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Career opportunities abound at Business Industry Night.

Ligia Espinoza		From left to right: Katherine Leal, Gabriela Maisonnaive, Silvia Sosa

Held twice each year, Business Industry Night offers College of Business Administration students a not-to-be-missed opportunity to network with representatives from area Fortune 500 companies and governmental agencies.

The most recent event once again delivered on these expectations when approximately 250 undergraduate and graduate students—with résumés in hand—attended the fall session of Business Industry Night on September 20, 2007.

As always, Florida International University’s Accounting Association (FIU-AA) organized Business Industry Night, working closely with the Miami chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA).

The evening began with a panel discussion led by professionals from nine firms who helped sponsor the event.

“This marks the first time we’ve kicked off the evening with such an in-depth discussion,” said Carlos Canasi, current FIU-AA chapter president who is on track to earn his Bachelor of Accounting (BACC) degree in December, 2008. “The speakers advised students on career velocity and offered expert insights about how to tackle the challenges that come with launching a successful career in this field.”

Canasi and FIU-AA president-elect Ligia Espinoza worked closely together to plan and coordinate the Business Industry Night’s activities.

From left to right: Lauren Hubacheck, Ligia Espinoza, Carlos Canasi, José Toscano		Panelists from sponsor firms

One night equals myriad career possibilities.

Following the panel discussion and company presentations, students toured the mini-career fair, talking one-on-one with representatives from the various organizations and hearing firsthand about job and internship possibilities.

“Unlike a more general Career Services job fair, Business Industry Night offers a more focused, intimate recruitment environment where students majoring in accounting and finance, as well as in MIS, can connect directly with the organizations looking for their exact skill sets,” Canasi said.

Participants list reads like a “who’s who” of potential employers.

Sponsors and panel participants for the September, 2007, Business Industry Night included Advaion, LLC; Bank of America; BDO Seidman, LLP; Georgia-Pacific; Johnson & Johnson; Kane & Company, P.A.; RSM McGladrey, Protiviti, Inc.; and Royal Caribbean International.

Other companies and organizations represented at the event included Ameriprise; Black & Decker; Burger King; CIA; De la Torre Taraboulos & Company; Enterprise; FBI; Garcia, Espinosa, Miyares & Company, LLP; InktelDirect; IRS; John Hancock Financial; Kunnin Associates; Marriott; Mendelson Consulting; Northwestern Mutual Financial Network; Progressive; State Farm; and SunTrust.

Kenneth Henry, lecturer, School of Accounting, serves as faculty advisor to FIU-AA.

Learn more.

FIU-AA and upcoming events: http://www.fiuaccountingassociation.com.