Multiple Internships Lead Accounting Alumnus, MBA Student to Position with Federated Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Meet Brandon Camic
Job title: Staff Accountant
Employer: Federated Investors, Inc.
Degree earned: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Point Park University, 2016
Degree pursuing: MBA with a concentration in Management
Expected MBA graduation: Summer 2018
College activities: Point Park University Men's Basketball Team and member of the Student Accounting Association
Scholarship from Point Park: Athletic scholarship
Hometown and current residence: Port Vue, Pa.
High school: Serra Catholic High School
Hobbies/interests: Die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan, playing basketball, Netflix and traveling
LinkedIn: Brandon Camic
Brandon is now an intermediate accounting analyst for UPMC.
Tell us about how you landed a full-time accounting position with Federated Investors in Pittsburgh.
During my final semester, I was interning and working to line up a full-time job for after graduation. I researched different positions on Indeed.com, focusing on full-time jobs at companies that were well respected and where I would have opportunities to grow. I did some research on Federated Investors and realized that this company was just what I was looking for so I applied for a position and ended up having two interviews. I was fortunate to land a staff accountant position with Federated.
Why did you choose to study accounting?
Coming into Point Park University, I was originally a business management major. However, I've always had an interest in accounting and taking Introductory Accounting I and II and Managerial Accounting really peaked my interest in the field. One of the best decisions I made in my college career was switching my major to accounting because of all the opportunities it opened up for me.
What factors led you to continue at Point Park for an MBA degree?
My experience as an undergrad led me to continue at Point Park University for my MBA since I knew a lot about the program, its faculty and the University. And as a Point Park alum, I get six credits waived for the MBA program.
Most importantly, I am a big advocate for Point Park University and I believe in the continued success of the Rowland School of Business. I feel honored to have the opportunity to earn my MBA at Point Park. And as a bonus, Federated's offices are Downtown so I am able to simply walk across town to class after work.
Please list internship and career-related experience you've gained as a Point Park student.
- Finance/accounting intern, Ketchum, Inc.
- Sales auditor, American Eagle Outfitters Corporate Office
- Accounts payable intern, Wesco International, Inc.
- Accounting intern, ERT
What advice do you have for our incoming freshmen?
The best advice I have for incoming Point Park University students is that internships are very helpful. Each internship I landed helped me then gain the next internship, which then helped me land the job I currently have today. It is important to take advantage of every opportunity that you receive because you never know how it could benefit you in the future.
What are your career goals and how has Point Park University prepared you to reach them?
After I earn my MBA, my goal is to get my CPA license. Also, I would like to work my way up at Federated and eventually become a manager.
The committed accounting faculty at Point Park University really challenged and prepared me for the accounting world. It was also helpful that a lot of the classes I went through used Excel so I already had a jump start in my internships and current position.
The smaller classroom sizes at Point Park were beneficial to me as well and gave me the opportunity to develop better relationships with the faculty. My advisor, Margaret Gilfillan, was very knowledgeable in the accounting field. It was very beneficial to have her in my corner. I also had Instructor Richard Neish for Forensic Accounting and he was a fantastic mentor for me over the past year.
Photo by Tanner Knapp, sophomore animation major