What type of activities and internships should I do in college?

The best thing you can do is build up your resume by getting involved in things that really interest you. Companies like to see that you are involved and take on leadership roles while also maintaining an excellent GPA. I started out in Finance here at Dell and they hire full time positions through their internship program with a few exceptions. So I would suggest that you definitely make sure to apply for internships for the summer going into your Junior and Senior year. This also will help you with getting the hands on experience as well as an understanding of what it would be like to work for that company and pursue a career in finance/accounting.

I encourage you to take intern every summer. Internships are a great facilitator to transition to a permanent job and they will lead you to the sector you would find enjoyable.

I'd suggest joining your school's Beta Alpha Psi or Accounting Society chapters. BAP was certainly what helped me most when I was in college insofar as my accounting career; it helped me understand the major companies, what I should be applying for, and how to develop professionally.

Typically there aren't "internships" with the major accounting firms until you're a junior, but most have other programs available to younger students. Your BAP or Accounting Society chapter(s) would know what is typical in your area and when and how to apply to those opportunities. There may be other accounting or bookkeeping internship opportunities in your area, and to that end you could check with whatever the main resource for internship information is at your college. With any career having work or leadership experience is an asset, so it would also be good to join other clubs that interest you or to have a part time job.

Personally, I was heavily involved in one club as an officer and I was also a member of BAP. Over one summer I did a bookkeeping internship during college, and the next summer a tax internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers where I now work.

Hope this helps!

Joining Fraternity and Sorority Life is a great way to get organizational experience. Other large, active clubs based around sports, music, theatre, journalism, etc. can serve this purpose, too.