Source: Joseph Ugrin, 785-532-6184, jugrin@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Olivia Blanco, oblanco@k-state.edu

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

GARDEN CITY SENIOR, MCNAIR SCHOLAR MAKES RESEARCH COUNT WITH PAPER PRESENTATION TO ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATION

MANHATTAN -- Research on the career of accounting has given a Kansas State University College of Business Administration student a special opportunity.

Heber Garcia, senior in accounting, Garden City, presented a research paper about recruitment for accounting careers at the recent American Accounting Association Southwest Region Meeting in Houston.

Garcia has been working with K-State's Joseph Ugrin, assistant professor of accounting, on this research as part of Garcia's responsibilities as a McNair Scholar. Specifically, Garcia and Ugrin researched the impact of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' "Start Here, Go Places" promotional campaign on the general perception of accounting as a career.

"A long line of research shows that the principal reason students don't major in accounting is a general perception that the work is dull, repetitive and boring," Garcia said.

Garcia and Ugrin found that the campaign, which showcases different aspects of an accountant's career, had little impact on the perception of accounting as a possible career choice for students. However, the campaign's reach could be improved by adding media-rich elements that would capture the attention of potential accounting students.

The McNair Scholars Program prepares undergraduate students for successful careers as graduate students, professors and professional researchers. McNair Scholars at K-State are from socioeconomic groups that are underrepresented in graduate programs and college faculties.

Garcia has been accepted into the master of accountancy program at K-State.