When senior Accounting major Cornelius Robinson first started attending Harris-Stowe State University, he had no idea of how or where he would fit in. College was overwhelming for him initially and finances to support his goal of graduating were scarce. That was four years ago. Today, Robinson is relishing in the success that he’s had as a student leader and well-sought intern.
Just this month, he started his third internship in the auditing department of KPMG, an audit, tax and advisory firm located in downtown St. Louis.
“KPMG has provided me with real hands-on experience,” said Robinson,” and introduced me to the various functions of auditing in a professional setting. I love it simply because it allows me to engage real clients. It’s the real deal at a major corporation.”
Last summer, Robinson interned on Wall Street in New York in the area of investment banking and also worked at the Progressive Insurance headquarters in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, in corporate tax. Set to graduate in May 2012, Robinson holds a 3.3 GPA and is eager to start his accounting career upon completing his studies at Harris-Stowe’s Anheuser-Busch School of Business.
“I’ve been equipped with the necessities to be successful in corporate America,” he said. “Not just academically, but socially as well. I feel that I can communicate with top business leaders and represent their companies in a positive way. I can say that my experience studying Business at Harris-Stowe has been very well-rounded, and I feel comfortable applying my skills and knowledge to real-world business situations.”
And Robinson isn’t just excelling academically. His collegiate extracurricular involvement is just as extensive as his professional achievements as a student. He serves as a residential assistant in Gillespie Residence Hall; the regional undergraduate president for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; president of the HSSU Student Government Association; vice president of the Collegiate 100; Thurgood Marshall Distinguished Scholar and is a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business.