As we wrap up the semester, our sights are set on many of our #UHBauer students who seem ready to take on the world.
Here, we highlight just a handful of our BBA students who have either completed or lined up incredible internships with companies including Amazon, Southwest Airlines, ExxonMobil and Tesla. (Thanks to #UHBauer Social Team member Laiba Khan, a MIS sophomore, who helped us with today’s blog post!)
Daniel Adaramola
MIS and Marketing Senior
Internship:
Schlumberger
Software Integrated Solution Intern, Summer 2018
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to intern at Schlumberger during Summer 2018. I worked under the Software Integrated Solutions group as a marketing analyst intern. Software Integrated Solutions (SIS) sells proprietary software and provides consulting, information management, and IT infrastructure services to customers in the oil and gas industry. SIS also offers expert consulting services for reservoir characterization, field development planning, and production enhancement, as well as industry-leading pyrotechnical data services and training solutions.
I started preparing a semester early, during the spring 2017 semester I informally interviewed students who had interviewed and received offers from Schlumberger. It was one of my goals to intern at an oil & gas firm if I ever had the opportunity. I was also heavily involved in the Program for Excellence in Selling, where Schlumberger was a strategic partner. I made it a priority to be at every single event Schlumberger hosted. I was able to interact with recruiters and representatives from Schlumberger on multiple occasions, eventually landing an interview in the middle of my fall 2017 semester. I received a verbal offer the beginning of December and an official offer letter towards the end of December ending an almost year-long recruiting process.
The interview was a standard behavioral interview. Effective use of the STAR method is extremely important. The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) method requires a candidate to explain a prior work situation anecdotally, provide details regarding the tasks required, what actions the candidate took to achieve those tasks, and the results of the situation. Mastery of this method will increase your chances of landing an internship with your dream company so pay attention in Jamie Belinne’s GENB class.
It’s important to be proactive. I believe in multiple points of contact with the recruiter. This will really make you stand out. Having previous work or internship experience can provide an edge, but for those who do not have such experience. I recommend being as involved as possible on campus. Looking back, I would have kept an open mind. I wouldn’t have been solely focus on one firm or industry; I would have recruited with as many firms as possible to see what else they have to offer. It’s important not to forget that just as the firm is interviewing you, you are also interviewing them. Be yourself, be genuinely curious about the interviewer, and the firm, and be enthusiastic. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it the first time, don’t ever give up keep trying and you with inevitably get better and closer to your goal. I am reminded of a quote that has gotten me through many difficult times ‘I will persist until I succeed.’”
Koray Aksel
MIS Junior
Internship:
Wunderman
Intern, Summer 2019
“My internship will start at the end of May 2019. The first few weeks of the internship will be general duties to learn more about the company; then interns are separated into roles based on their goals/skills.
In Spring 2018, I chose to do the corporate project with Wunderman in my GENB 3302 class; this was when I started planning. I never formally filled out an application for my internship at Wunderman, however, by taking my corporate project seriously, speaking to Wunderman at every career fair, regularly interacting with them through social media, and following up after every meeting, I was able to secure an interview in October of 2018 and an internship offer shortly after.
Wunderman’s interview process was quite interesting, with a set up similar to speed dating. A group of around twenty-one candidates where sat in a room with seven tables, three candidates to a table, each table spoke to a group of 2-3 Wunderman employees. The employees received a copy of your résumé and a quick 30-second elevator pitch. From there, they would ask individual and group questions. When the time was up, the employees would switch tables, and the process began again.
First and foremost, the corporate project through GENB 3302 helped me stand out. Taking the project seriously and doing a good job, created a great first impression. Second, keeping in touch. The follow-up after every meeting is something, I feel, recruiters look for and not only with a simple thank you but a meaningful message explaining why you enjoyed the meeting.
I think the one thing I wish I had done differently would be to attend more events. Bauer has so many amazing student organizations that host corporate events. These events allow you to create relationships and also develop critical skills you will use during the recruiting process in the future. Don’t be afraid! In the beginning, I was afraid to talk to companies at events and career fairs, but I realized they are at these places looking forward to talking with you. If you are shy/afraid my suggestion would be speaking to some companies that are not at the top of your list first, that way you can become familiar with the process.”
Tasneem Bootwala
MIS Junior
Internship
KPMG
Advisory – Risk Consulting Intern, Summer 2019
“I have been talking to the recruiter for KPMG since my freshman year at Bauer Honors Student Alumni Board and MISSO events. I attended Discover KPMG, a two day leadership program the summer after my freshman year. The professionals I met during the program were the professionals who ended up interviewing me last semester. I applied to the actual internship at the end of September, and got the offer by the end of October.
