For Accounting students at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), attending the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) National Convention in Las Vegas is more than a networking trip—it's an opportunity to begin building a professional identity long before graduation.
Preparation and Presentation: Setting the Stage for Success
The journey to the conference began long before students stepped onto the plane. Leadership at the Marilyn Davies College of Business (MDCOB) Center for Career and Professional Development, alongside National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Faculty Advisor Zoe Smith, instilled a core philosophy in the attendees: preparation is just as vital as attendance.
As Smith often reminded the group, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
To ensure the six student attendees were fully equipped to excel, Smith led comprehensive preparation sessions. Students refined their résumés, polished their personal elevator pitches, researched attending employers, and mastered the art of professional conversation. Furthermore, to eliminate financial barriers to success, the Center for Career and Professional Development ensured that any student in need of professional attire was provided with the means to acquire a suit.
A Transformative Opportunity
This conference represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these UHD students. Beyond standard networking, attendees gain direct access to corporate professionals and members of Executive Leadership Teams. By speaking, dining, and interacting with top-tier executives in person, students engage in experiential learning that goes far beyond the classroom. These are the invaluable, real-world experiences that cannot be taught they must be lived.
Maintaining a high standard for personal presentation paid off. Early in the conference, a NABA organizer praised the UHD representatives for coming prepared and standing out by dressing in suits, which reinforced the brand of MDCOB as a school that is keyed into what makes candidates and employees competitive.
Throughout the week, the students attended recruiting sessions, workshops, company presentations, and networking events with accounting professionals from across the country. In one memorable session, Tina Knowles gave an inspirational speech encouraging students to pursue their dreams. At the end of each day, the UHD team convened and debriefed on all that they had encountered.
For graduate Professional Accountancy student and NABA External Relations Officer Zouzou Batiste, the convention drove home Smith’s teachings that professional success extends beyond academics. Batiste spent her time networking extensively with potential employers. They consistently reiterated how networking and being proactive were key to securing a good job.
A professional told Batiste, “Stand up and be your biggest advocate,” she said, and that piece of advice is one she extends to others: Back on campus, Batiste now encourages other students to take advantage of the same opportunities.
“When I did my undergrad at UHD, I had no idea about NABA,” she said. “They say knowledge is power, and I want students to be able to know that this is what happens when you network. It's while you're in school that you actually start looking for the job.”
Smith also calls for more students to consider joining NABA, saying, “Know that we are accepting of everyone. We are dedicated. I don't care who you are—if you're struggling with accounting, but you want to be an accountant, we are here to help you.”
Along with connecting students to employers, NABA continues to expand workshops, office visits, industry speakers, and technical training to ensure students enter the workforce prepared.