Bost Extension Center recently swarmed with job opportunities for Mississippi State University accounting students. Held on August 25th, “Meet the Firms” is the annual career fair sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary accounting society. The “firms,” consisting of public accounting firms, corporations, and a government agency, were among the many organizations on hand to educate students on available career opportunities.

Each year the event brings in more firms than the last, with a record this year of 22 firms in attendance. “The increase in the number of firms represented this year demonstrates the strong demand for our accounting students,” said Dr. Mark Lehman, advisor of Beta Alpha Psi. Firms from Mississippi’s Golden Triangle to Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, and Cincinnati attended the event. “This is a great opportunity for our company to meet prospective job candidates,” said Jerry M. Goolsby, CPA, of Smith, Turner & Reeves, a public accounting firm based in Jackson, Mississippi.

“Because the event has grown so much from last year, we had to book Bost Extension Center instead of the Hunter Henry Center,” said Ruth Pitts, president of Beta Alpha Psi. With around 100 firm representatives and over 180 students, “Meet the Firms” packed the ballroom.

Each firm had a booth where employees shared information with students regarding career options, benefits, clientele, and advancement opportunities. Students left the event with a collection of brochures, business cards, and a few keepsakes.

“This has been a great opportunity to network with professionals while learning more about my future career,” said senior James Madden. “Meet the Firms” is the first step in job recruitment and is a valuable experience for juniors, seniors and graduate students seeking internships or full time job offers. Contacts made at this event often help students secure future interview.

“This event offers a chance to meet a variety of people, which allows for opportunities to find out what people are about. It also creates an opportunity for people to make contacts,” said Durran Z. Dunn, an employee of KPMG, one of the “Big Four” international accounting firms.

Many firm representatives were alumni of Mississippi State. For them, the event is a chance to return to campus and support the accounting program. “I was pleased to come to this event because I felt that I should give back to Beta Alpha Psi, the professors of MSU, and the students,” said Clay Collins, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hollywood Casino of Tunica, Mississippi.