Get Your Foot in the Door with a Student Internship

Get Your Foot in the Door with a Student Internship

Are you an accounting major? Then you have probably lined up your internship for this summer, or you're currently looking for an internship. What do you mean you haven't even thought about it? Student internships are an easy way to get your foot in the proverbial door.

Internships and cooperative education programs enable you to better integrate academic knowledge with practical applications (i.e., put to use everything you've learned in school).

Student internships can enhance your educational experience by making subsequent study more meaningful (i.e., the classes you take next semester will make more sense).

In addition, exposure to an accounting practice and the business environment can help you develop professionally before entering the workforce (i.e., teach you how to act in the workplace).

In many cases, internships will lead to a permanent job offer after graduation (i.e., a job, a real job -- paid and everything!).

"I think it's a tremendous opportunity," Carl A. Wirtz, Director of Recruiting at the Cleveland office of Hausser & Taylor CPAs said. "The students get exposure to the professionals in the industry and a good feel for what it's like to work in an accounting firm. And for those who intern during the winter, they get valuable insight into busy season."

Kris Hostetter, CPA, of Groner, Boyle & Quillin, LLP in Columbus, had an internship while she was in college and found that it was an invaluable experience in more ways than one. "Just in terms of the knowledge I gained, it was valuable. My internship also lead to a full-time job after graduation."

"I encourage all of the students I come in contact with to take an internship," Wirtz said. "It is a great opportunity -- meet some people, make future contacts and get some practical experience."

Now it is true that not all internships are paid, but many are. To get started on your search for an internship, The Ohio Society of CPAs offers you -- at no charge -- Career Opportunities in Accounting: A Guide to Accounting Career Opportunities with Ohio's Local and Regional CPA Firms. The Guide provides a listing of more than 50 firms that have growth potential and internship opportunities.

Both Hostetter and Wirtz noted that they receive resumes and it is a good idea to get your resume out there and into the hands of decision-makers. Don't wait for opportunity to come knock at your door -- get out there and pound the pavement.

Remember -- It helps so much to have a little real world experience before you step into your first job.

Reprinted with permission of The Ohio Society of CPAs.