Financial organizations densely populate West Chester University, offering a vast wealth of financial knowledge and a seemingly unlimited selection of networking opportunities. By attending and being a part of any one of these kinds of organizations, you add immense value to yourself. From bringing in professional speakers to presenting real life experiences, accounting and finance honor society Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is no exception to the rule.
Anyone with a remote interest in finance, especially if you are an accounting major, should join BAP. Not only will you gain important financial knowledge, but you will have access to an expansive network of fellow students and recruiters. They hold weekly meetings every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. that give students the opportunity to learn, grow and network alongside their fellow WCU students. BAP also has tutoring available each week on their website, which can be found below the article.
Being a vast organization of WCU students, BAP had a few of their many active members relay and share their experience and interactions within the organization.
First is Kayla Van Bremen, current member but previous tutoring chair, communications officer and Vice President. Bremen has been with BAP for around three years. She said that she “attributes a lot of [her] success to [her] time in BAP.” Having been “given opportunities like no other and having met some of [her] lifelong best friends within the organization,” she suggests that fellow students join BAP, especially if you are in a financial or accounting major.
Next is Brendan Heenan, the Co-Community Service Officer, who has been with the organization for about two years. Heenan said how his experience has been very good, and that he has “learned many things about accounting” he would not have learned elsewhere.
Haley Watson, the Reporting Officer, has been with BAP for around three years. Her experience within BAP has also been positive. She said that she has “learned a lot more about the accounting field by being in [BAP].”
Joe Carlson, another member of BAP, has been with the organization for about a year. Carlson said that he “wanted to explore [his] major, meet with fellow classmates and connect with professionals in [his] future field.” His experience in BAP has been not only excellent but also very helpful.
Nick Pellegrino, a BAP candidate, is new to the organization having joined this semester. Pellegrino said he “wanted to become more involved in [his] field of study and be connected with individuals who are also passionate about accounting and finance.” He continued, saying how, “although this was [his] first week with the organization, everyone has been very kind and welcoming,” making it easy for him to join.
Next is Juliet Scarlota, the social media chair, also in their first semester with BAP. Scarlota said how the “organization is handling the pandemic extremely well,” keeping everyone engaged and always hosting meetings and events for students to attend. Scarlota said that joining “has helped [them] break out of [their] shell, and [they] have already met such amazing people.”
Maria Garibaldi, a member in the organization, is in her first semester with BAP also. Garibaldi said how she was “really interested in the networking opportunities,” and that “it’s really cool to hear from people from different parts of the accounting and finance world.” Her experience so far has been “very positive and informational.”
Lastly, Benjamin Scott, the current Vice President, has been in BAP for around two years. Scott said he has “had an amazing experience at BAP,” meeting a lot of new faces and being allowed the opportunity to serve in multiple leadership positions.
Beta Alpha Psi is a unique and lively organization that allows room for personal growth and opportunities to make friends. BAP allows students to network and possibly be recruited for a job or internship, all while providing the tools to expand your knowledge along the way. It would be a gross understatement to say you should join this organization, due to the height of its rewards that it grants those that attend.
Ramconnect Page- https://ramconnect.wcupa.edu/student_community?club_id=19749
BAP Website- https://www.bap.org/
Academic Makeup (Of Those Included In This Article):
Majors (5)- Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Economics, International Business
Minors (2)- White Collar Crime, Digital Marketing
Evan Brooks is a third-year Business Management major with minors in Economics and Civil and Professional Leadership. EB916132@wcupa.edu