Accounting Academic Internships

1. Accounting Academic Internships School of Accountancy

2. What’s The Value of An Internship? • Real-world work experience and a chance to get your feet wet • An opportunity to evaluate certain career paths and organizations • An opportunity to showcase your skills and talents • Often an opportunity to be an “early candidate” for full-time position • Enhances your self-confidence in the accounting world!

3. What Is An Internship Today? • KPMG says, “An internship is a perfect opportunity for you to gain valuable experience that can make you more marketable to employers.” • International Paper states, “Students gain valuable work experience and insight into their career path while earning a competitive salary.”

4. What Is An Internship Today? • According to Ernst & Young, “As an intern, you’ll be part of a global organization, working alongside committed professionals as you develop the skills you’ll need to succeed.”

5. Take an Extra Step • Join professional organizations in the accounting field like Beta Alpha Psi or NABA • According to their website, “Beta Alpha Psi is recognized and respected by the business community as a premier collegiate organization.”

6. Take an Extra Step • According to their website,“NABA addresses the professional needs of its members and builds leaders that shape the future of the accounting profession.” • These organizations can make you resume stand out. • Most recruiters look for participation in professional organizations

7. How to Begin the Process • Get your resume critiqued through your faculty advisor or Career Services. Use Optimal Resume from your home and get your resume critiqued • http://www.memphis.edu/careerservices/ • Plan your schedule when it works best for you. Fall, spring, or summer?

8. How to Begin the Process • Remember contacts you have made. Decide what area interests you. • Search eRecruiting. • http://memphis.experience.com/ • Allow time to interview and evaluate opportunities—planning ahead usually provides more options.

9. Know the Company You Want to Intern For • Study their organization—before your interview • Review the business journals about their role in the industry • Businessweek • Wall Street Journal • Forbes

10. Know the Company You Want to Intern For • Go to the company’s website • Sign up for email alerts • Learn their competitors • Become knowledgeable of their products or services

11. Get Ready For The Interview • Develop interview questions for the interview • Practice your interview with a professor or go to career services • Think through potentially challenging questions • Develop a list of questions that you have for your interviewer

12. Interviewing Do’s • Do practice interviewing before the actual interview. Enlist a friend for help. • Do dress appropriately and bring extra copies of your resume. • Do arrive early. Preferably 10 to 15 minutes prior to the interview start time, but no more than 15 minutes early. • Do greet the interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name. • Do make eye contact and shake hands firmly.  • Do be aware of body language. Maintain good posture and look enthusiastic.

13. Interviewing Do’s • Do honestly give qualitative answers and emphasize your strengths. • Do ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. • Do ask questions. This will display your interest in the position. • Do close the interview positively. Don't forget to let him or her know that you look forward to hearing from the company soon. • Do get business cards from each person you interviewed with and write a thank-you letter promptly.

14. Interviewing Don’ts • Don't be late. • Don't chew gum or smoke during the interview. • Don't wear heavy perfume or cologne or dress casual. • Don't have a limp or clammy handshake. • Don't be soft-spoken. Confidence is key. • Don't answer questions with a "yes" or "no." Give examples. • Don't rely only on your resume or cover letter to do the selling for you.

15. Interviewing Don’ts • Don't answer your cell phone. Turn it off. • Don't make negative comments about former positions. • Don't interrupt the interviewer. • Don't be discouraged if no definite offer is made at the end of the interview. • Don't tell jokes or bring up personal issues during the interview.

16. You Have the Internship. Now What….. • To get academic credit, you must register for the course and complete the application required by FCBE online. Your professor will determine your requirements for academic credit. • All you need to know is online • http://www.memphis.edu/fcbeinternships/index.php

17. You Have the Internship. Now What….. • Make an appointment with Whitney Brown and bring her you application and offer letter • She will check to make sure that you meet the requirements for getting credit for an academic internship

18. What are the Qualifications? • Junior status (60 hours) • 2.75 cumulative GPA • 15 hours of upper division core coursework

19. The Next Step • Once you meet the qualifications, take your application and offer letter to Dr. Callahan • She will approve your internship • Lastly, take your application back to Whitney Brown to obtain your course permit

20. Why Get Academic Credit For Your Internship? • Faculty guidance and support • Your internship is documented on your transcript • You can get accounting elective credit • Additional internships can be taken as electives through the University College • Your internship substitutes for a class and provides career value

21. Once You Are Hired • Treat your academic internship like a job • Be respectful and abide by company policies • Remember: an internship is looked at as an extended job interview

22. Have Questions? Who Do You Contact? • Kathy Tuberville Office of Academic Internships K.Tuberville@memphis.edu 678-3105 • Whitney A. Brown Associate Director of Internships, Recruitment, and Scholarships wabrown1@memphis.edu 901-678-3905