Accounting and Business Administration Major, Management Concentration
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Think accounting is dull? Josh Zelkind laughs at the thought. Having spent an internship with an investigative group at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Josh learned to ferret out methods of fraud detection at the corporate level. "It's forensic accounting," he says. "Forensics is ever-changing."
At the firm he worked closely with a senior partner, an invaluable opportunity for an intern. "At first I was a little nervous, but actually I was more than prepared," he says, crediting the range of his Ithaca College experiences. His assignment, developing a predictive model of companies likely to back-date stock options, has already paid off: he's been offered -- and has accepted -- an associate position with the group, which deals with disputes and investigations worldwide.
With his interest in international issues, Josh appreciates Ithaca's commitment to providing a global outlook -- and the chance he had to spend a semester studying reconciliation and development in South Africa. "I was impressed by how easy it was to study abroad and stay on track with my double major," he says.
The experience itself was eye-opening: "I learned about Zulu language and culture as well as South African history during homestays in three different townships. I can't wait to go back."
Meanwhile, he's taking full advantage of Ithaca's varied offerings. "At IC it's easy to get involved and be a leader, not just a number on the roster," he says, noting his membership in the School of Business peer advisers, Sigma Iota Epsilon, and many other organizations. And a local internship with a tax-preparation firm is enhancing his skills in corporate tax matters. "The professors are an incredible resource," Josh notes. "If you're looking for a job, they've worked in the field. If you're looking for an internship, they've been contacted by recruiters."
As for the future, he is looking forward to his new career. He expects each day will call on knowledge of different cultural and legal systems, require detective work -- and be anything but dull.
