By Nathaniel Luce
Vanderbilt students in the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program are currently in the middle of a Mod-long internship at a Big 4 accounting firm. It’s a unique component of the Vanderbilt MAcc program that gives students an in-depth look at the life of a first-year associate and employers some extra support during the busiest time of their year. And support isn’t just coffee runs and trips to the copy room, either.
“Students are doing meaningful work for the firms’ clients. They have the opportunity to contribute to their teams,” says Lindsay Donald, Director of the MAcc Programs.
The Path to the Internship
The internship, a critical component of the curriculum since the MAcc program launched in 2007, is the culmination of several months of guided preparation.
MAcc students network at a firm-sponsored event
Students begin building relationships with employers as early as the spring before classes start, through introductions from the program administrators. Over the summer, they identify target locations and visit firm offices, putting faces to names and building networks at potential employers. In the first mod, students attend firm-sponsored socials and information sessions on campus, to facilitate deeper interactions with Big 4 recruiters and employees.
Interviews for internships at all Big 4 employers during take place during Immersion Week, and offers are extended the week after. The search process is wrapped up before the end of October.
A jumpstart to full-time career
Internships are paid – overtime included – and offer students a chance to put their education to work at a critical time in an accounting firm’s year.
Lindsay Donald
“They are given quality work and make meaningful contributions to their teams, quickly building on their academic experience,” Donald says. “Students get a jumpstart on their fulltime careers by building their professional network within the firm and learning foundations of the profession.”
During their internships, students have full access to Donald and the MAcc team, who help ensure a smooth transition back to school for Mod 4. “The CPA is a hot topic,” Donald explains, because students need to apply to take the exam before they return to campus. “MAcc students begin studying for the CPA exam in Mod 4, and sit for the exam in May.”
After students return to Vanderbilt in the spring, we’ll be following up with a closer look at their internships. To learn more in the meantime, check out our article on the Class of 2017’s experiences, or visit the program page.
