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CBA Senior Combines Interest in Business and Service
According to CBA senior Erin Scheihing, her interest in service began around the age of three. She attributes her desire to serve others to watching Sesame Street.
It was while watching Sesame Street that Scheihing became interested in sign language. Now, nearly twenty years later, she is poised to graduate from Pitt having nearly completed a BSBA degree in accounting, the Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics (CPLE), and a certificate in American Sign Language Studies.
Positive Parental Influence
When discussing her service philosophy, Scheihing cites the influence of her parents—her mother, a special education teacher, and her father, a newspaper editor. She describes her mother as being especially motivated by the idea of helping people, and her father as someone who seeks the truth, evidenced by his work in the newspaper business. At some level, Scheihing says, she takes after both her parents. Her interest in accounting and auditing in particular, involves ensuring truth in financial and operational data, something her father would appreciate. Her interest in nonprofit organizations ties into the service philosophy instilled in her by her mother.
Gaining Experience
As a CBA student, Scheihing has been able to blend her business and service interests in a variety of ways. She has particularly enjoyed participating in the CPLE in the David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership, where students learn how to become ethical leaders. She has valued being part of the program’s close-knit community and interacting with other student leaders. “We all have strong voices, so we’re essentially learning how to lead within a group of leaders,” explains Scheihing.
As a junior, Scheihing completed an internship with the Coro Center for Civic Leadership, where she was able to observe and contribute to the activities of a nonprofit organization. In her current internship with the University's Internal Audit Department, she has been able to learn extensively about the mission and complex workings of a large educational institution. Scheihing also holds the position of vice president of community service for Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary society for accounting, finance, and management of information systems.
Recipe for Success
Scheihing has the distinction of being set to graduate from CBA with over 160 credits completed in four years time. She’s done this largely out of necessity, given her combination of programs; the American Sign Language Studies certificate requires a particularly large number of credits to complete. To achieve this, she has regularly taken heavy credit loads, with her record being 21 credit hours in one semester. When asked how she has been able to manage such heavy course loads so successfully, Scheihing pulls out her "spreadsheet" for the semester. The spreadsheet, more than five pages in length, details every assignment with corresponding deadlines for all of her courses. “It takes a lot of planning and scheduling, and a lot of discipline. Ultimately, I have chosen to complete the programs in addition to my major that require additional credits. My parents always stressed that it is important to love what you do, and because I love what I do, I am willing to work hard to do it.”
Future Plans
After graduation, Scheihing will begin her career in public accounting with Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. She plans to sit for the CPA exam this summer. In the long run, after gaining experience, she imagines herself moving into a nonprofit organization in any of a variety of areas. She also plans to become involved in her community and to earn certification as a sign language interpreter.
While at Pitt, Scheihing has appreciated having the opportunity to gain experience toward her goals. “I came to school with a strong foundation in the importance of service and the giving of oneself," she says. "I am leaving with knowledge and skills that will not only allow me to succeed in my career, but also to offer more in service to others. CBA has opened countless doors to me in the varied programs and opportunities it has provided. I likewise owe considerable credit to my parents for their support and guidance in all that I have done. I am excited to graduate and begin my career; and I feel very prepared to do so.”