11 answers
Isis
Student
Wilmington, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
787 views
How can I make myself stand out for accounting internships if I don’t have much professional experience yet?
Managerial Accounting is my favorite, Im a rising senior, and I love computers
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11 answers
Caitlin Canton
Human Resources Manager
31
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
Hi Isis,
Applying for internships can be intimidating, especially if you haven't had much "professional" experience yet. Let me share some insights whether you've had a job before or not.
If you've worked anywhere, like in landscaping or at McDonald's, you've gained valuable skills. You've probably learned to communicate with others, handle conflicts, and prioritize tasks. You might have managed your time or dealt with stressful situations, like being understaffed. These skills are useful in an accounting career too.
If you haven't had a job yet, you've still learned important skills. Working on school projects, participating in extracurricular activities, or helping at home teaches you to juggle priorities, manage your time, and handle conflicts or different personalities.
When I first interviewed for an internship, my experience was from working at TJ Maxx and a local ice cream shop. I practiced interviewing with my college advisor, but you can also ask a parent, guidance counselor, or teacher. This helped me answer common interview questions and show how my skills could transfer to an accounting internship. You have great experience; just think about how it applies to different jobs or industries!
Make a list of the different skills you have developed through school or through any jobs you have had. Think about the skills that can apply to anything, like communication, managing priorities or your time, presenting, writing, etc. For each skill, write down examples of how you developed it.
Use the examples to create your resume, focusing on concise bullets that will make the reader want to ask questions to learn more (e.g. "Served 100 customers/week")
Practice interviewing with someone to get comfortable with how you will respond to the questions.
Applying for internships can be intimidating, especially if you haven't had much "professional" experience yet. Let me share some insights whether you've had a job before or not.
If you've worked anywhere, like in landscaping or at McDonald's, you've gained valuable skills. You've probably learned to communicate with others, handle conflicts, and prioritize tasks. You might have managed your time or dealt with stressful situations, like being understaffed. These skills are useful in an accounting career too.
If you haven't had a job yet, you've still learned important skills. Working on school projects, participating in extracurricular activities, or helping at home teaches you to juggle priorities, manage your time, and handle conflicts or different personalities.
When I first interviewed for an internship, my experience was from working at TJ Maxx and a local ice cream shop. I practiced interviewing with my college advisor, but you can also ask a parent, guidance counselor, or teacher. This helped me answer common interview questions and show how my skills could transfer to an accounting internship. You have great experience; just think about how it applies to different jobs or industries!
Caitlin recommends the following next steps:
julian infante
sales
8
Answers
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Updated
julian’s Answer
You need to strat from the beginign and offer your service to local small shop, independent professional and step by step gain experience and curriculum
Riley Moran
Consultant
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Riley’s Answer
This is a great question, and it’s awesome that you’ve already found something you’re passionate about and are thinking ahead about how to stand out. One of the best things about accounting is how widely it applies across both professional and non-professional settings.
If you don’t have much formal work experience yet, look for hands-on opportunities in your community or at school. Consider reaching out to local businesses or nonprofits - especially ones you care about - and offering to volunteer with bookkeeping or basic accounting tasks. This allows you to gain real-world experience while also supporting an organization you’re passionate about.
The same idea applies to student government or campus clubs. Many student organizations manage budgets, run fundraisers, purchase equipment, and track expenses, all of which involve accounting skills. Volunteering to help with these responsibilities is a great way to build practical experience.
These experiences not only help you develop and strengthen your skills, but they also give you strong, meaningful examples to talk about in interviews. They clearly demonstrate initiative, dedication to learning, and involvement in your community - all things employers look for when hiring interns.
If you don’t have much formal work experience yet, look for hands-on opportunities in your community or at school. Consider reaching out to local businesses or nonprofits - especially ones you care about - and offering to volunteer with bookkeeping or basic accounting tasks. This allows you to gain real-world experience while also supporting an organization you’re passionate about.
The same idea applies to student government or campus clubs. Many student organizations manage budgets, run fundraisers, purchase equipment, and track expenses, all of which involve accounting skills. Volunteering to help with these responsibilities is a great way to build practical experience.
These experiences not only help you develop and strengthen your skills, but they also give you strong, meaningful examples to talk about in interviews. They clearly demonstrate initiative, dedication to learning, and involvement in your community - all things employers look for when hiring interns.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Isis. As Head of Programme, I've helped students find accounting internships before, and I've learned some good strategies that can work for you too.
First, you should focus on what you're good at and what you enjoy. Since you love managerial accounting, make sure to talk about that passion when applying. You can mention any projects or classes where you've worked with budgeting, financial analysis, or planning. Employers want to see that you're not just good at the basics, but also that you're passionate about the area you want to specialize in. If you've done well in any accounting classes, don't be afraid to mention it, especially if you've had hands-on experience in solving accounting problems or working with data.
Your love for computers is another strength. In today's accounting world, many employers look for students who know how to use accounting software. Moreover, knowing how to work with data, manage spreadsheets, and use accounting tools is something that can really help you stand out from others.
Even if you don't have a lot of direct accounting experience, you can still highlight other skills. For example, if you've been involved in any clubs, volunteer work, or group projects, these experiences can show that you have leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. These are all important for accounting internships, where you may need to work with a team or present information clearly.
Networking is also really important. You can attend career fairs, accounting workshops, or events where you can meet professionals in the field.
You could also ask professors if they know of any internship opportunities or can connect you with professionals in the field. Wishing you all the best.
First, you should focus on what you're good at and what you enjoy. Since you love managerial accounting, make sure to talk about that passion when applying. You can mention any projects or classes where you've worked with budgeting, financial analysis, or planning. Employers want to see that you're not just good at the basics, but also that you're passionate about the area you want to specialize in. If you've done well in any accounting classes, don't be afraid to mention it, especially if you've had hands-on experience in solving accounting problems or working with data.
Your love for computers is another strength. In today's accounting world, many employers look for students who know how to use accounting software. Moreover, knowing how to work with data, manage spreadsheets, and use accounting tools is something that can really help you stand out from others.
Even if you don't have a lot of direct accounting experience, you can still highlight other skills. For example, if you've been involved in any clubs, volunteer work, or group projects, these experiences can show that you have leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. These are all important for accounting internships, where you may need to work with a team or present information clearly.
Networking is also really important. You can attend career fairs, accounting workshops, or events where you can meet professionals in the field.
You could also ask professors if they know of any internship opportunities or can connect you with professionals in the field. Wishing you all the best.
Michelle Wong
Tax Consulting
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Isis!
I totally know where you're coming from, I had last minute decided to switch to accounting in my junior year and felt as if I was behind. I think the two biggest things you should focus on are networking and getting any experience possible. When I say experience, I don't particularly mean in accounting but any role that has some form of responsibility such as an internship, a part-time/summer job, being on the leadership team for a school club, or just any type of volunteering. From my experience, most of the time people just want to see that you've been useful of your time in college and that you were doing something. And it's from these experiences that you can create and pull valuable skills that a future employer would love to see.
Networking is huge! In my own experience, a lot of the opportunities I got were fostered through the people I know. If this seems intimidating, (which it did to me at first), try practicing interviewing. In my own interviews, especially for someone who was in college and had no experience, I noticed that quite a few firms didn't mind the lack of experience. What they did mind was the personality in the interview. Essentially they wanted someone who had a great attitude that made them WANT to teach you. While technical skills are a huge bonus, I've found that my interpersonal skills brought me so far!
I hope this helps!
I totally know where you're coming from, I had last minute decided to switch to accounting in my junior year and felt as if I was behind. I think the two biggest things you should focus on are networking and getting any experience possible. When I say experience, I don't particularly mean in accounting but any role that has some form of responsibility such as an internship, a part-time/summer job, being on the leadership team for a school club, or just any type of volunteering. From my experience, most of the time people just want to see that you've been useful of your time in college and that you were doing something. And it's from these experiences that you can create and pull valuable skills that a future employer would love to see.
Networking is huge! In my own experience, a lot of the opportunities I got were fostered through the people I know. If this seems intimidating, (which it did to me at first), try practicing interviewing. In my own interviews, especially for someone who was in college and had no experience, I noticed that quite a few firms didn't mind the lack of experience. What they did mind was the personality in the interview. Essentially they wanted someone who had a great attitude that made them WANT to teach you. While technical skills are a huge bonus, I've found that my interpersonal skills brought me so far!
I hope this helps!
Seleene Manimala D'Souza
Ethics & Compliance Director
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Seleene’s Answer
Hi Isis! To stand out, get involved in school clubs, volunteer outside of school, or join private clubs and sports. These activities help you develop important skills for an accounting internship, like commitment, empathy, multitasking, leadership, and relationship building. Good luck!
Desi Otis
Talent Consultant (HR Manager)
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Desi’s Answer
Hi Isis, many students feel the same way when applying for their first professional internship. The advice you've received is helpful. You should include experiences on your resume, whether they're from a paid job, a school project, a sport, or volunteer work. These show your involvement in the community and your sense of responsibility. Consider brainstorming ideas with ChatGPT.
Networking is also important. Use LinkedIn to expand your connections, which can help you stand out. Start by searching for your school on LinkedIn and connect with alumni, who are often eager to assist. Getting referrals for open positions is one of the best ways to have your resume noticed and secure an interview.
Once you get an interview, preparation is crucial. Practice telling your story and explain why you want to enter the accounting field and why you chose this company. Be ready for behavioral questions, like "Tell me about a time you dealt with a conflict and how you handled it." Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Results) to structure your answers.
Networking is also important. Use LinkedIn to expand your connections, which can help you stand out. Start by searching for your school on LinkedIn and connect with alumni, who are often eager to assist. Getting referrals for open positions is one of the best ways to have your resume noticed and secure an interview.
Once you get an interview, preparation is crucial. Practice telling your story and explain why you want to enter the accounting field and why you chose this company. Be ready for behavioral questions, like "Tell me about a time you dealt with a conflict and how you handled it." Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Results) to structure your answers.
Danielle Bryan
Talent Acquisition Manager
7
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
Hi Isis - Early in your career, employers understand that you may have little or no experience in your field—and that’s perfectly okay! Any past job experience is valuable and worth including on your resume, regardless of the role. Besides work experience, employers also consider factors like your academic performance and your involvement on campus. I always encourage students to join clubs or organizations related to their major or the industry they’re interested in. If possible, aiming for a leadership position in these groups is even better! Additionally, many companies host events and presentations on campus. Attending these sessions is a great way to learn more about different firms and start building your professional network.
Lia Nanez
Resource Manager
2
Answers
Farmers Branch, Texas
Updated
Lia’s Answer
Hi Isis,
This a great question!In my experience, the one way to stand out for internships is to highlight extracurriculars activities that show your organization, communication, and leadership skills. Campus business organizations are a great opportunity.
Another way to set yourself apart is by building genuine relationships with company representatives. Find common ground, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up with a brief thank-you message—those connections make a strong, positive impression.
Best of luck to you!
This a great question!In my experience, the one way to stand out for internships is to highlight extracurriculars activities that show your organization, communication, and leadership skills. Campus business organizations are a great opportunity.
Another way to set yourself apart is by building genuine relationships with company representatives. Find common ground, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up with a brief thank-you message—those connections make a strong, positive impression.
Best of luck to you!
Stephanie Rosalez
1
Answer
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
It's fantastic that you're curious about this! In many discussions about intern success, one key quality that stands out is communication. Being proactive in speaking up during calls, asking questions, volunteering for extra tasks, and keeping your team informed about your schedule are all valuable actions. Turning on your camera in remote settings also helps you connect better.
Showing a strong desire to learn and tackling challenges bravely are admirable traits that make you shine.
Keep believing in yourself, and best of luck with everything you pursue!
Showing a strong desire to learn and tackling challenges bravely are admirable traits that make you shine.
Keep believing in yourself, and best of luck with everything you pursue!
Jessica Sandler
Chief of Staff
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
If you don't have a lot of work experience yet, that's perfectly fine! Focus on your interests, skills, and potential instead of your job history. Employers know that students applying for internships are still learning. You can shine by explaining what parts of accounting excite you, like managerial accounting, and why. Show your enthusiasm for how accounting helps in business decisions, and it will leave a great impression. If you like working with computers or technology, highlight that too, since accounting involves a lot of data and tools. Talk about relevant classes, projects, or student groups where you've used accounting skills. Lastly, emphasize your eagerness to learn, strong work ethic, and people skills like communication, reliability, and teamwork, which are often just as valuable as experience.