UC Davis MPAc Orientation: Kickstarting Our Accounting Careers

I discovered the UC Davis Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) program during my attendance at the Summer Institute of Emerging Managers and Leaders (SIEML) at UC Irvine in 2023.

The University of California's SIEML offers a two-week immersive business and career leadership experience for undergraduates from an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) or HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution). The program rotates annually to each of the six UC business schools, including the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

My experience at SIEML drew me to the UC Davis MPAc program. As I researched further, the small, intimate, yet rigorous classroom environment convinced me it was the right choice. Before classes even started, our cohort attended a four-day orientation that culminated with a networking event, Meet The Firms, to meet recruiters from the Big 4 and other accounting firms.

MPAc Orientation: Building Connections and Preparing for Success

During MPAc orientation we met our professors, networked professionals during accounting firm presentations, and offered many career development opportunities.

Networking activities included first and foremost bonding with our peers and building relationships grounded in relatability, empathy and trust. Presentations by our peers enlightened us on who we would sit next to in class for the next nine months.

MPAc Academic Executive Director C. Janie Chang, Associate Director Zoë Richardson, and representatives from various accounting firms offered valuable insights into the potential career paths available to us as future accountants.

Representatives from Big Four Firms, boutique firms, and local companies spoke to us about their career opportunities, professional development, and company culture. Some firms spoke about what it meant to be a tax or audit professional, while other companies spoke about accounting roles within their companies.

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Elevator pitches, mock interviews, and resume revision were just a few of the many career development exercises that took place at orientation. We grew because we were encouraged to give our best.

The real-time constructive feedback revealed our current strengths and areas for growth.  The first three days of orientation ramped us up for the Meet the Firms on the last day.

Meet The Firms is a career fair exclusively for incoming UC Davis MPAc cohorts. Recruiters from more than 20 companies greeted us, ranging from the Big Four firms, boutique accounting companies and government agencies. We were well prepared and pitched ourselves to the firms we thought would be the best fit.

We discussed company culture and our career interests, then concluded with the companies requesting our resumes.

We are young professionals embarking on what it means to be a UC Davis MPAc student. The positive reinforcement of the benefits of MPAc Orientation and Meet the Firms is the amount of joy I see daily as my peers receive and accept offers from their desired companies.