Education at Work, a nationwide nonprofit workplace learning organization, in partnership with Intuit Inc., the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks and Mailchimp, has announced a new pilot program designed to help college students gain valuable industry experience in tax, accounting and financial services while earning money to offset their college expenses.

The first phase of the program will launch in the fall 2024 semester and will include up to 60 Arizona State University students working in flexible part-time jobs in Intuit’s TurboTax business while earning up to $5,250 in tuition assistance. Depending on their work performance, students will have the opportunity to transition into roles in Intuit’s Expert Network, which connects tax experts with consumers and small businesses.

“There is a critical shortage of certified tax and accounting professionals in the industry, and this new program helps us strengthen our talent pool by making careers in tax and accounting accessible and attractive to a diverse group of students,” said David Graham, senior vice president of the Intuit Expert Network, a community of thousands of tax, accounting and financial professionals who support Intuit clients.

Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that a growing economy and an increasingly complex tax and regulatory environment will create strong demand for tax and accounting professionals, including tax preparers. With more experienced professionals retiring and few young people entering the profession, there is high demand for accountants, tax preparers and consultants at the beginning of their careers. In addition, the accountant position is the second most advertised job on Handshake, the entry-level recruiting platform that specializes in job placement for college students.

“For too many college students, work is a burden rather than an asset. We are changing this outdated model by providing students with career opportunities that are not only financially lucrative but also professionally meaningful,” said Jane Swift, president of Education at Work, who rose to the governorship of Massachusetts and was a college student who received Pell Grants, state and federal financial aid, and worked during her four years of college. “Our goal is to help companies like Intuit meet critical business needs by building a talent pool that will take them from college to the workforce, while also helping them gain the real-world experience and professional networks they need to succeed in the job market.”

This program builds on more than a decade of Education at Work’s campus-based partnerships with public universities, including Arizona State University and the University of Texas at El Paso. Since its inception in 2012, Education at Work has paid over $107 million in wages and tuition assistance to nearly 8,000 students nationwide. Participating students are 25% more likely to graduate and have 40% less student debt than their peers. 75% of participating students identify as students of color and 50% are first-generation college graduates.

Students can apply for positions at Education at Work and Intuit at eaw.org/students/.