While other college students may have been surfing the halls on the prowl for the latest college parties, I had my eyes set on something else. I wanted to land an internship at a big four accounting firm – and I was going to do whatever it took to get there.
At the tender age of 19, I received a job offer from one of the Big Four Accounting Firms plus a $3,000 cash scholarship and all-expense paid trip to a leadership conference in New York City where I got to stay at the world famous Waldorf Astoria hotel.
Life was good.
While other college students were working minimum wage jobs in retail (Ain’t nothing wrong with that. You have to do what it takes to achieve your goals), I found a way to be one of the youngest future CPAs walking the halls of a reputable company.
How in the world did I make that happen?
Here’s what it takes to land a profitable internship when you’re young, gifted, and determined:
1. Be intentional.
You have to know what you want.
You can’t just move around aimlessly and expect to hit a target. Have a plan for success and you will succeed.
What does a success plan look like when you are in college?
Here’s a list that will guide you in your thoughts:
- What do you want to achieve during your first year of college?
- What classes do you need to take to qualify for internships in your field of study?
- Which professors can offer you letters of recommendations for internship and scholarship opportunities?
- How do you maximize your grades without minimizing your college involvement?
- Who has experience doing what you want to do?
Networking is a necessity in college. So don’t spend all your time with your head down and your eyes crossed from studying an insane amount of hours in the library alone.
You need to connect with people who have already done what you are trying to do. When I wanted to work for PwC, I connected with other people who worked for the company so that I could get more insights into the company culture and eligibility requirements.
2. Join Professional Organizations.
Be a part of organizations that will get you closer to your goal. College campuses supply you with a menu of extracurricular options that can accelerate your career agenda.
I wanted to be an accountant at a top accounting firm so it was a no brainer for me to join the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) DePaul Chapter.
Professional organizations have a direct connection to corporations; many companies sponsor on campus events to gain access to the talented students at the university.
As soon as I became a NABA member, I gained access to an opportunity that regular accounting majors who were freshman had no idea about. The President of NABA gave me the application to the PwC Exceed Scholarship – and that one move changed my tax bracket at 19.
Remember academics don’t always equate to access. It’s who you know. So get in the know and join the professional organizations that will help you to achieve your goals.
3. Exceed expectations.
Understand the type of candidates they are looking for. Then position yourself to be a top candidate. They were looking for someone with a 3.3 higher, community, and leadership. Check, check, check. As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I became a leader in multiple orgs
Plain and simple: if you want to get an internship at a top firm, you have to be a top candidate. Quality attracts quality. So spice up your resume, upgrade your LinkedIn profile, and put on your success attire to attract the internship of your dreams (at any age!).
Stay tuned for the upcoming book!
Questions? Send me an email at charlene@charlenerhinehart.com.
Talk soon!
Bio
After becoming the first Certified Public Accountant to win the title of Ms. Corporate America 2015 in a pageant held in Orlando, Fl, Charlene created the Career Goddess Academy. She shares her money, health, travel, and career advice all over the web as a contributor for the Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, The Path Mag, Women on Business, Ms. Career Girl, and other sites. In 2015, she was recognized as the Illinois CPA Young Professional Leader of the Year.
Charlene now works on the set of the most popular TV shows, including EMPIRE, Chicago PD, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire while she educates those around her about investing and accumulating assets.
Do you need a guest speaker? Contact Charlene at charlene@charlenerhinehart.com or learn more about my financial concierge services at www.charlenerhinehart.com.