OSCPA student ambassador turns her passions into purpose

By Cecilia Yontz, OSCPA marketing and communications intern 

Being an OSCPA student ambassador has helped Stephanie Bowers break out of her shell and find her passion for helping other students.  

“If you'd have asked me five years ago if I would have enjoyed public speaking, I would have told you that you were absolutely crazy,” said Bowers, a senior majoring in accounting at Wright State University. 

As an ambassador, Bowers has had the chance to develop her public speaking skills. 

“The aspect of being able to go up in front of people and talk to them really has been fun. I try to be interactive and ask people questions and sometimes it gets a laugh out of them. It's so rewarding once people either register what I’m saying or laugh at a joke, and it's really encouraging to know that people still care.” 

Bowers has enjoyed encouraging students to combine their passions and major. Even if it might appear to students as though there isn’t much versatility in accounting, Bowers emphasizes that accounting is in every industry. 

“The big one that I like to point out is that sports teams, whether it's the Ohio State Buckeyes or the Cincinnati Reds, have an accountant managing their finances and taxes, ” she said. “I highlight to people that if they like sports there's still a job for them in accounting. If they like forensics, there's forensic accounting. There are so many different accounting jobs, and you can find something you're passionate about.” 

This past year Bowers served as the vice president of the finance club and has been actively involved in Miracle Makers, a philanthropic organization that she says allows her to build on her passion for serving others.  

“It makes you more well-rounded,” said Bowers about getting involved. “In high school I was involved in almost everything you could think of, and I feel like it's made me much more outgoing. I'm normally a very introverted person, but it's definitely made me more willing to go up to someone and just ask them what their career is like. And even if it's not accounting, it's such a great opportunity to meet new people and learn about other things that you'd maybe have never heard about.” 

Bowers plans to graduate this December with her undergraduate degree. She will then intern with Clark Shaffer Hackett next spring before returning to Wright State to begin a Master of Accountancy program.