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Benefits of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) Membership
Why you should join Beta Alpha Psi (BAP)
In our last blog, with Christina O’Connell, Director of the Center for Career Management, spoke about what employers look for on a resume. “Top items to see listed on resumes are student involvement and leadership experience on campus, communication skills and teamwork skills, as well as having relevant experience,” said Christina. One of the best ways to gain all these skills is through one of the 13 student organizations in the Williamson College of Business Administration. Today we will be talking about a nationally recognized group for Accounting and Finance majors, Beta Alpha Psi (BAP). We had the opportunity to interview the faculty advisor, Dr. Raymond Schaffer, about BAP.
What can students gain by joining Beta Alpha Psi?
Dr. Schaffer said, “The biggest things students can gain is the social aspect of being a student here in the college of business, networking, getting to know other students, but even then, more importantly, getting to know the professionals in their field in this area. With Beta Alpha Psi we have speakers come in, these are the people who hire the students.”
Networking and getting to know the professionals in the field you are going into is such an essential part of being a college student. Not only can this help you get a job in the future, but it can also give you valuable lessons you can apply to your life to set yourself up for success. It also gives you the opportunity to build a relationship with a potential employer.
Beta Alpha Psi is a nationally recognized group, because of this, BAP holds regional and national meetings that the students get to attend! “We actually go to regional and national meetings. Every year in the spring we have a regional meeting, we’re in the Midwest region, represented by: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. The students get to go to these meetings and meet other Beta Alpha Psi students.”
Getting to attend regional and national meetings is an amazing experience. This gives you the opportunity to network with the students you meet. Dr. Schaffer explained that not only do you get to meet these other students, but you also get to compete in something called “Best Practices.” If you win, you are invited to compete at the national meeting. Beta Alpha Psi at Youngstown State has won several regional meetings and placed third at nationals!
Have there been any members who have met their future employers through BAP?
“There are quite a few, one that comes to mind is Muhammed Yousef. He was our president and held a couple other offices. Something else that we have done is take tours, not only do speakers come to campus, sometimes we go to them. We went to Ernst & Young, which is one of the big four accounting firms, one of the largest in the world. Muhammed made contact there during our visit, got hired on and is currently working at Ernst & Young, that happens a lot.”
This is just another example about how important networking is and how Beta Alpha Psi can help you do it. If you didn’t know already there is a “big four” when it comes to accounting firms. They are Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler. These companies are considered the biggest in the world based off how much revenue they generate.
Are there any specific qualifications a student must have to join BAP?
“First of all, they have to be either an accounting, finance or information systems major. It’s an honorary organization so they have to have a 3.0 GPA overall and a minimum of a 3.0 in their major.”
Beta Alpha Psi is not the only organization that has requirements to join. This ensures that you are committed, and you will be working with others that are also committed. However, if you don’t meet the requirements there are other organizations that you can join as well which we will cover in upcoming blogs. Something that should be noted is that you cannot be a member if you have a minor in accounting or finance, it must be your major. However, Dr. Schaffer invites anyone to come to their meetings to meet employers.
How time consuming is Beta Alpha Psi?
“We have a meeting every Wednesday, this year were going to meet from 4:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. and there is time afterwards for people to stay and socialize until 6:00 p.m. BAP has specific requirements, when a student becomes a member, they have to attend a minimum number of professional meetings and participate in some service projects. The most common service project is tutoring other students. So, there is a minimum number of hours a student has to put in over the course of the year.”
What is the biggest event Beta Alpha Psi hosts?
“We’re planning it right now, it’s or annual golf outing. In addition to that, we do an alumni reception at a bowling alley, as well as a cornhole tournament.”
Not only can you gain vital experience and learn from professionals in your field, but you can have fun doing so. Beta Alpha Psi hosts numerous events giving you the opportunity to meet professionals in a nonprofessional environment. This is truly where relationships can be built. Take advantage of those opportunities because you never know where it will lead you.
Is there anything else you’d want to say to a student who is thinking about joining?
“Don’t hesitate, come to the meetings, get ready to join. You have to make the time; you have to build that professional network. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say I was shy but now I know these people, or I met somebody in Beta Alpha Psi and they’re my best friend now. It really creates bonds and lifelong friends.”
If you’re a finance, accounting or information systems major looking for incredible opportunities to meet employers, make new friends, and just have a great college experience make sure you look into Beta Alpha Psi. There are so many opportunities given to you in this organization that you should take advantage of.
Make sure you check out all of our student organizations at https://ysu.edu/academics/williamson-college-business-administration/student-leadership-organizations
