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Two Ohio Wesleyan University students earned more than valuable networking connections at the recent Accounting Careers Leadership Academy.
Both Anna Haines '26 and Andrew Williamson '25 also were selected by recruiters at the leadership event to receive scholarships to support their OWU experiences. The Bishops earned the funding in recognition of the caliber of their conversations with the accounting professionals.
Haines, an Accounting and Communication double major and a Business minor, is Ohio Wesleyan's student representative to the nonprofit Ohio Society of CPAs, which hosted the Nov. 8 leadership academy. The society "partners with Ohio accounting pros to "advance the state of business, creating a healthy and sustainable economic environment."
A resident of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Haines earned her scholarship from Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems. "We chatted about careers in managerial and cost accounting – and I am currently in a cost accounting class right now," she said.
Williamson, a Finance major and an Economics and Accounting double minor, earned his award from KSM, an Indiana-based advisory, tax, and audit firm. "I may pursue more information from KSM as I narrow down where I want to end up in my accounting career," said Williamson, a resident of Heath, Ohio.
Both students say their OWU educations are preparing them for their future careers with strong classes, internship support, and other opportunities.
This past summer, Haines worked as a communications intern at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and this coming summer, she will complete an internship with KPMG, a global organization that provides audit, tax, and advisory services. Currently, she is building her skill set working on campus as the annual giving intern for University Advancement.
"OWU has been extremely helpful in helping me achieve my career goals," Haines said. "When I needed help with my resume, securing an internship, or practicing an interview, there was always someone there to help me. Coming into OWU, I knew I wanted to do something in business, but was unsure of what I wanted to major in. The Woltemade Economics and Business Fellows Program allowed me to make an informed decision as I was introduced to all of the majors through the weekly luncheons, eventually leading me to choose accounting.
She also has guidance for prospective students considering becoming a Bishop: "My advice would be to take advantage of everything the school has to offer. Through accounting and business programs at the school, I have traveled to New York and Washington, D.C., to visit with alumni and see what my career could look like in the future. Also, make sure to start early! Many internships open up a year and a half in advance, so do not wait until the last minute to apply for internships!"
During his four years at OWU, Williamson has completed summer internships at NiSource as an accounts payable intern and at Mettler-Toledo's Polaris office as a finance and accounting intern, working in credit and collections and group finance.
"OWU has done a fantastic job of preparing me for my career," said Williamson, who plans to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). "I've had fantastic experiences through The Woltemade Center like traveling to Washington, D.C., with the Accounting and Finance Fellows and traveling to Hilton Head, S.C., with some other students to attend the College Ethics Symposium.
"These events have encouraged networking, learning, and general professional development that has been so useful in my internships and my coursework. I've also had the opportunity to take on multiple leadership roles throughout campus that have further helped my development."
In addition, Williamson said, "I've utilized the OWU Career Connection a ton – specifically Carolyn Lammert, to help me find internships and iron out my plans when I was not really sure what I wanted to do. My professors and advisor have been absolutely fantastic as well as they deal with my endless questions and help me along. They've all helped me so much and I appreciate everything they've done."
And his advice to prospective students?
Take that internship, join a student board, go travel to learn, do anything and everything!"
"My advice would be to jump into anything you can find," Williamson said. "Take that internship, join a student board, go travel to learn, do anything and everything! It can be nerve-racking exposing yourself to new people and new opportunities, but it is so worth it in the long run."
Learn more about OWU's Department of Economics and Business and related opportunities at owu.edu/economics. Learn more about The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship at owu.edu/woltemade.