Steven DiPardo on Tax Careers, Mentorship, and Giving Back

Mr. DiPardo, now Tax Principal with BDO USA, one of the nation’s leading accounting and advisory firms, regularly returns to campus to attend student networking and recruitment events, such as the University Career Services 2024 Spring Career and Internship Expo.  He often visits these events to recruit and interview job hopefuls, and brings other professionals with him to engage with students as they explore job opportunities.   

“I enjoy my mentorship role. It’s in my nature to help others and to make their path easier,” said Mr. DiPardo, who resides with his wife and three children in Greenlawn, NY.

Mr. DiPardo traces his ease as a mentor and a “go-to person” to his first part-time job when he was 14 years old at a McDonald’s restaurant near his childhood home in Islip Terrace, NY. At age 16, after proving his competency at training new employees and guiding their work shifts, Mr. DiPardo was promoted to manager.

When he was ready for college, Mr. DiPardo chose St. John’s because he did not want to stray too far from home. He discovered his fascination with taxation soon after he began his college career. 

“We are all told there are two certainties in life: death and taxes,” he said. “Taxes are part of real life. Everyone files a tax return and, for many, they’re going to need help doing that.”

These days, Mr. DiPardo helps to guide the leadership of St. John’s Department of Accountancy in various academic and curricular decisions as a member of the department’s Advisory Board. The board is composed of high-profile professionals, including many alumni. 

“It’s exciting to provide insight on how to help St. John’s better prepare students for the real world,” he said. “If people need something to be done, they know I will get it done.”

Asked what advice he would give future Johnnies, Mr. DiPardo said, “Step out of your comfort zone. Do things you might not normally feel comfortable doing. This will show that you’re trying to grow as a person.”