[xoHoneyBunny]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. I was accepted to the two graduate programs I applied to. One starts in May (Rutgers) and the other in August (University of Southern California). I would much rather go to USC but I am without a summer internship at this point. Will it look bad for Big 4 recruiting if I am unable to get an internship for this summer and I just study for the CPA exam? I’ve had an internship last summer if that helps and I’ve interviewed with Big 4 many times but was just never able to get into the office I wanted.

[CPA soon]

I am struggling to get out of automotive and go to public, I have been a financial analyst for 2.5 years. Big 4 hire either experienced accountants or campus hires. As a grad student you can intern whenever so it shouldn't be an issue but keep in mind the barriers of entry to big 4. Your first job/internship has alot to do with the career path you take, choose it wisely.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[tomq04]

I wouldn't be too stressed about summer internships…go to the school of your choice.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

It won't.

Let me tell you about the first thing that all my big 4 interviewers told me in the interviews (when I asked them “what do you expect from a first-year associate?): we don't care about how good you were at tax in the college; we just need you to learn once you are hired.

B4 people are very realistic. No matter how hard you decorate your resume, they will see right through you always. So if you have no summer internship, that's totally fine. You can talk to them in the recruiting event or do something good when you stay at USC or RUG. They will feel that you are the right spot.

Last week I was talking to one of the seniors who was doing resume review. He told me that he picked a basketball team player over a 3.95 honor student. Why? Because the 3.95 has no activities other than school.

Like I said, they are very realistic. They know, it is also the truth, that once you start, you just have to learn a lot of things from the bottom anyway. GPA or an internship is just a way to tell them that you are not stupid or socially awkward. The key in recruiting is ATTITUDE.

Don't worry about it OP. Just do your best in USC or RUG and you will find your way into the big 4.

[xoHoneyBunny]

Thanks everyone! Cycgundam, that was very helpful. I knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn't be a deal-breaker but it is nice to hear it won't matter from other people. I'll just make sure I have the best attitude during recruiting! 🙂

[reg_mackworthy]

USC MBA and you're worrying? I'm sure you will meet plenty of people there who could care less about a summer internship.

[xoHoneyBunny]

I actually got in for the Master of Accounting program. Hopefully that's doesn't effect anything.

[Author]

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