Navigating student life in a professional body can be challenging, but Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Societies offer invaluable connections, personal growth and career-boosting opportunities to enhance your training experience, writes Meabh Cahill
Navigating life as a student of a professional body offers great development opportunities, but it can also present challenges others may not fully understand.
The Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Societies (CASSI) provide a platform for students to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences.
Getting involved in these societies, whether on a regional or national level, can significantly enhance your experience during your training contract, offering numerous personal and professional benefits.
Making lasting connections
Joining a regional student society offers the chance to meet new people and build meaningful relationships that will benefit your professional career.
CASSI brings together students from across Ireland, allowing you to bond over shared interests and experiences. The social events, wellness activities and regular gatherings foster a supportive network and instil a strong sense of belonging, which is crucial during study leave.
Participating in these activities offers a welcome escape from the pressures of exams and deadlines, serving as a healthy distraction to help relieve stress and improve mental well-being.
Personal growth
Being part of a student society pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you develop essential skills like public speaking, time management and decision-making.
Taking on responsibilities such as organising an event, cultivating a social media presence, running for leadership positions or managing budgets can boost your self-confidence and prepare you for future academic and professional challenges.
Career booster
Involvement in a student society enhances your CV.
Employers highly value the teamwork, leadership and event planning skills developed through student society participation. These experiences demonstrate your ability to manage responsibilities, collaborate and take initiative, qualities that are highly sought after in the job market.
By collaborating with committees such as ACA Professionals and the Chartered Accountants Ireland Members’ Board, students develop extremely valuable connections and gain interpersonal skills in an era where engagement is increasingly limited due to online learning and hybrid working.
Joining a student society will serve you greatly in your career as those involved in student societies often go on to become leaders in the accountancy profession, in both practice and industry, as well as in district societies and the Members’ Board.
Student community
I would encourage all students to get involved in their regional societies as well as CASSI. Joining a student society offers a broad range of benefits, from improving your social life and confidence to boosting your CV and leadership skills. It’s a great way to manage stress and make a meaningful impact on the student community in Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Meabh Cahill is Chair of CASSI and Tax Associate with Grant Thornton
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