The Passport to Professional Accounting Program at LSBE has been a proven success tool for accounting majors, and now it's being expanded across all LSBE majors. While the formal program will be launched in Fall 2013, students can start participating in seminars and workshops in February 2013.
The Passport program provides students with many of the "soft skills," which are so necessary in today’s working environment. Soft skills include leadership, written and verbal communication, problem solving, motivation, interpersonal skills, and creativity. A 2012 study by Millennial Branding and Experience, Inc. showed that soft skills top the list of abilities that future employees must have.
"Of all the things employers look for when hiring entry-level talent, it’s the so-called soft skills that are valued most: communication, teamwork, flexibility, and positive attitude are by far the most sought-after skills. Employers understand that everything else can be taught, so they look for the most promising raw material to work with," said Jennifer Floren, Founder and CEO of Experience, Inc.
The multi-year Passport Program consists of a multitude of professional development events and activities. These include attending student organization meetings or events, taking a Career Services workshop, participating in Dining for Success, visiting a job fair or recruiting session, taking part in a mock interview, attending Chamber of Commerce events, and so much more.
While the Career Services Office provides the lion's share of tools and resources for students to access for transitioning into a career, the staff and faculty at LSBE also are committed to proactively helping their students to succeed.
"The Accounting Department has been using the Passport for the past three years," said Alan Roline, Chair of LSBE's Accounting Department. "We have seen dramatic growth in the career awareness and preparedness of those students who have taken the initiative to participate in the Passport program. It’s a highly beneficial program."
The Passport program is just another example of how the Labovitz School of Business and Economics provides much more than just classroom learning. Career and experiential experiences like these take learning to the next level.