A corporate site visit to provide Archie W. Dunham College of Business (DCOB) students with a behind-the-scenes look at the ins and outs of business last year, opened the doors to an internship for HCU accounting student Crisol Soto.
For Soto, who is also an HCU Honors College student, the visit to , a professional services firm that provides audit, tax, advisory and consulting services to clients worldwide, was not only eye opening and insightful but led to a real-world opportunity to work at the company鈥檚 Houston office as a tax auditor intern.
鈥淲hen I attended the Forvis corporate site visit last year, the most interesting part was learning about the wide range of industries represented within both accounting and the broader business world,鈥� said Soto.
She also learned about the diversity of businesses, individuals and organizations that Forvis Mazars serves. The experience helped her realize that accounting is about more than numbers, but also about building relationships and using financial insight to support people and organizations in a variety of real-world situations.
Through ingenuity and strategic networking, Soto expanded her connections with company representatives through coffee chats and Zoom conversations, later strengthening those relationships by reconnecting with them at a campus career fair. As a result, she was able to build genuine relationships with the company’s employees who ultimately advocated for her when she applied for an internship.
鈥淚 honestly believe what helped me stand out to executives at Forvis was simply being myself. Instead of trying to fit into what I thought they wanted to see, I focused on showing my genuine personality, work ethic, and interests. I think that authenticity allowed them to see how I would naturally fit within the firm,鈥� shared Soto.
She also made a conscious effort to approach every interaction with a willingness to learn and connected with professionals not just to network, but to truly learn from their experiences and perspectives. She believes that curiosity and openness to growth helped demonstrate the kind of team member she would be.
In a full-circle moment this past February, Soto was able to speak to a new group of HCU business students touring Forvis Mazars and welcomed the opportunity to share her experiences as an intern with the company.
For Soto, interning at Forvis is providing meaningful, hands-on experience in a professional accounting environment and directly supports her goal of becoming a CPA.
鈥淚t is strengthening my technical foundation while also helping me develop the critical thinking, attention to detail, and client-service mindset that are essential for success in public accounting. The experience I am gaining now is preparing me to confidently pursue my CPA and contribute effectively in my future career,鈥� she shared.
The HCU junior is slated to graduate with her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting with a double minor in Spanish and Pre-Law in May 2027. Her advice to fellow students is 鈥渢o be intentional and thoughtful about the people you connect with, the companies you explore, and the conversations you engage in. Networking is not just about exchanging contact information鈥攊t鈥檚 about learning.鈥�
鈥淥ne of the most valuable things you can do as a student is take the time to learn from those who are ahead of you and even from your peers. Ask questions, stay curious, and follow up. The relationships you build can expand your understanding of the business world, expose you to new opportunities and help you grow both personally and professionally,鈥� said Soto.
Soto is heeding her own advice and learning all that she can to position herself for continued success in the future.