No unexpected questions, the interview was more of a conversation because I had already met the professionals interviewing me. Because I had already done so much networking the interview was a breeze. I was the only rising sophomore that attended the Discover KPMG, everyone else was a rising junior. Having that on my résumé made it stand out. I only applied to KPMG, which was pretty risky. I probably should have applied to more places in case KPMG didn’t extend an offer.
Start networking with recruiters early. Even though a lot of companies don’t have positions for freshman, the work you do freshman year will make it much easier for your future self.”
Omar Jamal
MIS Senior
Internships:
Grant Thornton
Audit Intern – Spring 2018, Full Time during busy season
Grow with GT – Sophomore Summer Leadership Program
BBVA Compass
Internal Audit Intern – Summer 2019
Grant Thornton:
“I started planning for Grant Thornton my freshman year, and it wasn’t until my junior year that I was able to finally intern with them.
In short, I spent a really long-time building relationships with people in the company and figuring out how I could add value to their team even before my internship. I was in an interesting position because at this time I was unsure about whether or not I wanted to do accounting (didn’t really enjoy the classes) but I wanted to experience the internship to see if I liked the work.
For both BBVA and Grant Thornton, there weren’t any “difficult” questions outside of the usual behavioral questions. For the Grow program, I interviewed with a senior partner at the firm while I was a freshman. I remember being incredibly nervous but also confident because I knew that I was a good candidate and I had prepared as best as I could. One great thing that I did that year was I ran to become a Bauer Senator in the Student Government Association. The period for the election was after I had already submitted my résumé, and so I still updated my résumé and brought copies of it to the interview.
At the start of the interview, I asked if I could give her an updated copy of my résumé, and she asked what had changed in the short month that I applied. So almost immediately, I was able to have the ball in my court and talk about what I wanted to (becoming a Bauer Senator, my weakness of being an introvert and soliciting votes, and having an incredible opportunity to volunteer for the 2016 Presidential Debate at UH) which boosted my confidence and comfort.
Given my Student Government interest and the context of volunteering at the Presidential Debate, I talked about one of the two big interview taboos: politics. I mentioned that even though I didn’t politically align either way, it was really cool being able to work with conservatives since a majority of people that I had met were liberals, and I was able to explain what I learned about working with people I may not necessarily agree with.”
BBVA:
Internal audit is helping the organization identify which areas it can improve in while supplying the information it needs to accomplish those improvements. There is a heavy data analytics focus in my role at BBVA, which is really exciting as an MIS major because that’s where the industry is heading. More and more companies are trying to find data scientists and data analysts to help them make their decisions. The rate at which we collect data gets faster by the day, and as such, there’s a higher demand for people who can sift through that data and turn it into information.
My journey with BBVA was a lot less deliberate, but I think that encapsulates my college journey pretty well. When I was younger and recruiting with GT and other companies, I really put in a big effort to put myself out there and to experience as much as I could so that I could make the best decision possible. Now, since I’m older and more experienced, I already had a clear idea of what I wanted out of my future internship and job and so I was able to focus, narrow down my search, and tailor myself specifically for these more tech-oriented jobs. The entire process took about a month from applying online to having a phone interview and then having two in person interviews.
My process with BBVA was more recent. In the initial phone interview, my interviewer spent a majority of the time (15 minutes) explaining the role to me and explained the work that they do. That was extremely helpful because he was able to go in depth about the role and preemptively answer questions that I might’ve had. The next 10 minutes I was able to take control and ask questions that I had about BBVA, such as the opportunities for mentorship or opportunities to learn technical skills (such as R or Python) through the company.
For the next round, I ended up going to their main office in Houston and was able to interview with two people that graduated from UH (three years ago), one of them from Bauer with an MIS degree, who worked in the department I would be interning in. What really made this great was my initial interviewer (from the phone interview) ended up calling in on a conference call despite being at the airport waiting for a flight. He was able to steer the discussion in a positive direction and it ended up making the entire process a lot more productive because he was able to tell me more about them as interviewers, and he was also able to tell them about me as a candidate. It was also really nice to see people from UH as my interviewers because they understood where I was coming from. Moral of the story: It’s completely okay if an interview doesn’t go exactly the way you expected. More often than not, it’s better if it feels more like a conversation with a mentor as opposed to a scripted interview with a hiring manager.
