College sophomore in need of career advice

Hello all, I am currently an accounting major trying to get summer internships in the finance/accounting business. Since I go to a very non-targeted school (SUNY New Paltz), I expect to have a harder time than someone from a target school in terms of working in this business. I have no accounting experience, but I think my resume looks good for someone looking for their first internship.

As for the internships, I have applied to 2 of the big 4, as well as some smaller businesses, but I have gotten no responses.

What am I doing wrong, what should I do to better my chances, and do you guys have any general advice?

Thank you for reading!

2 Comments
 
Best Response

The Big 4 typically only hires rising college seniors for summer internships. I went to a school with fewer than 1,000 students and had zero contact with any Big 4 firms and landed not only a job, but they gave me a fellowship that paid for my entire graduate program.

It can be done, but not as a sophomore.

Most summer internships are filled during the fall and spring recruiting process. You'll want to talk to someone in your admissions office or your accounting advisor about how to get invited to a larger school's "meet the firms" event next fall.

As for this summer you might want to get in touch with a local CPA and see if they have any openings (this will most likely be low paying.)

Good luck!

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