Innovating Pathways: A virtual experience for students

Our annual Pathways Summer Leadership (externship) Program provides students a way to explore career opportunities at RSM and get an inside look at what we’re all about. With the health and safety of our people in mind, we transitioned this year’s program into a virtual experience. Brea Fritsche, talent acquisition leader, gives a glimpse into what our 2020 Pathways experience was like in June:

Quarantines don’t stop us—they inspire invention! Earlier this month, we welcomed 1,200 students across the U.S. and Canada to get an inside view of RSM through our virtual Pathways experience. We leveraged technology and innovative ideas to provide an engaging RSM experience for our future professionals, while keeping the health and safety of our people top of mind.

Through a specially designed app, students were able to get a glimpse into life at RSM by:

• Listening to podcasts featuring various leaders and professionals 
• Watching firm videos and participating in live webinars 
• Networking with other students across the U.S. and Canada 
• Connecting with local RSM professionals by participating in virtual coffee chats, lunches and more
• Celebrating diversity and inclusion and discovering how our professionals live out RSM’s value of stewardship
• Explore future career opportunities through interactive digital experiences

Reflective of RSM’s flexible work environment, students were given the flexibility to explore content on their own time and had the ability to choose how they wanted to engage and learn—listening, watching, reading and personal interaction. Our firm leaders were impressed with how proactive our participants were during their experience and were pleased to have more opportunities to engage with students from across the country through the virtual platform.