Many people are going back to school in order to try to push them further ahead of the competition. For one student, going to school has earned her an opportunity that will surely help her stand out from the rest. Valerie Allen is the first Georgia Gwinnett College student chosen to attend the Leadership Institute for Accounting Students. The event is for students who have a keen interest in business and professional services, an interest in business and leadership qualities. The program is sponsored by Smith & Howard and Tarpley & Underwood, two accounting firms in Georgia. Students will learn about team building, time management, goal settings, how to differentiate oneself in an interview and how to transition from academics to work experience, along with plenty of time to network with professionals from the sponsoring firms. "Valerie is an excellent student," said James Weisel, professor of accounting at the college. "She also is president of the newly formed Accountancy Student Organization, having taken the initiative to gather other interested students and create the student group. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the accounting industry is expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018.  |