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Meet The Firms, where recruiters interview students for internships and jobs, is just one of many special events hosted by Harbert's Beta Alpha Psi chapter.
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Harbert College’s chapter of the
Beta Alpha Psi honorary earned “Superior” status for 2013-14 from the international organization for aspiring
accounting individuals.
The
School of Accountancy’s 138-member Epsilon Omicron exceeded Beta Alpha Psi’s national standards for good
standing. Chapters are graded based on service hours per chapter member, professional
development meetings, presentations at regional and national meetings, and hosting
special events such as “Meet The Firms,” where dozens of accounting employers (Beta
Alpha Psi sponsors) recruit students for internships and full-time positions.
Of the roughly 300 active chapters nationally, less than half achieved Superior status.
“It’s like being over-achievers,” said
Colby Lakas, Harbert College’s Beta Alpha Psi faculty sponsor. “We’re not just meeting the bare
minimum for existing as a Beta Alpha Psi chapter -- we’re going above and beyond.
“This honor tells our students that they can be proud to be an Auburn Beta Alpha Psi
member because the organization has recognized Auburn as being in this top tier of
chapters nationally. For us to be specifically named as being outstanding, that’s
a great thing. I also think it gives our employers a lot of confidence in what we
do. It’s not one of those honor societies that you just pay a fee and you put it on
your résumé.”
Instead, juniors and seniors earn their way into Beta Alpha Psi by having grade point
averages of 3.0 or above overall, in their respective major, and in upper-level accounting
courses.
“Students are placed on membership lists that are then distributed to the sponsoring
employers,” Lakas added. “The employers, because there is a GPA requirement in Beta
Alpha Psi, prioritize recruiting Beta Alpha Psi students. The employers obtain these
lists each semester and waste no time in reaching out to those students for events
they host on campus.”
Auburn’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter, founded in 1978, is designed to: 1) help students
build their professional skills; 2) foster interest in current career topics by connecting
academic preparation with the practice of accounting; 3) provide an avenue for students
to build relationships with accounting professionals; and 4) instill a lifelong commitment
to serve.
For more information about the chapter, contact Colby Lakas at (334) 844-6253 or Colby.lakas@auburn.edu