Introduction
Interning at a Big 4 accounting firm is an incredible opportunity – many accounting students dream of it. The Big 4 consists of Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY) Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). They are the largest accounting firms in the world and provide services to some of the biggest global companies. Interns who secure a position with one of these giants gain invaluable experience working on high-profile projects alongside top-notch professionals. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how accounting student Robert (Bobby) Arent became the first junior at Albertus to land an internship at a Big 4 firm in recent years, and how he hopes it will shape his future career.
About Bobby Arent
Bobby Arent is a junior accounting student at Albertus Magnus College. He is currently enrolled in our five-year program to achieve a Master of Science in Accounting in preparation for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.
Bobby first came to Albertus as a transfer student looking to pursue baseball and better his education. Despite the obvious challenges of adjusting to a new school and managing his time between the baseball diamond and the classroom, Bobby continued to work hard – honing his skills through relevant coursework such as Intermediate Accounting I and II, as well as an auditing class he completed this past spring. According to Bobby, these courses, especially those taught by Professor Alan DelFavero, are what prompted his love for the field – the accounting field, that is.
“I feel like professors play a big role,” says Bobby. “Professor DelFavero really helped me want to pursue accounting.”
While over 90% of our traditional day students complete at least one internship, not every student receives an opportunity as prestigious as this. It was Bobby’s efforts in the classroom, in addition to a little guidance from The Office of Career & Professional Development, that would eventually lead him to an internship at a Big 4 firm.
The “Handshake” that started it all
The Office of Career & Professional Development assists students and alumni in developing, evaluating, and implementing a career and professional development plan. Among one of the ways the office accomplishes this mission is through a mandatory Professional Development Seminar worth one credit. This course supports students in developing career readiness skills and the creation of an ePortfolio in Handshake demonstrating their best work.
Bobby attended the Professional Development Seminar with Albertus’ Director of Career and Professional Development, Patrick Clifford. It is during this seminar that Bobby created his first Handshake account- a web-based recruiting system designed for students to engage with prospective employers regarding internship and work opportunities. It would be through his Handshake account that Bobby would receive a message inviting him to apply to an internship from a recruiter at EY, a member of the “Big 4”.
From applicant to intern
Bobby’s next step was to apply through the EY website. He answered various questions and attached his resume. By the end of the week, Bobby would receive a call that EY was interested in moving forward in the process. That step led to a series of virtual interviews where he responded to questions concerning his skill sets, goals, and personality. That following week, Bobby got the call of his early career.
“They said, ‘Congratulations!’ and offered me an internship position,” exclaims Bobby.
A week later, Bobby received his official offer letter in the mail: the opportunity to be an auditing and assurance intern for EY in June of 2023.
Hopes and expectations
Bobby hopes to gain invaluable experience through this internship opportunity. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), internships are an important bridge from college to career and lead to increased skills, expanded networks, and enhanced social capital. Subsequently, internships can lead to other job opportunities as well. Additionally, another report revealed that when companies are reviewing applications, the top two attributes that bring a candidate to the top are an internship with the organization or an internship with another company in their industry.
For Bobby, building his network is one of the most exciting opportunities revolving around his internship.
“I’m looking forward to making connections; especially in the accounting industry, that’s the biggest thing,” says Bobby.
Future plans
Bobby will begin his internship June 19th. It runs through August. His future goals include completing his Master of Science in Accounting as well as taking the CPA exam – which he hopes will aid him in finding a job post-graduation.
Conclusion
Landing an internship with one of the world’s largest accounting firms requires hard work, dedication, and sometimes a little support. Bobby’s success story is a testament to this experience. Just like in baseball, you have to put in the work. By engaging with his professors, working with the Office of Career & Professional Development, and building his skills through relevant coursework, Bobby was able to stand out from the competition and secure a coveted position with a top-tier firm. If you’re looking to hit a home run like Bobby and land your dream internship or job, be sure to take these lessons to heart. With persistence, support, and a willingness to learn from setbacks along the way, you too can achieve great things in your desired field!
Resources
To learn more about the Albertus Accounting Program, click here.
To learn more about the Office of Career and Professional Development, click here.
To find information regarding transferring, click here.
To visit Handshake, click here.
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