1. Start With a Professional Photo

Your photo is the first thing people see — and it doesn’t need to be fancy.
Choose a clear, well-lit headshot where you look friendly and approachable. No filters, pets, or graduation gowns. A neutral background works best.

Tip: If your school or a career fair offers free headshots, take advantage! OSCPA offers a free headshot each September at The Career Showcase. 

2. Write a Clear, Confident Headline

Your headline shouldn’t just say “Student.”
Use this space to show your focus or ambition.

Examples:

• Accounting Student | Aspiring CPA
• Business Major Interested in Audit & Financial Analysis
• Future CPA | Finance & Data Analytics Enthusiast

Make it easy for employers to understand what you're aiming for.

3. Add a Strong “About” Summary

This is your elevator pitch, a short paragraph that shares:

• what you’re studying,
• your career goals,
• skills or interests, and
• what you’re looking for (internships, networking, mentorship, etc.).

Example:
"I’m an accounting student with an interest in audit and financial reporting. I enjoy problem-solving, working with data, and learning how businesses operate. I’m currently preparing for the CPA exam and looking to connect with professionals in accounting and finance."

Keep it friendly, confident, and straightforward.

4. Highlight Your Education

Include:

• your school,
• major/minor,
• expected graduation date, and
• relevant coursework (Intro to Accounting, Audit, Tax, Data Analytics, etc.).

Adding courses helps employers understand the foundation you’re building.

5. Showcase Experience, Big or Small

Whether it’s a part-time job, internship, campus leadership role, or volunteer work, it all counts.

For each role, add:

• a simple description of what you did,
• any achievements or responsibilities,
• skills you developed (communication, teamwork, attention to detail, customer service).

You don’t need long paragraphs – simple bullet points are perfect.

6. Add Skills & Get Endorsements

Choose a mix of technical and soft skills, such as:

• Microsoft Excel
• Financial Analysis
• Communication
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Problem-Solving

Later, classmates and colleagues can endorse you, which helps credibility.

7. Request Recommendations

A short recommendation from:

• a professor,
• internship supervisor,
• manager from a part-time job, or
• volunteer coordinator

…can go a long way. Even one strong recommendation helps your profile stand out.

8. Build Your Network Early

You don’t need hundreds of contacts overnight. Start small:

• classmates
• professors
• coworkers
• professionals you meet at events or classroom visits
• OSCPA volunteers or speakers
• recruiters you interact with

Add a quick message like:
"Great meeting you today – I’d love to stay connected!"

9. Keep Your Profile Active

You don’t need to post daily. Just keep things fresh:

• share an article you found interesting,
• celebrate completing a course,
• comment on accounting or finance topics,
• or repost news about the CPA profession.

Activity shows you’re engaged.

10. Don’t Forget to Add Certifications & Achievements

Include things like:

• DEI certifications
• Data analytics or Excel trainings
• Scholarships or academic awards
• Student organization roles
• Volunteer experience

These give employers a fuller picture of who you are.

Bonus: Follow OSCPA and Industry Organizations

Follow:

• OSCPA
• AICPA
• NASBA
• Accounting firms
• Finance influencers or educators

Your feed will be full of useful insights, job postings, and career tips.