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When is the best time to start looking for internship and where do you look?

Incoming freshman and studying accounting/finance; where can I look for internship opportunities and when is the best time to start?

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D.J.’s Answer

As a freshman embarking on your journey in accounting/finance, here are some empowering tips:

The best time to start: It's fantastic that you're already planning ahead! While a considerable number of internships are tailored for juniors and seniors, there's no shortage of opportunities for freshmen and sophomores too. It's advisable to kick-start your search during your first semester.

Where to scout for internships:
a. Your university's career hub: They usually have established relationships with local enterprises and alumni.

b. Professional bodies: Entities like the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) or the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) frequently feature job boards or internship postings.

c. Government portals: For instance, USAJobs.gov showcases federal internships, including those in accounting and finance.

d. Corporate websites: Numerous sizable accounting firms and financial institutions offer internship schemes for students at different stages.

e. LinkedIn: Establish a profile and hunt for internship prospects.

f. Networking gatherings: Participate in career expos and networking events arranged by your institution or local professional groups.

Start preparing early: Even if you don't secure an internship immediately, utilize your freshman year to:

Enlist in pertinent student associations
Uphold a robust GPA
Enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile. Refine relevant abilities (e.g., Excel, financial software)

Consider job shadowing opportunities or part-time roles in related sectors to acquire experience.

Don't lose heart if you don't secure an internship right off the bat. Many students don't intern until later in their academic journey.

Bear in mind, internships are beneficial, but they're not the sole means to gain experience. Voluntary work, relevant studies, and participation in student associations can also contribute to honing your skills and building your resume.
Thank you comment icon Thought that D.J. provided a great and comprehensive response. One other idea is if you already have a part time job, consider speaking with your management to determine whether there are opportunities to expand your role. For example, if you work at a restaurant, and are interested in supply-chain, perhaps there is an opportunity to support your company with how they source food or other supplies. Greg Richmond
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Shirley’s Answer

Hi Kacey,

It's recommended to start looking for internships as soon as possible. You can start with your college's resources such as the career management center. You can also ask around local CPA firms if they're looking for interns. Nonetheless, the career management center should be able to help you polish your resume.
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Robert’s Answer

I don't have much experience in the finance/accounting field outside of some accounts payable/receivable work and low levels of bookkeeping that I learned hands on at my current company.

That said, it is never too early to look for internships in college. It'll only serve to help you along the path you're on.

Your school likely has a job board with companies it affiliates itself with and more that you can start trying to align your goals with. There will be older students and possibly even more experienced classmates that you could end up in competition with, but don't let that deter you. Apply to everything you can, trust your work ethic, and generate a portfolio or some sort of tangible proof that you are developing skills in your field.

Try to learn a skill(s) that complement what you're learning in your classes and put it to use so the aforementioned portfolio has some substance to it. Seek the guidance of your counselors, peers in your major, professors in your major. If you can become a TA for one of your professors that would help you in the application process I bet.

Stay grinding!
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Michael’s Answer

As an incoming freshman studying accounting/finance, it's great that you're thinking ahead about internships! The best time to start looking is typically in the fall or early spring of your sophomore year. Here are a few places to look for opportunities:

1. University Career Center: They often have listings and can help with resume reviews and interview prep.
2. Online Job Boards: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor frequently post internship opportunities.
3. Networking: Attend career fairs, join student organizations, and connect with alumni in your field.
4. Company Websites: Many firms post internship openings on their career pages.
5. Professional Associations: Organizations like the AICPA (American Institute of CPAs) often have job boards and resources for students.

Starting early gives you a better chance to secure a good position, so begin your search in the fall and apply by early spring. Good luck!
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Eugene’s Answer

Hi Kacey,

There are great suggestions from others here! Given you're a Freshman, I'd say you're off to a great start! I would start with where you feel like your career might take you (I see that you tagged Finance / Accounting), but also use an internship as an opportunity to explore both the Company that you might want to land with as well as experiment with other career areas (maybe your second / third choice). You might actually find yourself having a passion for a different field! The early internships are more for general experience and great resume boosters. I would say for your Junior, especially Senior year, you may want to be more focused in your approach. Some companies have conversions where an internship may lead to a full time role after graduating. Some companies offer "leadership programs" that get you on an accelerated career path as well.

Thanks!
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Danielle’s Answer

Hi Kacey! It is never to early to start looking for an internship! I started looking for internships in public accounting when I was a sophomore in college and secured an internship during my third year of college. I found that a helpful way to find internship opportunities was by attending networking events hosted by my school as well as searching online for companies that I was interested in. Networking is so valuable when it comes to internships and your future career. I wish you the best of luck!
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Alexander’s Answer

Never too early to start! Some larger organizations may only recruit at the junior level however a good source is your school's career center. They should have a list of opportunities may of which are at smaller firms and/or sponsored by alumni or other school affiliated organizations. The goal is to try and be productive over the summer and pick up some real world job experience. Hope that helps.
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Josh’s Answer

The simple answer is that it never hurts to start looking for internship experience as early as possible. Many employers may not be hiring anyone before the end of their junior year, but at the very least you can make some good contacts for down the road or even get in the door early to get a leg up on everyone you will be competing for jobs with post-graduation.
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Adam’s Answer

Use your school's career program/office as much as possible. For some colleges, certain department like school of engineering has its own career office that can help students find internships related to their areas of study. Also, don't forget career fairs. That is a good place to talk to a lot of companies and narrow down your interests and look for good opportunities! In preparation for these conversations, create a good resume and prepare some talks about yourself, your interests and career aspiration might be very handy.
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Aaron’s Answer

The 'Big 4' public accounting firms usually provide internships for students between their junior and senior years. However, recruiting for these opportunities begins early in your junior year. These firms also have other unique programs that you can explore even earlier. I strongly encourage you to participate in recruitment events at the earliest opportunity. This will help you to begin building connections with the recruiters, which can be very beneficial for landing that perfect internship!
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Lindsey’s Answer

The sooner the better! Personally, I regretted waiting to get an internship right up until graduation. Because I did an internship and quickly realized I didn't want to do that when I graduated (yet I was already done with the degree so I felt stuck). Try out different things during school so you can get a better feel of what you like and don't like.
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Dev’s Answer

Hi Kacey!

You should start your search for an internship as soon as possible!
Applying early and with a good quality resume can help your chance of getting an interview and succeeding in the hiring process.
I also recommend going to your university's career center to have your resume reviewed and practice your interviewing skills.
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Luke’s Answer

Getting as much experience as early as you can will help you figure out what sorts of career paths are appealing to you, and which you may not like as much, so the sooner the better to start looking for internship opportunities. The first step I would take is to talk to professors or your school's career center as they could point you in the right direction and have connections that could help you get interviews. Keep an open mind and be willing to pivot if you find a career path that you like.
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