By Cecilia Yontz, OSCPA marketing and communications intern 

Students have the unique ability to learn and grow with an abundance of resources, something OSCPA Student Ambassador Grace Houser has taken advantage of.  

“Everyone was once in our shoes once,” said Houser, a senior accounting major at Cleveland State University. “They understand, and they're willing to help, because they want to see the accounting profession grow and bloom. Everyone's working toward the same goal.” 

Whether it’s using academic services and programs, or connecting with professors and industry professionals, Houser emphasized that there’s an abundance of people who are willing to help you learn and grow. You just have to put yourself out there. 

“When you are in college, you're paying for those experiences and resources, and then in return you'll come out of college, and you'll get paid for those experiences and expertise you now know,” she said. “So, it's really a great kind of balance. If you invest in yourself, it'll pay off.” 

Houser describes herself as an introvert, so being an OSCPA Student Ambassador has helped push her out of her comfort zone.  

“I presented in front of the Accountancy Board of Ohio when they came to Cleveland State, and that was huge,” she said, adding that it was much different than presenting in front of her peers before the start of class.  

Last fall, Houser attended OSCPA’s Accounting Careers Leadership Academy (ACLA) events and was awarded a scholarship from Kaiser Consulting. The whole experience was one that Houser was grateful to be a part of.  

“Getting to connect with other students outside of my campus peers and who are going to be coming into the workforce with me, making those connections and then in return, winning a scholarship was just awesome,” she said.  

Even though she already has a job lined up after graduation, Houser noted the importance of continuing to build connections because you never know where it could take you in the future.  

“The business world is built on those connections,” said Houser. “Making those personal connections will help me grow in my career, and now when I walk into a room with people in suits, I'm not afraid to go up and say ‘hello, my name is Grace Houser,’ shake their hands and really make an impression.” 

Upon graduating in May, Houser plans to sit for the CPA Exam with hopes of becoming a CPA. At the end of the summer, she will begin working in the audit department in Grant Thornton’s Cleveland office.