I wanted to post this forum to modify some changes that KPMG has made to their process in interviewing for this program. In the past, they interviewed you solely for this program and then while in the program they interviewed you for an internship position. This has changed, in my local area at least. Now, they interview you twice and if you are accepted to the discover program then you automatically get the internship position. What I mean by interviewing twice is literally how you are reading it, you will be interviewed by two individuals from the firm the same day.
I applied through my career services, got a call next week that the firm accepted my application and scheduled an on campus interview for the following week. The recruiter from told me that I will be interviewed twice and if I’m accepted I won’t have to interview for the internship since it would already be done, this way interns can focus on the discover program and not feeling stressed for the interview during the program. So, thanks to God I got a call 10 days after my interview and got accepted to the both the program and an intership position. I would highly recommend to apply through your career services as they have strong ties with firms.
Also, for many out there who need some encouragement I want to tell you my case. Before applying to KPMG discover I was interviewed by 4 private. I got rejected in the initial interviews. KPMG was a far more prestigious firm then these four, accounting wise, but I got in and I want to explain why. My school is not a target school for big4 firms and so the only thing I believe made me stand out from my peers is my experience. In my job I held a leadership position and I had a two month internship at a small tax agency (non paid). I went to the tax agency and offered them to work for free for expericence so I recommend even if you don’t have an internship to go to local firms and ask to work even if it’s for free. Also, and this one is important, be presentable to the firm…but this only applies if you get an interview with the firm. When I went to the interview, there was 8 other people. One of these individuals was the president of the accounting society and another was the VP, and I was just a regular member in the society. I got in, but they didn’t. Being presentable is a key, you already got the interview because of your skills on your resume, now you have to show them through your character. Trust me they watch every single movement you do to see if you are what you say. People should not feel discouraged but sell yourself to them and be bold. They asked me in the interview why am I a better candidate then everyone else? I answered this question boldly and with conviction and they tend to like people like this since they will represent the firm.
If you want to know my stats in school, Im a rising senior, have a 3.8 gpa, full time job and student, only one extra curricular activity (accounting society) regular member. Thanks for reading and let me know if you got into 2016 KPMG discover also!