Closing the Opportunity Gap - Support Isenberg C.A.M.P.

Since 1998, the Isenberg School of Management’s Careers in Accounting and Management Professions (C.A.M.P.) initiative has provided underrepresented high school students a free, week-long program to learn more about the field of accounting and other business related professions. C.A.M.P. participants enjoy a diverse set of learning experiences, including classroom lectures, hands-on activities, and visits to small and large businesses.

In order to grow C.A.M.P.'s impact and student reach, we'll need your help. Your support, regardless of the size of the gift, will help provide opportunities for these students, and will contribute to closing the opportunity gap that affects the families and children in our communities and neighborhoods.

A MESSAGE FROM HANNAH WINN '15 and KYLE LAWLESS '12

Data from the American Institute of CPAs shows that minorities represent one in six professionals at accounting firms nationwide. In addition, accounting is often a second-generation career in which many CPAs have parents who also worked as CPAs. This lack of diversity has consequences both for our profession and our nation.

Our profession suffers from the lack of innovation that diverse, inclusive working environments foster and our nation suffers from an opportunity gap which leads to increasing social strife and income inequality. In business, diversity of ideas, approaches, and solutions are highly valued and sought after. The push to diversify our workforce needs to develop in the same stride. We believe it is our responsibility to make a difference and that, together, we can work to close the opportunity gap. 

By supporting C.A.M.P., we aren’t just teaching high school students about careers in accounting and other business fields, we are providing inspiration and opportunity for students who might otherwise never be exposed to the profession. We are giving these students insight into a career in business, in turn, helping to bridge the opportunity gap and strengthening the talent and diversity of our workforce. We can all make a difference and it will be the sum of our actions that creates the change our profession and our nation need.

If we reach our $1,500 goal, the Isenberg Accounting Department will match us dollar for dollar, doubling our efforts!

We hope you will join us in supporting C.A.M.P. and sharing in the many opportunities we received from our own communities and our Isenberg education.

“Few of us will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events.  It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.” - Robert Kennedy

ABOUT C.A.M.P.

The Careers in Accounting and Management Professions (C.A.M.P) program is an opportunity for underrepresented high school students to partake in a week-long experience to learn more about the field of accounting and other business related professions. Coordinated and operated by the Isenberg School of Management, the business school at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the program is free to all participants. The program receives funding from the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, Rick '79 and Susan Gulman '81, and Margery Piercey '84.

C.A.M.P. ACTIVITIES

The program will include a diverse set of learning experiences, such as classroom lectures, hands on activities, and visits to business organizations. Faculty from Isenberg will introduce students to the world of accounting, management, and marketing. Session will also cover college admissions and resume building. During the week-long program, students will complete in teams on a business related case study, partake in team-building activities, and have the chance to meet with folks from the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, and other business professionals.