Informational Interview. Had my info interview with the HR Generalist at Clark Nuber a few weeks ago. I really, really, REALLY enjoyed their office - it's the first time I've walked into an accounting firm and not felt intimidated. The receptionist got up from her seat, out from behind the desk, took my jacket and put it in a closet, gave me a CN nametag/lanyard, AND offered me coffee/tea/other refreshment. CN's website impressed me - not simply because they have a massive number of awards, but because they've made it very clear that CN is about the people, not just the numbers. I love that...! All in all, it was a very encouraging, useful interview. One thing she said that stuck out to me: CN is looking for people with passion, direction, and intellect. I would really love to work for them some day. Through a fortunate chain of events, I have another informational interview set up with a nonprofit tax manager at CN on November 20th!
Agathos Banquet. Last Saturday I spoke at the annual Agathos banquet at the Lynnwood Convention Center. I talked about my most memorable experience: seeing redemption beyond anything I could've imagined. I mentioned wanting to become a nonprofit accountant to help these kids and that I want to go back again this summer. Later that night, Jeff Levell (CFO for Pilgrim Uganda) introduced himself. We talked about my summer plans - wanting to somehow do an internship with Agathos and wanting to go back to Africa. He suggested doing an internship IN Africa - possibly setting up a system of some sort to keep organizations and businesses financially accountable. I talked to the Mae, the Office Manager at Agathos, about it and she enthusiastically suggested partnering with both Pilgrim Uganda and Agathos to do an internship overseas! I have no idea how details of this will work out (do I pay to be there, do they pay for me to be there, how am I going to earn any money this summer to pay for school expenses?) but if it does... what an amazing experience it would be!
The banquet was very beautiful.. I forgot how much I missed/love these kids and how much my heart goes out to them. The director for an orphanage in Zimbabwe also spoke and it was shocking - but touching - to see the things she'd been dealing with. The closing speaker, Lief Moi, urged us to contribute to Agathos.. He made a really good point when he brought up his grandson, who I think was due yesterday. He told us about imagining: what if my grandson were left with NO ONE to love him? No parents, no grandparents... left on his own. And it hit him how horrible that would be - but it's happening every day in Africa. Agathos is doing amazing things over there and I'm honored to be part of their work.
Finance Option. I'm mulling over whether or not to keep Finance as a second option.. for a while it just seemed to not be intuitive at all... but after working in groups and through a bunch of problems, interest rates finally make sense. If I keep Finance, my course load will be very rigorous for the next 3 years and I won't be able to take some Accounting classes that would be VERY helpful in my career and with the CPA exam. There will be little (if any) wiggle room and I don't want to overload myself. Good news, though, is that the difference between yield to maturity and coupon rates finally makes sense! So maybe there is hope for Finance becoming more intuitive. I need to meet with an advisor - but not until AFTER my midterm.. I'll keep you updated on how this goes.
Those are the big things that have happened.. Will update more after midterms. Thanks for tuning in!
Jessica K. Nguyen
Junior - Accounting
Michael G. Foster School of Business
University of Washington, Seattle
accountingforAfrica.blogspot.
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