Supporting your CPA Journey
The Power of Community: Why Connection Matters for Accounting Students
Building a career in accounting isn’t something you do alone. Whether you’re in high school exploring career ideas, studying accounting in college, or working toward your CPA, having a strong sense of community can make the journey easier, healthier, and more rewarding.
This page offers guidance on why connection matters, and how to build your network in a way that supports both your academic success and your wellbeing.
Why Community Matters
Students who build connections early often find it easier to stay motivated, navigate challenges, and see a clearer path to their goals. Community can help you:
- Reduce stress: Having people to talk to – classmates, mentors, professors – makes academic and career pressures feel more manageable.
- Build confidence: A trusted network gives you a place to ask questions and get advice when you need it.
- Stay on track: Feeling supported and included makes it easier to keep momentum, especially during busy or difficult periods.
These benefits aren’t about having a huge network, even a few meaningful connections can make a big difference.
Where You Can Find Connection
There are many ways to build community throughout your academic and early career journey. Consider exploring:
Working with others can strengthen your understanding, reduce stress, and make coursework feel less isolating.
Groups like Beta Alpha Psi, accounting societies, or business clubs offer ways to meet people who share your interests and goals.
Professors and advisors can become long-term mentors who guide you through decisions about classes, internships, certifications, and careers.
Events, workshops, student groups, volunteer opportunities, and early-career programs offered by organizations like OSCPA provide opportunities to learn from people working in the field.
Discussion boards, professional groups, or tutoring spaces can offer support when you can’t connect in person.
Looking After Your Wellbeing
Community is an important part of staying well, but individual habits matter too. Balancing school, work, and life takes practice, and the strategies below can help.
- Plan your time: Use a study schedule or planner, and include breaks so you don’t burn out.
- Move regularly: Even a short walk or stretch can help reset your mind and boost your energy.
- Try mindfulness techniques: Deep breathing, meditation apps, or journaling can help calm your mind.
- Reach out when you need support: Connecting with peers or mentors can make challenges feel more manageable.
- Prioritize sleep: Rest is essential for focus, memory, and overall wellbeing.
You don’t need to master all of these at once, even small changes can have a positive impact.
Your OSCPA community
It’s helpful to know that OSCPA is one of the places where students can expand their community. We provide student membership, events, networking opportunities, and resources designed to support your academic and early-career journey.
If you’d like to explore professional connections as you grow, OSCPA is here. Click here to explore the latest member events and activities and click here to learn more about committees.
