26 Jul Get to Know Our 2026 Summer Interns: Spencer and Mazi
An internship is an opportunity to learn how the work gets done, but it is also a chance to ask questions, explore different career paths, build relationships, and begin discovering where you feel most at home.
This summer, Spencer Staszak and Chinedu “Mazi” Mazi are doing just that at Blackman & Sloop. Through rotations in Client Accounting and Advisory Services, Tax, and Audit, they are gaining hands-on experience while learning from team members across the firm.
We recently caught up with Spencer and Mazi to learn more about what led them to accounting, what they hope to take away from their internships, and what they enjoy when they are not in the classroom or the office.
Meet Spencer
Spencer is studying accounting through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s fully online program. Before transferring to UNCG, he attended a local community college and began applying for accounting positions as graduation approached.
That experience showed him how valuable a bachelor’s degree and practical experience could be when beginning a career in the profession.
“When I got to UNCG, they placed a heavy emphasis on completing internships before graduation,” Spencer shared. “It helps create a good foundation for your first year in the field.”
Blackman & Sloop’s rotational internship was especially appealing because Spencer had not yet decided which area of accounting he wanted to pursue. The opportunity to spend time in CAAS, Tax, and Audit meant he would not have to choose a path before seeing what each service line was really like.
“I was uncertain about which service line I wanted to focus on,” he said. “The rotation gave me the chance to experience each one and make a more informed decision.”
Spencer is especially looking forward to learning more about business tax returns and the audit cycle. Since he has not yet taken an audit class, the internship is giving him an early introduction to an entirely new area of the profession.
While there has already been plenty to learn, it is the culture of the firm that has made one of the strongest impressions.
“Blackman & Sloop is a very flexible environment that values its people,” Spencer said. “There is an emphasis on relationships and having fun.”
After graduation, Spencer’s goals are refreshingly straightforward: begin his career, pass the CPA Exam, and do good work.
Outside of school and work, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée and family. He also plays ice hockey and recently started bowling.
Meet Mazi
Mazi is an accounting major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and expects to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in December 2027.
For him, pursuing an internship felt like the natural next step in his education, but it was also an important opportunity to see how accounting works beyond the classroom.
“The work you do in school only shows a fraction of what is actually done,” Mazi explained. “I wanted to see it for myself and make sure this is a career I actually want to be in.”
Mazi was already familiar with Blackman & Sloop before his first day. After attending the firm’s summer leadership conference previously, he had the chance to meet members of the team and get a sense of the culture.
That familiarity helped make the transition into the internship feel more comfortable.
“I already felt familiar with the firm and its people,” he said. “It took away some of the fear of wondering whether I would like the atmosphere.”
Like Spencer, Mazi was also drawn to the rotational structure of the internship. Since he is still deciding which service line may be the right long-term fit, he appreciated the chance to experience all three.
“I did not want an internship where I only worked in one area and later found out it was not for me,” he shared.
During the summer, Mazi is looking forward to learning how each service line operates, what the day-to-day work involves, and how what he sees in practice compares with what he has learned in school.
One of his first takeaways was realizing just how much there is still to discover.
“I expected my course knowledge to carry me through the internship a little more, but it is really just the foundation,” he said.
Fortunately, he has found a team that is always willing to help.
“Everyone is easygoing, always joking around, and willing to go out of their way to teach me something.”
Mazi’s career plans will depend partly on which service line he ultimately chooses. If he pursues tax, he may work toward becoming an Enrolled Agent. If he finds his fit in CAAS or audit, he is considering a Master of Accounting program or preparing independently for the CPA Exam.
Outside of work and school, Mazi enjoys playing soccer and tennis, spending time with friends, and being outdoors. He currently plays in several recreational leagues and joins pickup games whenever he can.
Learning, Growing, and Finding the Right Fit
Spencer and Mazi came to Blackman & Sloop with different experiences and possibilities in mind, but they share the same curiosity, humor, and willingness to learn.
Their internships are giving them the chance to build new skills, explore the many paths available within accounting, and learn more about the kind of work and workplace they hope to find after graduation.
We are glad to have Spencer and Mazi on board and look forward to seeing where their future careers will take them!