Student Testimonials

Articles:

Here are two testimonials from VITA volunteers who are FGCU accounting students. (They asked to remain anonymous)

VITA Team member 1:
     The United Way VITA Program is one of the best programs available to Accounting/Business students. Not only does it have a top notch training program before you even set foot in a VITA center, everyone involved is dedicated to helping you learn and grow as a volunteer. Those involved in VITA are truly passionate about helping the community and it shows coming week after week with a smile on their face, only ever brighter after helping a member of the community receive a much needed tax refund. Personally, it was such a rewarding experience helping someone that was struggling, believing they would owe on their tax return, and guide them through the process and finding out that they would actually be getting a refund. For some, those refunds are the means to finally getting a car and no longer have to walk to work increasing the time they have with family. Getting to learn so much from such talented people while also bringing joy into someone's life was one of the most worthwhile experiences one could have.
     On top of such a rewarding experience during the VITA program, it also helped when I was applying to paid internships/job opportunities. Nearly every recruiter I spoke with mentioned how great it was that I had VITA experience on my resume and helped me land my current position in the tax field.
     United Way VITA program is among the top programs available to students, it exposed me to proper individual tax return preparation that will stick with me for a lifetime. I highly recommend any student to take advantage of this program, especially if they need to fulfill their service learning hours.
VITA Team member 2:
     As far as going through the degree process and securing employment in the future, volunteering with the VITA program is a great way for accounting majors—especially students lacking prior real world accounting experience—to gain some real experience before having to go through nerve-wracking interview processes. Students are able to receive training and complete real-life personal income tax returns, likely even before taking their first tax course. Another benefit is the face-to-face interaction with clients, whether the end result is positive or negative(whether or not they receive a return). My VITA experience stood out to firms and they asked me further questions about it, given the fact that I did not have much experience with an actual accounting firm.
     What may not necessarily directly translate to a degree is the opportunity to serve others, while easing the stress that a client usually feels when the time comes around to pay Uncle Sam. The VITA program provides an avenue to show kindness and compassion in a world where it may not be emphasized as much.
     Volunteering with the VITA program is a great way to serve the community and I would recommend the program to anyone(whether volunteer or client within the income threshold).
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On a side note, I spoke with a gentleman from one of the accounting firms and he said everyone they had hired in the past few years were VITA volunteers.