High School Speaker's Guide

Speaking to high school students about your career doesn't need to be intimidating. We've put together a handy packet that'll take you through everything you need to know, from contacting the teacher through giving a dynamic, interesting presentation.

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Download the High School CPA Profession Speaker's Guide
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About the High School Speakers Bureau
High School Students Today...Some Perspective
High Schools Today
Class Schedules
Contacting the Schools
How to Give a Dynamic Presentation
Do's and Don'ts
What Students Want to Know
Suggested Speaker's Outline

About the High School Speakers Bureau

The student outreach program of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA) strives to foster interest among high school and college students in the CPA profession as well as to create a better understanding and awareness among students (and educators) about the career opportunities made available by pursuing the CPA designation.

By volunteering as a member of the CSCPA High School Speakers Bureau, you can help encourage and positively promote the CPA profession just by sharing your experiences and advice with students. In addition, by speaking in classrooms and to other student groups you will be able to:

Provide a valuable community service by building relationships, offering your time, support, expertise, and insights to local Connecticut schools.
Offer useful resources about the CPA profession to not only high school students but to teachers and guidance and career counselors who serve as a “sphere of influence” to many students who will be deciding what career to pursue.
Help ensure that the most accurate information about the CPA profession is made available to students and educators while also being able to clarify common misconceptions. In particular, dispelling myths that all CPAs are “bean-counters,” “number-crunchers,” and/or boring.
Provide students and teachers with presentations and information that address the importance/relevance of the CPA profession and the many career options of a CPA, and offer encouragement to those interested in pursuing accounting majors and CPA careers.
Developing and practicing public speaking and presentation skills without requiring discussion of heavy technical topics. You will simply be “talking about yourself.”

High Schools Students Today...Some Perspective

When addressing teenagers and in order to better connect with them, it’s valuable to try to see their view of the world. Enclosed are some items from the annual “mind set list” that may help put into perspective the world that today’s teens have grown up in.

For those born in 1990 or after:
(From Beloit College’s Class of 2012 Mindset List)

Harry Potter could be a classmate, playing on their Quidditch team.
Since they were in diapers, karaoke machines have been annoying people at parties.
GPS satellite navigation systems have always been available.
Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino.
As a precursor to "whatever", they have recognized that some people "just don't get it."
Martha Stewart Living has always been setting the style.
WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
The Warsaw Pact is as hazy for them as the League of Nations was for their parents.
Students have always been "Rocking the Vote."
Clarence Thomas has always been on the Supreme Court.
Schools have always been concerned about multiculturalism.
IBM has never made typewriters.
Employers have always been able to do credit checks on employees.
Called ID has always been available on phones.
The Green Bay Packers (almost) always had the same starting quarterback.
They never heard an attendant ask "Want me to check under the hood?"
Iced tea has always come in cans and bottles.
Windows 3.0 operating system made IBM PCs user-friendly the year they were born.
The Hubble Space Telescope has always been eavesdropping on the heavens.
98.6 or otherwise has always been confirmed in the ear.
Michael Milken has always been a philanthropist promoting prostate cancer research.
There have always been charter schools.

High Schools Today

Typically when we think of high schools we envision our local public school system. However, today there are far more choices and types of high schools than ever before. Not only are public high schools (which themselves include everything from inner city to small rural regional schools) an option, but secondary educational institutions also encompass parochial, private, independent, technical, magnet, academies, and charter schools. In addition, many students have opportunities within their schools for students to earn college credit while still in high school and work as interns for local businesses.
Here’s a brief description of some of these schools:

Charter Schools: A charter school is a public nonsectarian school organized as a nonprofit corporation and operated independently of a local or regional board of education. Charter schools offer a range of educational programs, small classes, and enhanced teacher-parent communication. (source: CTDE)

Interdistrict Magnet Schools: Magnet schools are public high schools designed to voluntarily reduce racial, ethnic, and economic isolation. They seek to attract students from school districts by offering a special high-quality curriculum. They provide educational opportunities for students who benefit from a range of themes or teaching philosophies that include performing arts, math, science and technology, international studies, early childhood and multicultural education. Admission to these schools is open to all students in participating school districts. (source: CTDE)

Academy of Finance (AOF) programs aim to prepare students for post-secondary education and careers through academic learning and hands-on work experiences within a theme-based, contextualized curriculum. Students are exposed to broad career opportunities in the financial services industry, creating new options for the future. Also as part of the curriculum, students are required to complete an internship. (source: NAF)

Independent schools are private, nonprofit schools governed by elected boards of trustees. Strong emphasis is placed on mastery of basic skills - reading, writing, mathematics, and the arts. Tuition and other fees range from a few thousand dollars at some elementary day schools to over $20,000 for boarding schools. (source: CAIS)

