Internship Tips for Students
Tips for Finding an Internship on Your Own
- Seek help from your friends and family; particularly those who work in accounting or who have good contacts at accounting firms
- Attend the internship fair
- Go to senior day and ask the firms recruiting there how you may proceed to get an internship with them. Ask if they have an internship program. Ask for the name of the person you could contact.
- Consult e-recruiting Web sites. Get a list of firms and contacts to explore if they offer internships.
- Ask the internship coordinator for material regarding accounting careers. See what appeals to you and what types of financial firms offer these career paths. Then look at the local telephone book's yellow pages for particular accounting firms to contact.
- Prepare a letter of introduction indicating your desire for an internship. In it, spell out your qualifications, unique skills, and personal interests. Send it or take it directly to firms.
- Dress up and actually call on firms. Try to get an on-the-spot initial interview with someone that might be helpful to you. Give them your letter of introduction and contact information.
- It will be easiest to find a non-paid internship. While students may appreciate pay, the internship experience may be better if there is no pay. The employer will not be inclined to assign routine and low skill tasks in order to justify the added salary expense.
- It is helpful for students to offer to do special projects. Many companies have a project they need to accomplish but not the time and personnel to do it. Be sure to state your special skills, like computer knowledge.
- Ask your accounting professors if they have any suggestions regarding an internship or any contacts for you to use.
- Do not limit yourself to looking for internships at accounting institutions. Many other types of businesses have accounting applications that would be good as an internship experience.
- Try not-for-profit or volunteer organizations. They may have an accounting application or problem with which you can help.
