As a future CPA, I have greatly enjoyed the advantages of being a WSCPA student member. My experience and membership with the WSCPA began when I was a junior in the accounting program at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. After discovering and applying for the Washington CPA Foundation Scholarship this past year, I was delighted to hear that the scholarship review committee selected me as one the 60 students to receive a $5,000 accounting scholarship. I also learned that the scholarship included the bonus of a free year of WSCPA membership as a student member. I found the subsequent scholarship reception to be a fantastic opportunity to network with professionals from across the Puget Sound region.

In the summer before returning to school, the WSCPA notified me of their annual Small Firm Career Fair. This event was a chance to attend a networking gathering of local firms at no extra charge—made possible by my student membership. I was able to submit my résumé before the event and visit the WSCPA in Bellevue for an afternoon of networking and numerous handshakes. After meeting the 20+ firms in attendance, I left this event with a greater appreciation for the leaders and opportunities in the small-firm category. Within 24 hours of attending the event, I received an offer to interview with a Mercer Island firm, Northwest Tax Advisors LLC, and secured my first full-time internship one week later.

Now, after receiving another WSCPA Foundation Scholarship for the upcoming year, I will graduate in the spring of 2019 with my CPA credit requirements. I am grateful to the WSCPA for connecting me with the resources to be a successful student and professional—all because of generous scholarships and my WSCPA student membership. I can’t thank you enough, WSCPA!

Connor Airis is a two-time recipient of a Washington CPA Foundation accounting scholarship. He studies accounting at Western Washington University and is on track to graduate in 2019.