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When is the best time for rising sophomores to apply for internships, and how do I become a prime candidate for recruitment?
I am a 19-year-old college freshman and rising sophomore at Saint Mary’s College, majoring in Accounting. I have several years of customer service and leadership experience, have completed a Financial Accounting course, and am proficient in Excel.
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6 answers
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Katlynne’s Answer
Hi Giavana,
Great question! Internships are a fantastic way for college students to get real-world experience in their field. They can really help you stand out when you're looking for jobs after graduation.
A helpful site to find local internships is handshake.com. It shows you options based on what you’re looking for. Make sure to read the descriptions carefully, as some internships are paid and some are not. You can discover some great opportunities there.
Also, don't forget about your classmates. Talk to seniors and grad students at your school. They often know about the best internships or other options that can boost your resume. I hope these tips are useful. Good luck!
Great question! Internships are a fantastic way for college students to get real-world experience in their field. They can really help you stand out when you're looking for jobs after graduation.
A helpful site to find local internships is handshake.com. It shows you options based on what you’re looking for. Make sure to read the descriptions carefully, as some internships are paid and some are not. You can discover some great opportunities there.
Also, don't forget about your classmates. Talk to seniors and grad students at your school. They often know about the best internships or other options that can boost your resume. I hope these tips are useful. Good luck!
Thank you so much! This helped a lot!
Giavana
Updated
Ginny’s Answer
Different companies have different requirements, so there should be opportunities for you to explore. Apply to positions that don't specify a year or are open to rising sophomores. Carefully read the requirements and plan ahead too. Even if you don't qualify for internships that only accept juniors, you can still meet people from those companies and make connections. This will give you a head start for next year. And don't forget to leverage the experience you already mentioned you have!
Thank you for the advice, Ginny.
Giavana
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Earlier the better. At Deloitte we have internship opportunities across multiple experience years along with programs for younger candidates. Always great to attend career fairs and campus events to gain knowledge and information on the firms, which will also help you decide who may be a preferred fit. Best of luck!
Updated
Dwight’s Answer
Hi Giavana,
I hope all is well! This is a great question! For rising sophomores, the best time to apply for internships is typically late summer through early fall of sophomore year ( around August to October). Many accounting and finance internships at larger firms recruit very early, so waiting until winter or spring may not be helpful. It’s important to start preparing before applications open by getting your resume ready, attending recruiting events, and beginning to network with alumni and professionals in accounting.
To become a strong candidate, focus on building relevant experience and showing clear interest in accounting. This can come from joining accounting clubs, doing case competitions, or taking on part-time or campus roles that demonstrate interest in accounting. You should also begin networking early and be ready to clearly explain why you are interested in accounting and what you have done to prepare.
I hope this helps answer your questions. Please reach out with any additional questions and hope to talk soon!
Thank you,
Dwight
I hope all is well! This is a great question! For rising sophomores, the best time to apply for internships is typically late summer through early fall of sophomore year ( around August to October). Many accounting and finance internships at larger firms recruit very early, so waiting until winter or spring may not be helpful. It’s important to start preparing before applications open by getting your resume ready, attending recruiting events, and beginning to network with alumni and professionals in accounting.
To become a strong candidate, focus on building relevant experience and showing clear interest in accounting. This can come from joining accounting clubs, doing case competitions, or taking on part-time or campus roles that demonstrate interest in accounting. You should also begin networking early and be ready to clearly explain why you are interested in accounting and what you have done to prepare.
I hope this helps answer your questions. Please reach out with any additional questions and hope to talk soon!
Thank you,
Dwight
Thank you so much, Dwight. This helps tremendously! Hope you have a great rest of your day!
Giavana
Updated
Riley’s Answer
Make sure to check out any career fairs your college hosts. It's always a good idea to attend, even if you're just starting out. Some companies offer internships for sophomores, and even if they don't, it's great to meet the recruiters. These same recruiters might be there again when you're looking for full-time jobs later on.
Updated
Katherine (Katy)’s Answer
It's great you're thinking about this now because many students wait too long. In business and accounting, aim for a summer internship between your junior and senior year. This is crucial because it often leads to a job offer after graduation. Other internships are helpful, but this one is key since most companies offer internships during this time in your college career and don't consider younger students.
Besides keeping your grades up and joining relevant activities, remember that applying is a numbers game. Apply to as many internships as possible because competition is tough. Don't be discouraged by rejections; they're part of the process.
Start applying for summer internships at the start of the school year. For example, if you want an internship in June 2027 (next summer), begin applying in September or October 2026 (this fall). This might seem early, but it's when openings appear. Apply over several months as companies release their openings to find the right fit. Don't wait until March, as most positions will be filled by then.
Besides keeping your grades up and joining relevant activities, remember that applying is a numbers game. Apply to as many internships as possible because competition is tough. Don't be discouraged by rejections; they're part of the process.
Start applying for summer internships at the start of the school year. For example, if you want an internship in June 2027 (next summer), begin applying in September or October 2026 (this fall). This might seem early, but it's when openings appear. Apply over several months as companies release their openings to find the right fit. Don't wait until March, as most positions will be filled by then.