The journey that has led to my current career path has not been easy, but I am grateful for the challenges that have gotten me to where I am. Having started college as a biology major, I could have never predicted that just a few years later I would be wrapping up an internship in the accounting field.
After taking over a year’s worth of science courses, I knew that route was not the right one for me. I felt more drawn to the few business classes that I was exposed to, so I did a complete 180-degree turn, knowing the risks in my decision. Switching to a business major relatively late in my college career there was the potential risk of not being able to graduate on time. Based on the general impression that I had about an office job, I was also terrified that I would end up stuck in a cubicle all day doing monotonous work and barely interacting with my co-workers. While I greatly enjoyed my business classes at school, my worries about the work atmosphere in the real world created doubt in my mind if I had made the right choice.
I can now confidently say that my summer internship experience at Schneider Downs has completely changed my outlook for the better. From the open work environment to the kindness that my co-workers have shown towards me, I know that this is the type of place that I want to be a part of. Even during the interview process, I had the immediate sense that everyone was incredibly welcoming and encouraging, which became even more evident upon starting my internship.
At the beginning, it was intimidating to be assigned work that I was completely unfamiliar with, but the support from my managers and the staff on my team, Risk Advisory Services, gave me the confidence to ask questions when necessary and to not be afraid of failure. In times of stress, I am constantly reassured through the positive work atmosphere that it’s impossible to learn everything in one day, one week, or even one month. It takes time to develop necessary skills, and I feel that from the start of my internship until now I have made an immense amount of progress in developing my knowledge and appreciation for this work.
Everyone at Schneider Downs has been more than willing to spend the extra few minutes to answer any of the questions that I may have or help me understand why we do the work that we do. It’s one thing to just learn how to execute the work that has been assigned, but it is another to see the whole picture. By going the extra mile, my mentors have given me a much better and deeper understanding of the work that is done on our team.
I have been given amazing opportunities this summer at Schneider Downs, such as being able to visit client sites, volunteer and attend team/intern events. Despite my initial fears of an ‘office job,’ Schneider Downs has completely changed by prospective. Working here, I have never felt as if I’m confined to a desk, and I’m constantly faced with different challenges each day, which keeps the job exciting. I couldn’t be more thrilled and appreciative of my internship experience at Schneider Downs, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!
Start Your Career with Schneider Downs
As a trusted advisor in the professional services industry, you know what matters most to clients: Big Thinking with a Personal Focus. You also know what matters most to your success, including: career growth, work-life flexibility, leadership that cares about your ability to succeed, the opportunity to give and receive one-on-one coaching and mentoring, as well as learning opportunities that inspire professional development.
Build an exceptional career with diverse, talented people who are among the most respected in their fields. Join our team at Schneider Downs where flexibility, growth, impactful work and a collaborative mindset await you.
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