HCC accounting student embodies spirit of volunteerism

Aug 3, 2017

Houston Community College (HCC) alumna Thao Nguyen has a passion for accounting, volunteering and community. She found a way to integrate all three while she studied accounting at HCC Southwest College and it has led to her success.

“I came to the United States from Vietnam and took English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at HCC,” Nguyen says. “After ESL, I enrolled in the HCC Accounting program and learned about volunteering with Beyond Careers. They have made it possible for me to apply what I’ve learned from my HCC classes and excel in my chosen field.”

Now an HCC Associate of Accounting graduate, Nguyen still manages to make time to volunteer with Beyond Careers, a community-based organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service. Founded in 2003, Beyond Careers now partners with HCC to offer free tax preparation services to the low income, elderly, disabled, Native American, non-English speaking and rural populations.

The partnership is a win-win for HCC because Beyond Careers recruits HCC accounting students to become IRS-Certified tax preparers and serve their constituents. For example, during the peak 2017 tax season, Nguyen used her volunteer hours to help community members complete their tax forms. She gives the partnership a stamp of approval as well.

“I quickly discovered by volunteering I could gain valuable work-related experience in tax preparation as well as sharpen my English and my people skills, all while giving back to the community,” Nguyen says. “It’s a great feeling to know you’re helping others and furthering your education as well.”

Since graduating from HCC, Nguyen successfully completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at Prairie View A&M University. She is on track to graduate with her Prairie View A&M Master’s Degree in Accounting in 2018. 

For information about the HCC Accounting program, visit: hccs.edu/programs/accounting.