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School of Business Spotlight: Maria Campos '26
July 28, 2026
For Maria Campos, earning a degree was only part of the equation. A recent accounting graduate, she paired her classroom learning with campus leadership roles, professional involvement, and internships that helped her stand out to future employers. Maria shares how those experiences added up to multiple job offers before graduation and a strong foundation for her career in accounting.
What drew you to accounting?
It’s the foundation of all economic systems. Accounting is everywhere and understanding how things work provides leverage in a career. Financial literacy is especially important for people like me who weren’t raised in this country because it helps us understand how financial institutions work.
What brought you to Lehman?
The commute was the first thing, and affordability was the second. But then I realized that people like me could really thrive here. We could be seen because the program is small. Students want to see their peers thrive. It’s a family of people helping each other, and that builds confidence.
How were you involved outside the classroom?
I served as vice president of the Financial Learning Group and was a member of ALPHA [Association of Latinos Professionals for America], NABA [National Association of Black Accountants], and Women in Finance. At first, I wanted to go to every meeting—to get to know people and learn.
How did you benefit from participating?
When I attended the ALPHA convention, I was offered a lot of opportunities. Students mistake having a degree for making it, but that’s not true. Do you know how to network? Can you communicate your ideas effectively? Can you collaborate with other people? I wanted to develop those skills, and I did. Through my tax internships, I received three full-time job offers before I graduated.
Which experiences were most meaningful?
The Financial Learning Group was my baby. I worked hard and struggled while learning how to lead and communicate with people. I also took a course that included volunteering as a tax preparer. That gave me a better sense of accounting, which was invaluable. I’m glad the School of Business works so hard to bring in opportunities like these.
What are your goals, and what advice would you give other business students?
I plan to earn my CPA and will begin working as an auditor for an accounting firm later this fall.
My advice is to be active, be present, and be curious. You may have technical skills, but can you communicate with someone? Can you work with a team? A college degree is important, but it’s not the only thing employers are looking for.