There are things that you can do to help establish control in the interview, and the biggest avenue you have to do that is near the end when they ask you if you have any questions. Remember, the point of an interview is two-fold. It allows the employer to see if you’re a good fit for the role or the company, but it also allows you to learn more about the company and clear up questions that you may not be able to Google or find on Glassdoor.
In a nutshell: Take time to figure out what it is that you want. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you have to work at really “prestigious” places, however, every job and every company is different. Find one that fits you and your needs. Don’t look for just a job, look for a career. It can get frustrating sometimes being rejected from place after place, but I challenge you to be positive about your failures, and more importantly, learn from them.
I’m a firm believer in the idea that you can only connect the dots looking backwards. Do your best to learn, grow and trust that things will work out when you look back at your experiences in 5-10 years.”
Zaman Jasani
SCM Junior
Internship:
Southwest Airlines
Supply Chain Tooling Intern, Spring 2019
“I started planning to Intern with Southwest since their first information session back in Spring 2018. More realistically though, I had set plans in the Summer of 2018. I specifically needed to intern in the spring for my future planned timeline. I applied as soon as the positions opened up in August and I got my offer mid-December.
My interviews included a preliminary phone interview and then an in-person behavioral interview. I would highly recommend doing your research and going to an information session for the company you’re applying for. Adjusting your résumé to show what the company looks for is really important. “Servant’s Heart” is something Southwest Airlines looks for so be sure to put a little more information on your resume showing community service. Slipping it into conversation during your interview will help too.
I wish I saved the job descriptions for the roles I applied for. It’s so beneficial to save this and use this to shape your résumé. I was looking for the job descriptions for my applications but found they removed them once applications were closed. Save it early on!
For getting an interview, I’d say join a student organization and show leadership in any way possible. Join a committee, become an officer or display leadership potential in your own way aside from part time work experience. Leadership experience is key to making your résumé stand out. Once you’ve got the interview, start practicing behavioral questions with a friend or mentor. Think back to common questions that have come up in past interviews (or ask a mentor) and simulate the interview. Doing so helps get the jitters out and makes it easier while story-telling in the STAR; it becomes more natural and seems less forced.
Most importantly, I hope to always have a connection to the community around me whether it be through mentoring or service events. UMR Houston has helped me find a way to give back through service events like Project Downtown, a day to come out with friends and make sandwiches for the homeless around Houston. This event happens monthly and constantly keeps me in touch with giving back.”
Erin Kiley
SCM Junior
Internship:
ExxonMobil
Procurement Intern, Summer 2019
“I originally met ExxonMobil recruiters during a tour of their campus I attended with SPO in Spring 2018. They then reached out to me to apply and interview for a Summer 2019 internship.
My first interview was over the phone in Spring 2018. After that initial interview, the recruiter told me to stay in touch and reach out again in the fall because she wanted to hear more about my experience with my upcoming internship (with a different company). In Fall 2018 I reached out to this recruiter letting her know that I was still interested in a Summer 2019 internship. From there I had three more phone interviews and received my official offer in October 2018.
The entire timeline of my recruitment process was from roughly April 2018-October 2018. All my interviews were over the phone, and I had no cases or preliminary exams. Several questions asked were behavioral, but many were geared towards why I wanted to work for ExxonMobil, why I wanted to work in procurement, why I am a supply chain major, and questions directly about work and leadership positions I had on my résumé.
Phone interviews can be difficult because you don’t have a face-to-face interaction with the recruiter and your entire discussion is based off verbal cues. During all my interviews, I made sure that I conveyed my interest and enthusiasm over the phone. Because of this, my interviews felt like natural conversations and I felt as if my interviewer was in the room with me. I know that my confidence and enthusiasm over the phone is one factor that helped me secure my offer. I definitely wish I didn’t worry as much. I think that if you’re truly excited about a company the interview will go well. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare, but instead focus on the good possibilities rather than the bad. When you’re confident in yourself, the company will be more likely to be confident in you, too. Looking back on my interview, I would be very nervous up until it started. Once the interview began, though, I was confident and that is what helped me! I wish I was not as nervous to begin with.
My biggest piece of advice is to know why you are interested in working for the company you’re interviewing with. Anyone can just Google facts about a company, but when you know why you want to work somewhere you sound more passionate and excited about a potential future with that company. It is also important to know what makes the company you’re interviewing with different from other companies that may seem similar. That alone will help set you apart from others.”
Ryan McLean
Finance Senior
Internship:
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Risk and Control Summer Analyst, Summer 2018
“I interned last summer in Dallas in the Corporate Analyst Development Program, but this coming summer, I will be interning here in Houston in the Middle Market Banking and Specialized Industries program in the Commercial Bank.
