank you NABA Baruch and NABA Inc. for making it possible for me to have a liberating ERSC experience. Because of your continuous support for students like me, you are helping black students excel beyond the limits placed on them. Once again, thank you.Ashley Druses

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET I'm a transfer student from Borough of Manhattan Community College; I’ve been involved with of a lot of social, cultural and professional club during my ongoing time as a college student. NABA is the first club I have been part of that where I feel like they are truly there for me and my professional development. I joined NABA in the Spring of 2016 but I just started to get more involved because a friend of mine is part of the Lehman Chapter and he went to Nationals. He explained to me the opportunity that NABA can bring to you once you apply yourself and get involved as a member. I still didn’t fully take him seriously. One of the main reason I did not fully take it seriously was because I’m a Marketing Management major with a minor in Law and Policy. So I didn’t feel NABA really had anything to offer me. This semester I made a personal decision to switch from Marketing Management to Finance. As someone who attended the conference last year, I was more prepared and knew how to take advantage of the opportunities present to me. It was very fulfilling for me to be able to pass on the knowledge of the mistakes I made to the first time attendees from Baruch college. I was able to assist them with resume writing, appropriate attire/color coordination, how to navigate the career fair and generally how successfully present themselves to the best of their ability. Being at ERC just solidified NABA for me. From the professionals, volunteers, and even other NABA chapter members we were just encouraging and willing to help you regardless if you were interested in their line of work, because chances were they know someone in the industry of your desire. The professionals were just willing to network and give you the necessary resource they have to help you succeed or carry you to the next level. The workshops that were provided also were very informative and geared toward putting and building yourself for success. I can go on but thank you NABA for being there for students like myself and for impacting our lives now and for many more years to come.Malik Bandaogo

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2016 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLETThe goal of NABA is to bridge the gap for generations to come within areas ofbusiness where minorities are misrepresented. Being apart of thisorganization’s legacy as the Vice President of the Baruch Chapter is trulylife-changing, especially when others look up to you.Having the chance to attend NABA ERSC this year in Virginia was truly anamazing experience. As a junior, I had the privilege to attend my freshmenyear in PA and see the full scope of what NABA was like on a grand scale.After going through a selection process of selecting attendees for thisconference, I’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in those who attended.Having the opportunity to step out of NewYork and come together as anorganization- I’ve seen people unite, stay up late doing mock interviews, bevenerable, but also we have formulated a support for one another.NABA allows our members to utilize their talents on a larger scale whilegrowing professionally with the appropriate skills needed to advance in theirfuture career. I attended many workshops but the one that had a lastingimpact on me was “Black Women at Work” held byYoung Ambitious One(YAO). We went in depth about controlling the stereotypes, addressing how tofeel comfortable with the hairstyle that you chose to wear, your bodylanguage and communication style.Thank you NABA for hosting your Annual Eastern Regional Conference!Sophanie Occean

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET My name is Aaron McMeo. Recently, I joined the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). I was given the opportunity of attending their 42nd Annual Eastern Regional Student Conference in Norfolk, VA. I found the conference extraordinarily beneficial and full of opportunities for anyone in a business related major. One part of the conference that I found useful were the workshops. The event consisted of many different workshops on various topics sponsored by different companies. One workshop that I enjoyed was “10 Keys to Success” presented by Ernst andYoung. We were able to learn more about the accounting firm and how we can be successful in our professional and academic career. The most important part of the event to me was the Career Expo. It consisted of many different corporate sponsors of the top financial institutions. We were able to network with recruiters and current employees while also gaining insight on their first-hand experience in their career. I received two interviews for finance internships, followed by a super day interview here in NewYork City. If there’s any advice that I can give to future attendees, I learned that networking is critical. I’ve met so many new people from different chapters nationwide and have gained various connections with business professionals from this trip alone. These are people that I can contact in the future regarding employment opportunities or business ventures. Also, make sure to take full advantage of this trip. Talk to as many companies as possible and have an open mind. Thank you NABA Baruch for investing in me.Aaron McMeo

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS BARUCH COLLEGE CHAPTER 2017 ERC TESTIMONIALS BOOKLET When I found out I had been accepted to attend the NABA Eastern Regional Conference, I was beyond surprised. I was thrilled for the learning experience and the opportunity to travel outside of NewYork. I love being away from the city because there is so many more new experiences to embark on. I was excited when we finally arrived in Virginia; the air, in itself, brought an amazing feeling to my heart. When I first walked into the NABA conference, I was amazed at how everything was arranged, how prepared everyone was, and the diversity in the atmosphere. As a freshman, I was intimidated by the upperclassmen. They had more experience and knew exactly what career path they wanted to pursue. In contrast, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. But I didn’t let that discourage me from trying, stepping out of my comfort zone and meeting new people. Students that I encountered from other colleges were wonderful and kind-hearted. I expected everyone to be strictly about their business but they genuinely cared about me as an individual. I can walked away from this experience knowing that I meet genuine people who want to see me succeed in life. Despite not receiving an interview, I was referred to the KPMG Summer Leadership program which I definitely intend to apply for. Throughout the conference, I attended various workshops but the one that stood out the most to me was “Sister Circle.” It was a Q&A workshop with all black females; it was very powerful. The two speakers gave great tips for working in corporate America as an African-American woman. After the NABA conference, I knew I wanted to explore other industries besides accounting because there were so many more opportunities presented to me that sparked more of an interest. But I was also inspired by every person at the conference who attained success in doing what I had a passion for. I was reminded that it’s okay not to be like everyone else.You just have to do find what you love and everything else would fall into place. Thank you NABA for a wonderful and eye-opening experience. I am beyond grateful.Nayla Henderson

NABA Baruch Thanks…Accounting Unit