<p>Background on myself first: 21 yr old, going into my 4th year (doing 5 years double majoring in accounting & finance for 150 credits) 3.6 GPA, go to a big/fairly well regarded state university, had a 2.5 month long internship in the spring in a major global marketing/PR firm's finance department (particular accounts payable, not the most glorious I know but it was paid and corporate experience. cool company too.) work about 20 hrs/week during the school year, have worked since I was 17, have good experiences with my jobs, good leadership experience to talk about in interviews, somewhat involved in a club/member of a national honor society </p>
<p>A month ago I went to this 3 day networking event with a regional top 25 firm. There were 9 other students from local universities that attended. On the third day we all got an interview for both winter and summer internships. Was feeling like I would have a good chance with the limited competition and the fact they would pick at least a few, but alas I just got a denial letter last week. Thought I made a good impression, did well in the interviews. However, these kids... their credentials were also pretty solid. At least 2 interned with a Big 4 in the spring, pretty sure all of them had an internship, good grades, involved, etc.</p>
<p>I guess this just goes to show competitive accounting has become? I mean I'm fairly optimistic I can at least land another internship before I graduate, but will I even be able to cut it in public accounting? If I couldn't get in with these guys, not sure what my chances would even be with a Big 4 where the competition is even greater.</p>
<p>Big 4 isn’t everything, even if you don’t get hired by one of them I’m sure that with your GPA you will still get offers from some great firms like Grant Thorton etc.</p>
<p>Still being optimistic but I’m pretty salty about this denial. Went into it thinking this is a top 25 firm, in my city, and these little summer programs usually can lead to internships… But nope. </p>
<p>I’m thinking about going into recruiting season telling the Big 4 (all of which recruit at my school) that I’m looking to intern in the spring. Pretty sure they’re easier to get into in the spring as opposed to the summer, right? Then of course ill try other regional firms (though I’m pretty sure some of the big names outside of the Big 4 like GT, BDO, don’t have an office in my city) and probably also some Fortune 500 companies as well. Gotta cast a big net…</p>
<p>Perhaps it may be different by regions, but I haven’t heard of spring internships at Big 4’s. It’s usually restricted to either June or January.</p>
<p>It’s all about getting your foot in the door for an interview. After that, it’s all up to you. I went to a garbage school with no internship but got an interview because I networked and was actively involved on campus. At that point, the interviewers don’t care what your experience has been as long as you make a good impression on your interviewers.</p>
<p>By spring, I did mean January. Most schools start their “spring” semester in January… guess you could call it winter too.</p>
<p>In terms of you saying at the point you get an interview that they don’t care about your experience as long as you make a good impression… well, what about when they evaluate you vs. other people they interviewed? Wouldn’t they be more inclined to pick someone with more/better experience? I feel like that may be a big part of the reason I got denied. Tough to compete against 2 people with Big 4 internships on their resume for one…</p>
<p>I’ve been at Big 4 for about 4 years now. I would say just like any interview there are specific areas that you need to focus on and this will more than compensate you for work experience (Especially at the intern/kids level):
Why does Big 4 audit and tax make sense for you? How does it fit into your longer term career plans? Does it make sense?
How are your team work skills? Also bring up examples why you love working in a team and why its important for everyone
Leadership? How type of leader are you? Whys it good?
Work ethic/initiative. Demonstrate that you always go above and beyond</p>
<p>Those are the major ones. I’m tired today so I don’t feel like helping out anymore.</p>
<p>Appreciate the advice, I definitely try to play up my experience with teamwork and leadership a lot in interviews. Just not sure how confident I’ll be going up to the Big 4 when I’ve already been denied by a regional…</p>