The Importance of an Internship and My Experience Thus Far

Going through the internship searching process, I knew that I wanted to go into it with an open mind and leave my options open. 

I knew I wanted to complete an internship over the summer and maximize my experience in a firm.  When I first signed up for the internship fair at my school, I had great responses from firms that wanted an interview with me.  Completing those interviews taught me a lot about the different firms and allowed me to connect to people who were in the profession of accounting.  I was able to ask questions and get a feel of how my internship experience would be.  As time passed and I was offered an internship with Schneider Downs, I knew it was the one I wanted.  The people of the firm seemed so personable and willing to answer questions, address my concerns and were able to point me in a direction to jumpstart my career in accounting. 

Now that I am about halfway through my internship with Schneider Downs, I am very happy to say that I have learned so much these past couple of weeks.  Even though we are virtual, the firm has provided us with great technology and access to many people that have reached out as resources to us.  Anytime I have reached out, I get a response in a timely fashion and my seniors/staff are always willing to answer questions. 

I think completing an internship is very beneficial to young professionals like myself.  This is the first time for many of us to experience the field of accounting in the real world and allow us to get a good feel of how our futures may look.  I find it very beneficial to get experience before I graduate so I can find my career path and have some knowledge when accepting my first job.  I find sitting through audit rooms and meetings to be the most beneficial.  It is a good time to ask questions or just listen and take in everyone working.  One takeaway I have experienced is the willingness to help others at the firm.  As an intern completing tasks for the first time, I have asked a lot of questions to my seniors and staff, and they all are more than willing to help me out and explain the reasoning behind the tasks I complete.  I find this very helpful in my learning and have enjoyed my time working with my teams and for the firm!