Here’s a quick glimpse into Isabel’s journey to career success!
Name: Isabel Clark, Class of 2026
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Major: Accounting, minor in Social Innovation
Post-graduation plans: Isabel has launched her career as a Tax Associate at Paul, Cox & Todd PLLC in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She prepares individual and business tax returns and provides bookkeeping support for a diverse client base. Isabel maintains accurate financial records through payroll and tax reporting, account reconciliations, financial statement preparation and depreciation tracking. She also assists clients with tax compliance and reporting by analyzing financial data and preparing supporting schedules and workpapers.
How HPU helped you get there:
“High Point University helped me discover the career I was best-suited for, get connected with core mentors and find a post-graduate career with ease! I started freshman year undecided on what to study. Thanks to the PathwayU assessment and advising offered by the Office of Career & Professional Development, I declared my major in accounting by the spring of my freshman year. I stuck with this degree and found the absolute best mentors. With their help, I transformed into a young professional. These mentors connected me with the Accounting Club, where I networked frequently at meetings and secured an internship. That internship turned into a repeated experience and led to the post-graduate job I have secured!”
How did you use the Office of Career & Professional Development?:
“The Office of Career & Professional Development was vital for me, and honestly a big reason why I chose HPU in the first place. As a freshman without a declared major, I needed a school that would help me find the right career fit. I worked closely with Emily Long, assistant director of career advising, and she helped me find my path in accounting! I also went to the CPD office for advice on building my LinkedIn during my freshman year. I wasn’t sure how to use the site or what to include on my profile because my college career was just beginning, and they very much helped me through that process. During my senior year, I also used the CPD office for interviewing preparation as I was being considered for an award. I found their office very helpful throughout my college years. With each new step, they were there for me, answering any question I had!”
Did your interview process include a dining component?:
“My internship interview included a dining component where I ate with two associates. I certainly was thankful that HPU had prepared me for a moment such as this one. Prior to attending HPU, I did not even realize it was a possibility to have an interview over a meal. As someone who ate at an HPU fine dining restaurant weekly, I was beyond grateful for the practice! I felt reduced nervousness and an added layer of preparedness thanks to the fine dining experiences on campus!”
Most impactful mentor at HPU:
“I was fortunate enough to have two very strong mentors. The mentor who made me discover my love for accounting was Christina Griffith, Jefferson-Pilot professor of the practice of accounting. I met her during my first accounting class, and she is a big part of why I chose this degree. She quickly became someone I turned to for advice. She is the most kind-hearted person you would ever meet, and she always looked for opportunities for students. She got me involved with the Accounting Club Executive Committee, secured me spots at networking lunches, and was always there to encourage me when things got difficult! Additionally, Scott Davis, associate professor of accounting, was a core mentor to me. His classes were some of the most difficult I took during college, but they were where I learned the most. He consistently challenged my thinking, put me in real-world situations, and shaped me into someone who was right for the right reasons. I frequently came to his office for professional and life advice. Professor Davis never thought for me, but always analyzed the situation alongside me and asked me questions to help me better understand my own thoughts. Professor Davis and Professor Griffith always saw me for what I could be and encouraged me to grow as much as I could! These mentors are a big part of the success I experienced at HPU!”
Most impactful moment at HPU:
“My most impactful moment at HPU was joining the Club Ballroom and Latin Dance Team. By being on this team, I fulfilled my dream of learning to dance! I performed all kinds of dances from smooth dances like Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot to rhythm dances such as Rumba, Salsa, Cha Cha, Swing, Mambo, and more! But more importantly, this team introduced me to lifelong friendships! Without this team, our paths would have never crossed, so I am forever grateful that this team led me to my best friends!”
Advice for underclassmen:
“I once came across the following quote from James Clear’s 3-2-1 Newsletter that has stayed with me: ‘Success is often found by practicing the fundamentals everyone knows they should be doing, but find too boring or basic to practice routinely.’ Without realizing it, this was the philosophy that I lived by at HPU. Putting in the foundational work will only help you down the line. Being disciplined translates to many areas of your life both professionally and personally, and I believe that is the key to success!”
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