Justin M. Findlay
...an on-campus resident of SVSU’s The Village town homes, is completing an accounting degree while he works as an intern at the accounting firm of Weinlander Fitzhugh in Bay City.
Justin’s internship at Weinlander Fitzhugh is also allowing him to apply what he has learned in his coursework.
“I’m doing various kinds of tax accounting, such as amendments, corporate tax returns, and individual tax returns, as well as audit work for small townships and counties, and reviewing assorted kinds of financial statements.”
“My internship has taught me that there’s so much more to accounting than the material you learn in class – having ‘people skills’ and knowing how to communicate with others and write well is just as important.”
The internship experience will put him ahead when he returns to classes, because as Justin explains, “I’ll be able to speak from experience. The accounting professors give you all kinds of examples from their own personal experience in the business world, but it’s not the same thing as doing it for yourself.”
“I chose SVSU because of the class size, and knowing that he would not be sitting in a class with 500 other students. The campus is beautiful, and I knew I would not feel like I am no more than a number.”
Justin has lived on campus since freshman year, where he has become an involved member of SVSU’s community.
“There are so many things happening on campus that fit really well with my major,” Justin explained.
For example, Justin was one of the co-chairs of SVSU’s annual “Relay for Life” fundraiser, a 12-hour walk-a-thon that benefits the American Cancer Society. Justin and the event’s co-chair, Jessica Gibson, provided all of the accounting services for the event – they set up a table where they received and counted all of the money raised for the event, ultimately raising over $35,000.
“I prefer to see faces that I recognize when I’m walking across campus. Living on campus makes it so much easier to ask questions about homework of your professors or your peers. When you have to ask questions over the phone, it is much harder.”
“Nearly all of the professors have worked in the field they teach in, so their classes are heavily based on their experiences in the real world. They teach you what to expect as a professional.”
Justin is also active on campus with Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity, where he has volunteered at such organizations as nursing homes or women’s shelters; he is president of Catholics on Campus, a collaboration with the Saginaw Catholic Diocese; and he has served as a Representative on the Student Association for two years. Justin will be starting in the Roberts Fellowship program this year.