Relationships Matter - 2016 Winter - Spectrum - Article

matterRELATIONSHIPSBy Dr. Jan WilliamsThe rise in social networks over the last decade has drastically changed the way the world communicatesand interacts. Instead of picking up the telephone to call to say hello, schedule a meeting, share orrequest information, we use smart phones to text and post messages on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter,Instagram or a number of other social media platforms. But the more things change, the more they staythe same. Social media may have become the most preferred form of communication, but that’s abouthow we communicate. The why we communicate – the need to have and build strong relationships– remains the same. In the midst of ever-evolving communication platforms, we cannot neglect theintimate, face-to-face interactions that help to nurture relationships and build social capital.16 SPECTRUM | WINTER 2016

“If you want to go fast, GET INVOLVED. The best way to meet people and to establish relationships is to get involved. Getting go alone. If you want to involved in extra-curricular activities on campus, like NABA and Beta Alpha Psi, are great places to start bonding and go far, go together.” establishing relationships with your peers. It is a stress-free way to learn more about the profession and to practiceRelationships are critical to professional success. networking and communicating with others — skillsBecoming a successful professional requires more than that are essential to building relationships. Attendingjust a college degree. A college degree provides the student regional and national conferences, hosted bytechnical knowledge needed to enter the profession, organizations, such as NABA, BAP, ALPFA, etc. will alsobut becoming successful requires much more. That broaden your horizon. These are exciting ways to meet‘much more’ can be developed and enhanced through business professionals and students from other collegesrelationships. Research suggests that relationships are and provide the opportunity to travel to different cities.one of the preeminent predictors of success. An African Don’t, however, limit yourself to accounting organizations.proverb states , “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you Consider getting involved on campus, or by volunteeringwant to go far, go together.” Building relationships and in your community, church, sororities and fraternities.learning from others can not only expand horizons, but These organizations will expand your network, providealso elevate professional opportunities. As such, college leadership opportunities, and contribute to your success.is an opportune time for students to not only focuson technical knowledge but also to focus on building STAY CONNECTED. Stay connected with the people youprofessional relationships. meet. Keep in touch with them and nurture the relationships. Although social media is a great venue for informationBUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PROFESSORS. dissemination and discovery (not being on it could meanProfessors are awesome mentors who can help maximize being left in the dark), it should not be the only source foryour college experience. Professors are familiar with the staying connected. There is influential power in face-to-faceaccounting profession and skills needed to be successful. conversations and interactions. Staying connected withA relationship with your professor will inspire you to think professors, classmates, colleagues, former coworkers, andbeyond the classroom, encourage you to take advantage managers on social media is great. However, it is crucialof opportunities, such as scholarships, internships, and to go a step further to nurture the relationship. Make aextra-curricular activities; motivate you to move outside telephone call to say hello; extend an invitation for lunch,your comfort zone; and provide you with advice on dinner, or coffee to catch up; or send a congratulatory noteunfamiliar matters. As an undergraduate student, one in the mail when you hear good news about someone youof my accounting professors advised me to take calculus know. Look for ways to stay connected, and standing outas an elective in case I decided to go to graduate school while doing it will make a big impression — not to mentionin the future. I would have never chosen calculus on create memories along the way.my own. However, it turned out to be some of the bestadvice I received while in college and a tremendous asset Relationships are essential in life. They can be your mostwhen I pursued my Ph.D. degree a decade later. important asset and just as valuable as the technical accounting lessons learned in the classroom. The cliché,BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PEERS. Take “It’s not what you know but who you know,”remains true.the time to get to know your classmates. The people As you build relationships, you learn from others (andyou attend classes with will graduate and work at their mistakes), increase your network, and exponentiallydifferent organizations. Like you, they will become future increase your opportunities for success. It is no secretprofessionals. The relationships you build in college can that a career in accounting provides a plethora ofdevelop into life-long relationships and serve as great opportunities; building strong relationships along theresources along the way. Building these relationships way will help you to seize some of those opportunities. ▲in college is also a great way to ensure a professionalnetwork when you enter the workforce. These early Dr. Jan Williams, CPA, CGMArelationships will help you to build confidence and can be is the director of the Accountingextremely instrumental in establishing a foundation for Honors Program and the Yaleparticipation, growth and networking in the profession. Gordon Chair for Distinguished Teaching at the University of Baltimore. WINTER 2016 | SPECTRUM 17