Vocational/Technical High Schools: Public high school where students receive a Connecticut high school diploma as well as a certificate in a specific trade technology. Tech high schools aim to assistant students in finding employment upon graduation and/or seeking a post-secondary education. (source: CTTECH)

Connecticut’s Tech Prep Program consists of at least two years of secondary and two years of post secondary education and leads to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in a specific career field; established upon the signing of an articulation agreement between a specific high school and/or vocational-technical school and specific college and/or university. (source: CTDE)

Class Schedules

The “typical” school day runs from about 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with most class periods lasting about 45 minutes. Some schools use rotating schedules so each day a class may be held at a different time. Also, some schools use “block scheduling” which means a class period may be as long as 90 minutes but only meets 2-3 times a week.

Try to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. Often you will check in at the main office and perhaps be escorted by a teacher, student, or security personnel to the class.

Business or business casual dress is fine. You should dress the way you normally dress for work.

Contacting the Schools

In order for school visitations to take place most efficiently, making a strong initial contact with a school is important. With the Society’s student outreach program firmly in place, you will most likely be working off of requests sent to the CSCPA Academic & Student Relations Associate, who in turn will disseminate a request to you based on your location preferences. Your job will be to follow up on the request and contact the teacher via email and/or phone. You may wish to include the following in your introductory conversation:

Introduction of yourself
Explain that you are a volunteer CPA with the CSCPA student outreach program and that you are following up on the request sent to the Society.
Ask questions such as what times/days the class(es) meet, what the teacher would like you to discuss, how many students there are, what they are currently covering in class, etc. and arrange a mutually convenient time for your visit.
Most often your contact at the school will be a business/accounting teacher or a career or guidance counselor.
If a teacher/school is unresponsive to your correspondence, the general rule of thumb is to follow up again in two weeks with a phone call. Often the best time to reach a teacher is at about 2:30 p.m. when class is over.

***Important: Once you have scheduled or completed a speaking engagement at a school, please let Jill Brightman, CSCPA Student Relations Specialist, know by contacting her with a quick e-mail (jillb@cscpa.org) or phone call 860-258-0239.

How to Give a Dynamic Presentation

Speaking with high school students is a very important part of the CSCPA’s student outreach program. It gives students the chance for an up-close and personal look at the CPA profession that is often more accurate than media portrayals or old stereotypes. Here are some tips for a successful presentation:

Before the presentation, talk to the teacher about the class, student interests, etc. Communication is key.
Personalize your presentation as much as possible. Students like to hear stories about your experiences rather than just the facts about CPA certification requirements. Note: Stories involving fraud, crime, celebrity, etc. often go over very well with students.
Make your talk as interactive as possible by including the students in your presentation. Start off with an icebreaker, provocative question, or an unusual fact or story related to current headlines that you can tie into your broader discussion on the accounting profession.
Ask students questions. Perhaps go around the room and ask them their names, what kind of career they are interested in, etc. Try to get them involved in the conversation by discussing topics familiar to them such as school, part-time jobs, music, etc.
Narrow your focus to a few easy-to understand points that they can relate to and have fun with, rather than telling them everything you know about the accounting profession.
When answering student questions always try to emphasize the positive. There are negative aspects to every profession and our role is to point out the diversity and opportunity available in the CPA profession.
When possible, visual aids and little giveaways (pens, small items with company logo, etc.) can really be of help with students.
Use any materials (PowerPoint, etc) you feel comfortable with and create a format that suits you. We do have a PowerPoint made that you can use or look through for ideas to include in your own.
Relax! Try to keep your tone conversational and non-threatening. Don’t be monotone or speak as if you are reading directly off of a piece of paper.
Be yourself. Smile often, maintain eye contact, and don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun!

Some Do’s and Don’ts

DO...

Treat students with respect and speak to them as young adults. This doesn’t mean using lots of jargon or introducing concepts that may be beyond their knowledge base, but just not speaking to them like they are still in junior high school.
Stay positive. Most professions have such things as busy seasons, long hours, continuing education, etc. and the students will encounter negative aspects of the working world soon enough. Try to discuss the positive aspects of your career choice.
Be honest in your answers and never lie to students. It’s important to be sincere in your comments. If giving an honest answer appears negative, try to also balance it with the positive side.
Stay in your own comfort zone. Students may on occasion ask a question that makes you uncomfortable. The most common is asking about your salary. If you are not okay with giving that information, you don’t have to. You can answer the question by providing a general salary range based on experience.
Utilize your own knowledge base and your own good judgment!

DON'T...

