5 answers
Valerie
Student
Lubbock, Texas
3
Questions
Asked
1176 views
How can Network with accounting firms in Colorado if I live in Texas?
I want to live in Colorado after I graduate. I currently live in Texas and attend college here, so most accounting firm networking and recruiting events I go to are for Dallas, Houston, and other Texas cities.
How can I start networking with accounting firms in Colorado and increase my chances of getting accounting internships there so I can hopefully get a job in Colorado after graduation? I keep getting rejected from accounting internships in Colorado, and firms I meet at networking events often say they want interns to receive return offers in the same location.
Should I focus on getting an accounting internship in Texas to build my résumé and experience, then move to Colorado and apply for full-time jobs after graduation, or should I keep trying to get an accounting internship in Colorado?
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5 answers
Johnson Tran
Tutor
101
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Johnson’s Answer
Hi Valerie,
Since you're interested in Colorado, I suggest a two-part strategy: keep networking there and gain solid accounting experience where you are now.
Consider a Texas internship. Companies value your skills, grades, and ability to do the job more than the location of your internship. Strong experience on your resume, no matter where, makes you a better candidate later.
For networking, use LinkedIn to connect with Colorado recruiters and professionals, join virtual events, and find alumni from your school who moved there.
When talking to Colorado firms, be honest about your plan to move after graduation. If you have a clear reason to be there, they won't worry about you returning to Texas.
If you succeed in a Texas internship and build connections in Colorado, you'll be well-positioned for a job after graduation.
Start by reaching out to 5-10 alumni in Colorado working in accounting for informational interviews.
Since you're interested in Colorado, I suggest a two-part strategy: keep networking there and gain solid accounting experience where you are now.
Consider a Texas internship. Companies value your skills, grades, and ability to do the job more than the location of your internship. Strong experience on your resume, no matter where, makes you a better candidate later.
For networking, use LinkedIn to connect with Colorado recruiters and professionals, join virtual events, and find alumni from your school who moved there.
When talking to Colorado firms, be honest about your plan to move after graduation. If you have a clear reason to be there, they won't worry about you returning to Texas.
If you succeed in a Texas internship and build connections in Colorado, you'll be well-positioned for a job after graduation.
Start by reaching out to 5-10 alumni in Colorado working in accounting for informational interviews.
Murtaza Savliwala
CPA
4
Answers
Fairfax, Virginia
Updated
Murtaza’s Answer
Hi Valerie, I suggest looking into the Big 4 or Big 5 firms, as they usually have offices all over the country. You can reach out to see if they offer internships in Colorado, and they can help connect you with their recruiting teams there. Remember, getting that dream internship will give you fantastic work experience. The skills and knowledge you gain will stay with you throughout your career, helping you land that dream job in Colorado. Best of luck with everything!
Joe Warren
tax
10
Answers
Canton, Georgia
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hey Valerie,
Regional/national firms that have locations in both areas is probably a good option for you. Look into their internship programs and get your foot in the door. Make it known you have plans to relocate to another market so they'll start planting the seeds now and if they like you, they'll help get you a position in TX. I hope this helps!
Regional/national firms that have locations in both areas is probably a good option for you. Look into their internship programs and get your foot in the door. Make it known you have plans to relocate to another market so they'll start planting the seeds now and if they like you, they'll help get you a position in TX. I hope this helps!
Kelly Murphy
Senior Finance Manager
6
Answers
Hoboken, New Jersey
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Hi Valerie!
Why not aim for an internship with a big national firm in Texas that also has a Colorado office? I interned with one of the Big 4, and if you enjoy your experience, recruiters can be great allies in helping you transfer to another location. Many large firms have connections across the country, so you might even network with someone in Colorado while working in Texas.
Keep building your resume in Texas, especially if you're seeing progress there, and keep your dream of moving to Colorado alive.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Why not aim for an internship with a big national firm in Texas that also has a Colorado office? I interned with one of the Big 4, and if you enjoy your experience, recruiters can be great allies in helping you transfer to another location. Many large firms have connections across the country, so you might even network with someone in Colorado while working in Texas.
Keep building your resume in Texas, especially if you're seeing progress there, and keep your dream of moving to Colorado alive.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Douglas Ossanna
Accountant
97
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
I think you have two really good options here.
The first would be to start networking directly with accounting firms in Colorado instead of relying only on the recruiting events at your school. One thing I would recommend is using Apollo.io to find the emails of seniors, managers, or senior managers at the firms you actually want to work for in Colorado. I would make it pretty niche though. Don't email every single person at the firm because people talk and it can come across as spammy. Instead target one specific team that you're interested in. For example if you wanted to work at PwC, you could reach out to a couple people on their State & Local Tax team in Denver and ask if they would be willing to do a quick virtual coffee chat.
The goal of those conversations isn't to immediately ask them for a job. I would ask about their experience, the Denver office, what their team does, how they got into it etc... Then if the conversation goes well you can mention that you're trying to recruit for Colorado even though you go to school in Texas. A lot of times those conversations can eventually turn into a referral, an introduction to someone else on the team, or even a virtual conversation with the recruiter. Having someone internally know your name makes a huge difference compared to just submitting an application online with hundreds of other people.
Your second option would be to get an internship with a large national firm in Texas and then try to move locations when you're converting to full time. I honestly think this is a really good option too, especially if you can get a penultimate summer internship with one of the Big 4. I've interned with Big 4 three times and when you're going through the full time conversion process they usually ask what locations you're interested in. You can also talk directly with your recruiter about wanting to move offices. Once you're already inside the firm and they know your work, moving locations is a lot easier than trying to break into a completely different office from the outside.
So I wouldn't look at a Texas internship as giving up on Colorado at all. If you can land a strong internship in Colorado obviously take it, but if the Colorado internships keep rejecting you I would absolutely take a good opportunity in Texas, build your resume, get the experience and then use that firm to help you move later. Those are probably the two best routes I would focus on.
I wish you good luck!
The first would be to start networking directly with accounting firms in Colorado instead of relying only on the recruiting events at your school. One thing I would recommend is using Apollo.io to find the emails of seniors, managers, or senior managers at the firms you actually want to work for in Colorado. I would make it pretty niche though. Don't email every single person at the firm because people talk and it can come across as spammy. Instead target one specific team that you're interested in. For example if you wanted to work at PwC, you could reach out to a couple people on their State & Local Tax team in Denver and ask if they would be willing to do a quick virtual coffee chat.
The goal of those conversations isn't to immediately ask them for a job. I would ask about their experience, the Denver office, what their team does, how they got into it etc... Then if the conversation goes well you can mention that you're trying to recruit for Colorado even though you go to school in Texas. A lot of times those conversations can eventually turn into a referral, an introduction to someone else on the team, or even a virtual conversation with the recruiter. Having someone internally know your name makes a huge difference compared to just submitting an application online with hundreds of other people.
Your second option would be to get an internship with a large national firm in Texas and then try to move locations when you're converting to full time. I honestly think this is a really good option too, especially if you can get a penultimate summer internship with one of the Big 4. I've interned with Big 4 three times and when you're going through the full time conversion process they usually ask what locations you're interested in. You can also talk directly with your recruiter about wanting to move offices. Once you're already inside the firm and they know your work, moving locations is a lot easier than trying to break into a completely different office from the outside.
So I wouldn't look at a Texas internship as giving up on Colorado at all. If you can land a strong internship in Colorado obviously take it, but if the Colorado internships keep rejecting you I would absolutely take a good opportunity in Texas, build your resume, get the experience and then use that firm to help you move later. Those are probably the two best routes I would focus on.
I wish you good luck!