Landing an internship is like unlocking the first (or next!) level in your career journey. It’s your chance to learn new skills, gain new connections with industry pros and get experience that will give you an edge when it’s time to transition into your first full-time role.
But what does it take to get the internship, and how do you shine once you land the role? Here’s what you need to know to get started and start turning your career dreams into a reality, including advice from those who have been in your shoes.
The first step? Find your internship!
It all starts with landing the internship! Whether you’re going for your first or fifth internship experience, the process can seem time-consuming and sometimes a little overwhelming. But don’t panic! Accounting teams and CPA firms are eager to meet new talent, which means your chances are extremely high that you’ll get an opportunity somewhere.
Already have an organization in mind?
Check out their website directly to learn more about their internship opportunities. Some larger firms and companies have specialty internship programs, like EY’s Launch Internship that features special rotations and experiences to immerse yourself in the firm. Others have more traditional internships in specific departments or just general seasonal intern roles.
"Send a connection request to an employee on LinkedIn with a short introduction message sharing your interest in wanting to learn more about their role, their organization and potential internship opportunities."
If you’re passionate about gaining experience somewhere specific, it’s also worth connecting with current employees. Look for opportunities to meet them at career fairs or networking events. Search your school’s alumni database to see if there’s anyone who works there and send them an email. You could also send a connection request to an employee on LinkedIn with a short introduction message sharing your interest in wanting to learn more about their role, their organization and potential internship opportunities.
Check out these tips on connecting via LinkedIn from Accounting+!
Not sure where to start?
Traditional career sites like Indeed and LinkedIn can be a good way to search internship postings. The Accounting+ internship hub includes internship opportunities from across the country. Looking to stay in Indiana? Be sure to download the INCPAS Employer Guide. Updated every fall, it features in-depth profiles of CPA employers across the state, including their services, specialties and background on their culture.
Getting out of your comfort zone to make connections in person can be highly beneficial — especially in a world that leans digital. Go to career fairs and check out networking events through professional organizations like NABA, Inc. and ALPFA, which often have events that welcome students and professionals.
"Getting out of your comfort zone to make connections in person can be highly beneficial — especially in a world that leans digital."
Once you’ve made your connections and polished your resume (be sure to have someone proofread before sending it out!), it’s time to apply and interview. Feeling nervous heading into the interview? You’re not alone. The more prepared you feel, the more likely you are to feel confident heading into the interview.
Trevor White, whose experience includes internships at Forvis Mazars and Zimmer Biomet, a medical device company based in Warsaw, Ind., reminds that pre-interview research is critical.
“Learn their mission and values and why they do what they do. Keep that knowledge in your back pocket during an interview,” he said.
While some companies and firms might have a technical component to their interview, most are just looking to get to know you and your interests. “In my experience, companies are hiring interns based on schooling and personality,” White shared. “They want good people with strong morals, integrity and character more than the student with a perfect GPA.”
Want more insights on how to thrive during your interview? Be sure to read this round-up of interview do’s and don’ts, featuring expert advice from recruiters.
Pro tip: Check out INCPAS events like Meet the Profession: Networking Night.
“I interned at Cummins before my senior year and it all began at an INCPAS event,” said Joseph Donlin, who turned his internship with Cummins into a full-time role as a financial analyst.
Donlin also credits the INCPAS event for helping prepare him to make a good impression. “I was able to use some of the networking tips I had just learned moments prior during the group session, like how to ask good questions, listen attentively, and remain interested rather than solely interesting,” he said.
Check out all of the INCPAS Meet the Profession events, including the next in-person Networking Night on January 23 as well as a virtual series designed to help you succeed in your internship and career path, here.
The second step? Thrive in your internship!
Congratulations! You officially started your internship. Now it’s time to shine. Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your experience and be a standout intern.
"Walking into your internship with intention is critical for a successful and satisfactory experience."
Set goals.
What do you want out of your internship? Walking into your internship with intention is critical for a successful and satisfactory experience. Be sure to head into your new role with at least two to three overarching goals you want to accomplish by the end. Consider creating goals from these different areas:
- Skill-specific: What is a skill you want to gain or improve on during your internship? Examples: Improving verbal communication skills by participating in meetings, mastering a new Excel function, building data analysis skills.
- Experience-specific: What types of experiences will help you grow? Examples: Giving a presentation to gain public speaking experience, writing client-facing communications to get professional communications experience, participating in day-to-day planning tasks to add to your project management experience.
- Relationship-specific: How do you want to build your network? Examples: Have lunch with five different people on the team to connect and learn more about their roles, attend three company events to meet more people at the organization, identify and meet with a potential mentor
Be sure to write down your goals and keep them somewhere where they can easily stay top of mind throughout your internship. In addition, make sure to schedule some check-ins throughout to assess your progress.
Take notes.
Internships can be fast-paced, which means a lot of information and tasks might be thrown at you at once.
“Listen with a purpose and take notes,” shared White, who also shared the reminder that this a good practice no matter what type of internship you have.
Keep a notebook dedicated to your internship, and be sure to jot down directions and processes to serve as a reference when you dive into a task. Your notebook can also be the place to jot down key observations and takeaways. As Donlin shared, internships aren’t just about learning from the tasks or getting a day-to-day representation of the job. He gained “an inside look on how others conduct business, foster healthy relationships and utilize their credentials, like the CPA license.”
Ask questions!
There is power in asking questions, not only to learn but to make sure you complete a task to the best of your ability. Your notebook can be a great place to keep track of questions you have as they arise, but make sure they leave the page.
“I had this unrealistic idea that I had to know what I was doing in my first internship and did not ask nearly enough questions in fear of judgment that I was not completing my work well enough,” said Natalie Saunders, an associate with CBIZ whose internship experience included tax internships at both a CPA firm and a steel manufacturer.
In her most recent internship role, she took the initiative to ask more questions, which helped her thrive and earn praise from her colleagues. “In the long run it gave me so much more confidence,” she said.
White also iterates the value of asking questions. “You are not expected to know how to do your job as an intern,” he shared. “Every good company on Earth is aware of that fact.”
Get involved.
Being an intern gives you an opportunity to learn more about the organization’s culture and experience what it’s like to be part of their team. White credits the time he spent getting involved with helping him “thrive and succeed” during his internship experiences.
“Talk to people you don't know, be social and have a great attitude,” he said. Some organizations have more formally organized events, like team lunches or outings, but getting involved can be as simple as being present and engaged. Taking time to talk and show an interest in someone else can make a good impression.
“Send a quick email to a partner or director and ask if they would be willing to meet for a quick coffee or have a chat over Microsoft Teams,” White shared. “Interns are the future of companies, and a good company will want to foster and encourage interns to enjoy their time there.”
Be open.
Internships are all about learning and growing. You might be handed tasks you aren’t expecting. Sometimes you’ll come face-to-face with a huge learning curve. Things can push you outside your comfort zone, but as the saying goes, this is where the magic happens. Embrace it. Screwing up might be part of the process, and it’s normal!
“The challenges that you face may be uncomfortable for a moment, but can lead to growth for a lifetime,” Donlin reminds.
Next Steps in Your Internship Journey