Prejudge the students based on school location or economic factors. Even though teens are essentially the same, every school and every class is a different experience. A bad experience with one school, teacher, or student should not prevent you from speaking to other students, classes or at similar schools.
Lecture. If there’s one thing students detest, its monotone lectures! You are much better off getting students involved, asking them questions, calling on people, or handing out little “rewards” (pens, etc.) for those who ask questions, or answer a question correctly.
Call the students “children.” “Students” or even “kids” are fine, but calling them “children” can come off as condescending.
Try to act cool or say, “I’m not your typical CPA.” This is a mistake because even if you are the coolest, you can look foolish when you are trying too hard to be “all that.” Second, saying you are not a typical CPA can sound like a put down to the profession and hence, make it seem unappealing.

Your Career Discussion - What Students Want to Know

At this point in their education, many students are starting to think about college and career options. Sharing your experiences in college and in the work force will help students better understand the CPA career path, the accounting industry’s importance in the business world, and what the requirements and expectations are of individuals who wish to pursue accounting and the CPA designation.

Career Topics You Can Address:

School experiences: Talk to students about what kind of student you were, where you went to college and why you chose that school. You can also mention the colleges/universities in Connecticut that offer the accounting major.
College courses: You can tell students some of the courses you took, perhaps economics, business law, finance, computer classes, etc, but also that CPAs are expected to be knowledgeable about a wide range of issues and that also means courses in science, government, liberal arts are important in becoming a well-rounded individual.
State requirements: Students are usually interested in knowing how long will they have to go to school to become a CPA. Explain that students can earn their accounting degree in four years and would now be able to sit for the CPA Exam with a Bachelor’s Degree, but are required to have some extra classes (150 hours completed) to become certified. It’s helpful to point out that many professional careers (law, medicine, teacher, etc.) require some type of advanced degree and completion of a test to receive their credentials, and in that regard, the CPA profession is not that different. You may also want to mention the two-year experience requirement and ethics exam.
Your “typical” day: Explain your day-to-day work schedule and an accurate picture of your job responsibilities without being too technical. How do your responsibilities differ from day-to-day? Do you stay in the office or travel? What do you like? What do you not like?
Work involved: Describe what you do. Compare your position with others available within your firm or company. You could also talk about the opportunities for advancement and associated responsibilities and perks, as well as a realistic timetable of what it takes to move up.
Skills needed: Students picture an accountant as a math geek stuck in an office, chained to a desk, using pencils and a ten-key all day. Stressing communication, people, and technical skills can help them understand the true nature of the job.
Job benefits: Discuss whether you make your own hours, if you have travel opportunities, upward mobility, help people, etc.
Hours: Be honest about the number of hours you work, but explain that during certain times of the year, while employed by certain organizations/companies you may work 50-70 hours per week. But, also point out that you are able to take vacations during slower periods and may be able to work flexible hours or from home.
Career choices: Mention that there are many types of concentration areas that a CPA can choose to pursue. Discuss some of the hot fields in accounting such as forensic accounting, fraud prevention, FBI/IRS (government), international accounting, auditing, financial planning, technology, and the entertainment industry.
Salaries: Students are always curious about how much money they can make and are usually not shy about asking how much money you make. If you are comfortable telling students this, then do so. However, if you are not, the most effective way to answer this question is by giving students a general range of salaries at the different levels of experience and expertise. You can let students know that becoming a CPA does offer good starting salaries and high earning potential over time.

Suggested Speaker’s Outline for School Presentations

Here is an outline that may be helpful when preparing to speak to students. Remember, this is only a suggested format.

Introduction
- Your name, job title, where you work, hobbies, family, etc.
- Describe your office, type of firm/business you work for
- Describe where you went to school, college experiences
Choosing a Career
- Jobs vs. careers, value of college education
- Ask students if they know what career path they are interested in
- Why you chose to study accounting in school
- Why you chose to become a CPA
What do you all day?
- Your “typical” day
- Job responsibilities, travel requirements, levels of advancement
- Personal stories – how you helped a client, uncovered fraud, etc.
CPA Requirements
- Education (120-150 hours), experience (two years), exam (computerized), ethics
- Skills needed (communication, PC skills, problem solver, etc.)
Benefits of becoming a CPA/Why do you enjoy being a CPA?
- High earning potential, flexibility, helping others
- Numerous opportunities, upward mobility
- Opportunity to work with many industries/specialties (public, private, education, government) and niche areas (forensic accounting, financial planning, tax, audit, not-for-profit, international business, etc.)
Question/Answer
- Take questions, offer advice, encouragement
- Leave students with a positive message

*** You may also choose to show a video or other visual aids along with your presentation. Brochures, pens or other handouts are helpful as well. Remember, personalized and interactive presentations are usually the most effective.

If you'd like, feel free to use our PowerPoint presentation for your presentation or for ideas.

Have fun!