School of Accountancy

Accounting Academic Internships

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!

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.”

What Is An Internship Today?

• According to Ernst & Young, “As an intern, you’ll be part of a global organization, working alongside committedprofessionals as you develop the skills you’ll need to succeed.”

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.”

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

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?

How to Begin the Process• Remember contacts you have

made. Decide what area interests you.

• Search eRecruiting.• http://memphis.experience.co

m/• Allow time to interview and

evaluate opportunities—planning ahead usually provides more options.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/fcbeinternshi

ps/index.php

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

What are the Qualifications?

• Junior status (60 hours)

• 2.75 cumulative GPA

• 15 hours of upper division core coursework

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

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

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

Have Questions? Who Do You Contact?

• Kathy Tuberville Office of Academic Internships K.Tuberville@memphis.edu678-3105

• Whitney A. BrownAssociate Director of Internships, Recruitment, and Scholarships

wabrown1@memphis.edu901-678-3905