Coffee & Conversations: Brew Up Some Connections This Summer

Our Coffee & Conversations Summer Series kicked off last month and it was a huge success! Coffee & Conversation Leaders and CPAs Leslie Sesser and David Togami provided insights into the accounting profession and answered questions from students and CPA Candidates. Students heard how Leslie and David became interested in accounting and what drove them to pursue careers in the field and learned about best practices for interviewing and networking, how to determine if a firm’s culture is a good fit for them, and how to prepare for a career as a CPA. If you missed the July session, don’t worry because there’s still time to register for the August and September sessions.

Some of the most valuable career connections start with casual conversations over coffee and, unlike traditional networking events, Coffee & Conversations is intentionally informal. The Coffee & Conversations series connects you directly with professionals who want to share their experiences and help guide you along the path to licensure. There’s no interview pressure and no formal agenda, just a chance to ask questions, hear career stories, and gain insight from someone who has been through the CPA journey themselves. Whether you’re curious about day-to-day work in audit versus tax, preparing for internships, or exploring the various career paths open to CPAs, these conversations are designed to meet you where you are.

Coffee & Conversations is easy to join. Simply register for the August session led by Liz Redmond and Amanda Schaffer and the September session led by Jenny Cravens and Carrie Ommen and you’ll have an opportunity to chat with these accounting professionals. There’s no preparation required, but you’ll get the most out of the experience if you come ready to ask questions about the profession, work-life balance, or anything else you’re curious about.
If you want to prepare further, you can find their bios on the WSCPA Coffee & Conversations webpage and WSCPA has a dedicated YouTube playlist with interviews and advice from CPAs sharing their journeys and tips for building strong professional relationships. Watching these short videos can help you feel more confident going into the Coffee & Conversations sessions and ensure you make the most of your time.

From casual conversation to real opportunity, it all starts with a simple chat. Whether you’re trying to figure out your next step or just want to hear how others navigated their CPA journey, Coffee & Conversations offers a relaxed, welcoming space to connect. Reserve your spot for the August and September sessions today and take that small, but meaningful, step toward building your future network.