Mt. Saint Mary Academy Students Learn About One of Today's Best Careers

Mount Saint Mary Academy students continue to discover the variety of career opportunities available for Certified Public Accountants. On November 17, Class of 2001, Stephanie Poll, CPA returned back to the Mount to inform students about the rewarding career options available to those who chose to pursue an accounting degree. As a Senior Manager in the audit practice at Deloitte, Stephanie was able to give students a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed in accounting and the benefits accounting professionals can expect.

For the past five years, Stephanie has presented the NJCPA Pay It Forward presentation to Ms. Kathleen Brennan’s economics class. “It’s important for the girls to see a younger female professional; someone not much older than them, said Brennan. “I am impressed by her career path. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy, attended Rutgers Business School and now has a successful career at Deloitte. Stephanie demonstrates to the students that they can manage a work-life balance while being in a leadership role.”

It was Stephanie’s general interest in business that influenced her decision to take Ms. Brennan’s economic class. She enjoyed the class and it solidified her decision to apply to the Rutgers Business School. According to Poll, “It’s hard to know what you want to do after school so I always found it interesting to hear from professionals and get ‘real life’ perspectives. I also think an accounting major and career in public accounting is a great career opportunity for women and wanted to share that with the girls at the Mount.” She hopes that she can help students recognize the skills one can develop in the profession like leadership, public speaking, team building and problem solving; instead of the stereotypical accountant most people see in the movies.

Mount Saint Mary Academy is a Catholic, independent school which provides an exemplary college preparatory education for young women in grades 9 through 12. Founded in 1908 as a sponsored work of the Sisters of Mercy, the Mount remains committed to challenging each student to develop her fullest potential in a Christian atmosphere of love and caring.