By Elijah Goosby

In mid-May, the PICPA held its 126th Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, which I had the pleasure to attend. I had the idea that I would be meeting many young professionals at the event just like myself. Strangely, and to my surprise, there weren’t as many of us young professionals there as I thought there would be taking advantage of this golden opportunity to mix with our peers and potential mentors. I, personally, think it is important to get out and network, especially when we are just starting our careers. Perhaps you disagree. I hope I can persuade you to my line of thinking.

Networking is vital. It exposes young professionals to diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise. Engaging with professionals from different industries or disciplines enables us to expand our knowledge base, gain insights into emerging trends, and learn about best practices. Through networking events, seminars, and conferences, young professionals have access to workshops and presentations delivered by experts in our field, enhancing our skill sets and keeping us updated with industry advancements. Here’s an example from my own experiences at the Annual Meeting. I got to meet people like Kristin Seeger, CPA (Kreischer Miller) and Chris Kosty, CPA, CIDA (Schneider Downs). I connected with both in different ways, which was important to my growing networking skills. Kristin came up to a group of us and introduced herself and engaged in conversation with us. When meeting Chris, on the other hand, I went up to him because we both had something in common: we both graduated from Washington & Jefferson College. There are many ways you can connect with people, and just being at the meeting presented opportunities to engage that I would’ve never expected.

Access and other professionals' willingness to share are why I am writing this: if I did not attend this event the opportunity to meet these intriguing CPAs wouldn’t have been easily achievable. I met many other professionals at this event as well, and now I have a head start on building meaningful relationships in the profession. Can you say that?

Networking can also build self-confidence and communication skills. Sure, I was nervous getting to meet new professionals, but after engaging in several conversations I got more comfortable. Speaking with professionals from various backgrounds can help you articulate ideas effectively, present yourself professionally, and build bonds that last. It’s not all about the numbers – communication is vital to what we do as accountants.

More experienced professionals love to meet with us younger professionals and present us with opportunities to meet and connect with other professionals. I know the accounting profession changed a lot after the COVID-19 pandemic shut-downs, and many of us work from home now. But we can’t isolate ourselves. I encourage all young professionals to take the initiative, get involved, and attend events. We are the future of the accounting profession, and there is only one way to grow into our future leadership roles: meet others who are, or will be, experts in things we may not be experts in.

Networking is an invaluable tool for young professionals as we establish ourselves, enhance our career prospects, and achieve long-term success. It gives us access to a wide range of opportunities, enhances knowledge, develops essential skills, and forges meaningful relationships with other professionals. Networking not only expands professional horizons but also cultivates confidence and communication skills. As we continue on our career journeys, actively engaging in networking activities should be a top priority to leverage the power of connections and unlock their full potential.

Elijah Goosby is a tax associate at Sisterson & Co. LLP in Pittsburgh. He can be reached at ergoosby@sisterson.com.

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Statements of fact and opinion are the authors’ responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the PICPA's officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.