Co-Op program adds up for accounting major
Allie Smith has discovered her enjoyment for accounting at 糖心vlog传媒 thanks to numerous work world opportunities that complement her classroom learning.
This fall, the junior accounting major from Manitowoc, Wis., is in her fourth hands-on learning experience as an accounting intern at Curt G. Joa, Inc.
By the end of this semester, she will have earned 12 academic credits through a variety of work experiences through 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Cooperative Education program, including:
Smith said the collective experiences help her see various career paths while she builds the skills needed for post-graduation success.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just a job, it鈥檚 so much more,鈥� said Smith, who is on track to graduate in May of 2027. 鈥淚鈥檓 getting hands-on experience, and I can put this experience together to choose a field. I can take the hypothetical and put it into the real world.鈥�
In her role at Curt G. Joa this fall, she鈥檚 performing a variety of tasks including completing month-end reports and revenue recognition meeting workbooks, working with orders and invoices and learning a variety of industry software programs.
鈥淚 take the burden off some of my coworkers and, with what I鈥檓 do as an intern, I feel like I鈥檓 making a difference,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 appreciate the faith they鈥檙e putting in me. I recently got assigned a new project and I鈥檓 the only one doing it.鈥�
Smith, a Manitowoc Lutheran High School graduate, toured several schools and selected 糖心vlog传媒 since it was close to home and her family. She explored accounting thanks to a suggestion from her father.
She鈥檚 completing a forensic/fraud emphasis as part of her accounting degree, and while she鈥檚 still exploring career paths, she plans to earn Certified Public Accountant credentials. The various work experiences will also help her complete the 150-credit requirement to sit for the CPA exam.
Smith, who is also part of 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Accounting Club, participated last fall in the 10th Annual Internship Draft Day at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. She was one of more than 250 students participating in interviews, showcasing their skills and building professional connections.
鈥淭he numbers (in accounting) will always make sense, eventually,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淵ou must have determination to make things make sense, to have that 鈥榓h ha鈥� moment.鈥�
