8 answers
Valerie
Student
Lubbock, Texas
2
Questions
Asked
1651 views
How can I improve my chances of getting a strong internship or job after a rough first year in college, now that I’ve started performing well academically?
Hi, I’m currently a sophomore in college. During my freshman year, I struggled academically because I had undiagnosed ADHD. I was only recently diagnosed and started medication, and since then my performance has completely changed for the first time in college, I’m earning all A’s.However, because of how poorly I did last year, my GPA is currently a 2.75. Even though I’m now academically on track, I feel really discouraged and worried that I may have ruined my chances of getting a strong internship for accounting or job in the future.
Right now, I’m trying to be proactive. I’m using Modern States to teach myself financial and managerial accounting before I take the courses so I can earn A’s and raise my GPA. I’m also working on joining clubs and getting more involved on campus. For those who have been in a similar situation or have experience with recruiting, what else should I be doing to improve my chances? Is it still realistic for me to land a good internship if I continue improving?
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8 answers
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
296
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Yes, it’s still totally realistic to get a strong internship. A rough first year won’t ruin your chances if you show that you’ve turned things around, which you already are. Employers and internship programs care a lot about improvement and proving that you can handle the work now. They don’t expect perfection right away, they want to see growth and resilience.
You’re doing the right things by teaching yourself accounting ahead of class and getting involved in clubs. You can also look for small hands-on experiences like volunteering to help with bookkeeping, helping student organizations with budgets, or even freelance work. Networking is huge too. Reach out to professors, alumni, and professionals on LinkedIn, go to career fairs, and join accounting groups like Beta Alpha Psi if your school has it. Many internships get filled through connections, not just GPA.
When you start applying, you can briefly explain your first-year struggles but focus on how you’ve improved, the skills you’ve gained, and what you’ve accomplished since starting treatment. That kind of story actually makes you stand out because it shows perseverance and self-awareness. Keep building momentum, and by junior year your improved GPA, experience, and involvement will make you competitive for strong internships.
You’re doing the right things by teaching yourself accounting ahead of class and getting involved in clubs. You can also look for small hands-on experiences like volunteering to help with bookkeeping, helping student organizations with budgets, or even freelance work. Networking is huge too. Reach out to professors, alumni, and professionals on LinkedIn, go to career fairs, and join accounting groups like Beta Alpha Psi if your school has it. Many internships get filled through connections, not just GPA.
When you start applying, you can briefly explain your first-year struggles but focus on how you’ve improved, the skills you’ve gained, and what you’ve accomplished since starting treatment. That kind of story actually makes you stand out because it shows perseverance and self-awareness. Keep building momentum, and by junior year your improved GPA, experience, and involvement will make you competitive for strong internships.
David Markowitz
Audit and Assurance Senior Consultant
18
Answers
Tarrytown, New York
Updated
David’s Answer
You are not alone, I think it is quite common to have a lower GPA in your first year of college compared to the rest as it is a very difficult adjustment in itself. And also of note- most firms look for a 3.3 GPA or above, so considering you are only 1 year in, you are not that far from this mark, if you can get a 3.75 overall your Sophomore year it would average to a 3.25 which rounds up to 3.3.
It is important to know that GPA is not the only thing employers will be looking at, starting to increase your club involvement is a great step for one, also taking classes you are passionate about and getting good project experience which you can talk about will help. Once you get to the interview stage, while your GPA may be factored into the decision, you will have plenty of chances during the technical and behavioral interviews to highlight why you are a good candidate. Here is a good place to talk about your experience in finance and accounting courses (maybe highlight a project you did a great job on that was extensive and impressive) or related clubs, that can demonstrate your knowledge and capabilities. That being said, in order to land the interview, GPA will be one of the components looked at in your resume. I would definitely recommend creating a cover letter for each application you submit, and building out an impressive resume with the help of your schools career center, as the more you are able to show in these, the less attention will be drawn to your GPA. Further, there are sometimes different ways to portray your GPA, it is pretty common to have your overall GPA listed as well as your GPA in major, so if most of the classes you took your first year were not in major, this is a good way to decrease their impact (overall GPA is still important, but GPA in major is more relevant). Additionally, and likely most important to getting interviews, is networking. Be sure to network intensively with the firms you are interested in, as that is a great way to get your foot in the door and increase your odds of landing an interview, and as I mentioned earlier, once you get to that stage you can talk about yourself in more depth, decreasing attention to your GPA.
Overall though- don't feel discouraged, you can definitely still be a great applicant if you continue to do all the right things which it sounds like you made a strong start on doing!
It is important to know that GPA is not the only thing employers will be looking at, starting to increase your club involvement is a great step for one, also taking classes you are passionate about and getting good project experience which you can talk about will help. Once you get to the interview stage, while your GPA may be factored into the decision, you will have plenty of chances during the technical and behavioral interviews to highlight why you are a good candidate. Here is a good place to talk about your experience in finance and accounting courses (maybe highlight a project you did a great job on that was extensive and impressive) or related clubs, that can demonstrate your knowledge and capabilities. That being said, in order to land the interview, GPA will be one of the components looked at in your resume. I would definitely recommend creating a cover letter for each application you submit, and building out an impressive resume with the help of your schools career center, as the more you are able to show in these, the less attention will be drawn to your GPA. Further, there are sometimes different ways to portray your GPA, it is pretty common to have your overall GPA listed as well as your GPA in major, so if most of the classes you took your first year were not in major, this is a good way to decrease their impact (overall GPA is still important, but GPA in major is more relevant). Additionally, and likely most important to getting interviews, is networking. Be sure to network intensively with the firms you are interested in, as that is a great way to get your foot in the door and increase your odds of landing an interview, and as I mentioned earlier, once you get to that stage you can talk about yourself in more depth, decreasing attention to your GPA.
Overall though- don't feel discouraged, you can definitely still be a great applicant if you continue to do all the right things which it sounds like you made a strong start on doing!
Kelly Donnellan
Associate Professor
26
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
First, you did not ruin your future.
An undiagnosed medical condition impacted your freshman year. You addressed it, got diagnosed, started treatment, and now you’re earning all A’s. That’s growth.
I also want to share something personal: I was undiagnosed ADHD through my first two undergraduate degrees. I understand how hard it is to work without knowing why things feel harder. Getting clarity and support changes everything.
A 2.75 GPA as a sophomore does not close doors, especially with a strong upward trend. Recruiters notice improvement. Trajectory matters.
And here’s something important: grades don’t always equate to skill set. When I worked in Los Angeles, no one ever asked me what my GPA was. They wanted to know what I could do. Could I solve problems? Could I deliver? Could I handle responsibility?
That’s true in many industries.
So keep doing what you’re doing:
Maintain the upward grade trend
Build real experience (internships, part-time roles, volunteer work, campus involvement)
Develop tangible skills
Experience + momentum often outweigh one rough year.
If asked about your GPA, you can simply say you faced a health challenge that has since been addressed and that your recent performance reflects your true ability.
One difficult year does not define a career. Your response to it does, and yours has been strong.
Keep going. You’re building something solid. 💛
An undiagnosed medical condition impacted your freshman year. You addressed it, got diagnosed, started treatment, and now you’re earning all A’s. That’s growth.
I also want to share something personal: I was undiagnosed ADHD through my first two undergraduate degrees. I understand how hard it is to work without knowing why things feel harder. Getting clarity and support changes everything.
A 2.75 GPA as a sophomore does not close doors, especially with a strong upward trend. Recruiters notice improvement. Trajectory matters.
And here’s something important: grades don’t always equate to skill set. When I worked in Los Angeles, no one ever asked me what my GPA was. They wanted to know what I could do. Could I solve problems? Could I deliver? Could I handle responsibility?
That’s true in many industries.
So keep doing what you’re doing:
Maintain the upward grade trend
Build real experience (internships, part-time roles, volunteer work, campus involvement)
Develop tangible skills
Experience + momentum often outweigh one rough year.
If asked about your GPA, you can simply say you faced a health challenge that has since been addressed and that your recent performance reflects your true ability.
One difficult year does not define a career. Your response to it does, and yours has been strong.
Keep going. You’re building something solid. 💛
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1209
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Valerie,
First of all, congratulations on finding the cause of your academic struggles and fixing the problem! That's no mean feat! Believe it or not, but most people have had some struggles along their academic or professional path. It's how you deal with it and how you overcome any issues that's important and impresses future employers.
You are still only a sophomore. You had one weak year, but your trajectory is up. Future employers will see that and appreciate that you are being pro-active, willing to accept criticism, diagnose weaknesses and work on solutions. That's all good qualities. So is your work ethic.
Looks like your GPA is going to go up significantly. You are building a profile outside of class by joining clubs and other activities. Get involved in your department. Find out is there are any jobs or projects that you can work on. Find out if your department has contacts for internships and start to build a network that will be valuable when you are looking for a real job.
Keep doing what you are doing since it's obviously working, and you'll be fine.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
First of all, congratulations on finding the cause of your academic struggles and fixing the problem! That's no mean feat! Believe it or not, but most people have had some struggles along their academic or professional path. It's how you deal with it and how you overcome any issues that's important and impresses future employers.
You are still only a sophomore. You had one weak year, but your trajectory is up. Future employers will see that and appreciate that you are being pro-active, willing to accept criticism, diagnose weaknesses and work on solutions. That's all good qualities. So is your work ethic.
Looks like your GPA is going to go up significantly. You are building a profile outside of class by joining clubs and other activities. Get involved in your department. Find out is there are any jobs or projects that you can work on. Find out if your department has contacts for internships and start to build a network that will be valuable when you are looking for a real job.
Keep doing what you are doing since it's obviously working, and you'll be fine.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Steven Graham
Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller, VP Finance
29
Answers
Boynton Beach, Florida
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Valerie,
The previous responses are definitely directionally correct. I would add, however, that when you look for clubs, see if they have business manager type positions that you can work with your accounting background. Also, don’t be afraid to speak to your professors, the career department, etc as they may know about positions (maybe even internships) that you can use as stepping stones to landing internships in your junior or senior year.
As noted, do not be afraid to let people know about your adhd diagnosis. Companies will take disabilities on their consideration assuming that they’re following the law and also have to make accommodations, if needed and asked for, once you’re hired.
Good luck.
The previous responses are definitely directionally correct. I would add, however, that when you look for clubs, see if they have business manager type positions that you can work with your accounting background. Also, don’t be afraid to speak to your professors, the career department, etc as they may know about positions (maybe even internships) that you can use as stepping stones to landing internships in your junior or senior year.
As noted, do not be afraid to let people know about your adhd diagnosis. Companies will take disabilities on their consideration assuming that they’re following the law and also have to make accommodations, if needed and asked for, once you’re hired.
Good luck.
Srinivas Narsam
IT
1
Answer
Hayward, California
Updated
Srinivas’s Answer
Hi Valerie,
If someone has a rough first year in college with a low GPA, it’s important to remember that early setbacks do not define long-term success.
What truly matters is how you respond. By focusing strategically on academics, relevant experience, soft skills, and crafting a
strong personal narrative, it is possible to recover and position yourself competitively for internships and future opportunities.
1. Academics (High GPA) Priority #1
Many accounting internships have a 3.0 GPA cutoff, so improving academic performance is critical.
Prioritize earning A’s, especially in major courses.
Show a strong upward trend.
Focus on building stability and credibility through consistent performance.
Improvement matters more than a perfect start.
2. Work Experience — Extremely Important
2.1 Primary: Accounting / Finance
Gain hands-on exposure through roles such as:
Bookkeeping
Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable
VITA (Volunteer tax programs)
Campus finance positions
Relevant experience strengthens your resume and demonstrates practical competence.
2.2 Secondary: IT (High-Value Differentiator)
Accounting + Technology creates strong market value.
Consider developing skills in:
Advanced Excel
Power BI
SQL
Basic Python
ERP systems exposure
Technical fluency significantly enhances employability.
3. Soft Skills — Often Underrated but Critical
Many students focus only on GPA and overlook:
Communication
Professional presence
Confidence
Networking ability
Strong soft skills act as multipliers and often determine who actually receives the offer.
4. Narrative Control — Tell Your Growth Story
How you explain your freshman year matters.
You do not need to overshare medical details. Instead, position it professionally:
“I had an adjustment period during my first year, but I identified what needed to change, improved my systems, and since then I’ve consistently earned A’s.”
This transforms a weakness into a story of resilience, accountability, and growth.
Finally, to Rank Them Strategically:
1. Academics (Stability & credibility)
2. Work Experience (Proof of competence)
3. Soft Skills (Multipliers)
4. Narrative Control (Storytelling & maturity)
You don’t win by excelling in only one area. You win by being solid and consistent across all four.
All the best.
If someone has a rough first year in college with a low GPA, it’s important to remember that early setbacks do not define long-term success.
What truly matters is how you respond. By focusing strategically on academics, relevant experience, soft skills, and crafting a
strong personal narrative, it is possible to recover and position yourself competitively for internships and future opportunities.
1. Academics (High GPA) Priority #1
Many accounting internships have a 3.0 GPA cutoff, so improving academic performance is critical.
Prioritize earning A’s, especially in major courses.
Show a strong upward trend.
Focus on building stability and credibility through consistent performance.
Improvement matters more than a perfect start.
2. Work Experience — Extremely Important
2.1 Primary: Accounting / Finance
Gain hands-on exposure through roles such as:
Bookkeeping
Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable
VITA (Volunteer tax programs)
Campus finance positions
Relevant experience strengthens your resume and demonstrates practical competence.
2.2 Secondary: IT (High-Value Differentiator)
Accounting + Technology creates strong market value.
Consider developing skills in:
Advanced Excel
Power BI
SQL
Basic Python
ERP systems exposure
Technical fluency significantly enhances employability.
3. Soft Skills — Often Underrated but Critical
Many students focus only on GPA and overlook:
Communication
Professional presence
Confidence
Networking ability
Strong soft skills act as multipliers and often determine who actually receives the offer.
4. Narrative Control — Tell Your Growth Story
How you explain your freshman year matters.
You do not need to overshare medical details. Instead, position it professionally:
“I had an adjustment period during my first year, but I identified what needed to change, improved my systems, and since then I’ve consistently earned A’s.”
This transforms a weakness into a story of resilience, accountability, and growth.
Finally, to Rank Them Strategically:
1. Academics (Stability & credibility)
2. Work Experience (Proof of competence)
3. Soft Skills (Multipliers)
4. Narrative Control (Storytelling & maturity)
You don’t win by excelling in only one area. You win by being solid and consistent across all four.
All the best.
Paul Silano Jr
Marketing Manager
10
Answers
Davenport, Florida
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Valerie,
I think you're doing all the right things, truthfully. One year won't ruin your opportunity for internships or your career. Where you can really showcase yourself is how you deal with adversity, and you're commitment to improving your GPA and your knowledge gap - that will only strengthen with time as your new grades have time to balance out your GPA.
If there's a specific GPA requirement in the future, provide an explanation of your situation briefly, but how you're overcoming it now. It shows perseverance which in my opinion, can be much stronger than a slightly lower GPA.
Stay confident, continue to build upon practical skills, and remain consistent in your studies.
Best of luck!
I think you're doing all the right things, truthfully. One year won't ruin your opportunity for internships or your career. Where you can really showcase yourself is how you deal with adversity, and you're commitment to improving your GPA and your knowledge gap - that will only strengthen with time as your new grades have time to balance out your GPA.
If there's a specific GPA requirement in the future, provide an explanation of your situation briefly, but how you're overcoming it now. It shows perseverance which in my opinion, can be much stronger than a slightly lower GPA.
Stay confident, continue to build upon practical skills, and remain consistent in your studies.
Best of luck!
semi hayat
Professional Resume Writer
60
Answers
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
semi’s Answer
First, you did not ruin your chances. You identified the issue, addressed it, and completely turned your performance around. That shows maturity and resilience qualities employers value.
What matters now is consistency. Keep earning strong grades so your upward trend is clear by junior year. As your major GPA improves, that will carry more weight. At the same time, focus on gaining practical experience through small CPA firms, bookkeeping work, volunteer tax programs, or campus finance roles. Experience can balance a lower cumulative GPA.
If GPA comes up, keep your explanation brief and confident: you faced a health challenge, resolved it, and your academic performance reflects that change. Recruiters respect growth.
You’re still early in your college journey. Stay consistent, keep building experience, and your turnaround can become one of your strengths.
What matters now is consistency. Keep earning strong grades so your upward trend is clear by junior year. As your major GPA improves, that will carry more weight. At the same time, focus on gaining practical experience through small CPA firms, bookkeeping work, volunteer tax programs, or campus finance roles. Experience can balance a lower cumulative GPA.
If GPA comes up, keep your explanation brief and confident: you faced a health challenge, resolved it, and your academic performance reflects that change. Recruiters respect growth.
You’re still early in your college journey. Stay consistent, keep building experience, and your turnaround can become one of your strengths.