When I got my first internship, I was a fresh transfer from community college. I knew nothing about internships, and felt incredibly behind when I got here. So, I hit the ground running before classes even started. I went to a recruiting mixer before the start of the semester and reached out to a student organization that could help me navigate the whole process.
When I applied, it was roughly 2-3 weeks until I got the invitation to interview. After the interview, it was about two weeks after that when I received my offer. For my second internship, it moved incredibly quickly, since I was an internal hire. The whole process was about 2 week’s total.
Not that I can remember, it was all pretty standard questions. I never had a case or anything. During my day for my first internship, we played this card game where we were trying to essentially solve a puzzle. We did it in small groups, and had a current employee sitting with us to hear our thought process.
When I was going for my first internship, I never actually met anyone from JPMC before I was invited to hire. However, I did mock interviews and had tons of practice meeting and talking to people that I felt I was really prepared for. When going for my second internship, I was heavily encouraged by everyone at the firm that summer to network and talk to people in many different areas. I definitely did, and ended up talking to the right people and building those relationships to where they sponsored me in my search.
From a previous internship and volunteering, I had experience and basic knowledge of the Middle Market and Commercial Lending and believe this is what put me over the edge. For my second internship, I told the interviewers that I would be taking Professor Lara’s Credit Analysis class before starting with the firm and I believe this resonated with them as well, as Professor Lara used to work for JPMC.
My networking during my first internship came at a price. I did my job, and did it well based on feedback from my boss, but I probably should have waited until after the first internship ended before looking for another program. I think it rubbed my original recruiter the wrong way.
Be bold enough to believe in yourself and your qualifications. Like I said, I came from community college and started, what I feel, behind everyone else. Don’t be afraid to go for what you want!”
Sobia Mohammad
Marketing Junior
Internship:
Edward Jones
Financial Advisor Intern, Summer 2018
“I started looking for a company to intern with at the beginning of Fall 2017, by going to the Bauer Career Fair, General Career Fair, and all others on campus. Towards the end of that semester Edward Jones and I completely connected. Spring 2018 is when the official recruitment process began, and I conducted my interviews. Two months before my start date, I was given the offer.
I was given only behavioral questions. Following up before and after the interview is key. As well as connecting with individuals in a role that you will be surrounded by during your time at the internship. Getting this first-hand exposure makes you stand out as an active and engaging student.
I wish I had given myself more time to consider all of my internship options. I had the idea that sophomores could not get an internship and if you did, you were super lucky. However, doing more research led me to find more opportunities I could have applied for.
Be patient and open minded. Patience is key because the recruitment process takes a long time, considering they are dealing with huge amounts of students and still have to do other parts of their jobs at the same time. Open mindedness will lead to an abundance of opportunities you never believed to be real.
I chose to elaborate on getting involved with organizations on campus. I say this because organizations include every type of exposure you could ask for on campus. Considering I am a social person, I genuinely enjoy being around big groups of people going to socials, volunteering, or even learning new things.”
Nima Nayeri
Accounting and Finance Junior
Internship:
Deloitte
Intern, Summer 2019
“I started networking with Deloitte when I was a freshman at Bauer. Through that I was able to do Alternative Spring Break, a sophomore leadership program in Atlanta, and was able to express my interest in Business Valuation.
After a year of completing that, I was invited to interview for the internship. In fact, I never even applied for the internship. I interviewed in December 2018 and received my offer in January of 2019.
The interview process was all behavioral. Two manager interviews, one senior manager and one partner. Any experience helps tremendously through any recruiting process. I was able to build off of an internship my freshman year to a better internship my sophomore year and then an internship the summer before my junior year that solidified my qualifications. Also, my undergraduate research with the Houston Early Research Experience through the Honors College gave me a great talking point during my interviews.
I wish I was more open about myself and tried to relax more during the interview. Getting to know the company as much as they get to know you is incredibly important. Keep applying and start as early as possible. The job market is very tough and to stay motivated is an uphill battle. Utilize the resources at the Rockwell Career Center and have an accountability partner who can map your goals with you.”
Alexander Nguyen
MIS Senior
Internship:
BKD, LLP
IT Risk Services Intern, Summer 2018 (June-August 2018)
“I always had an interest in IT risk since my start with BKD as an audit intern. During the beginning of my audit internship in January 2018, I started to express my interest in the IT side of things. From January until the end of my internship in March, I networked within the firm to secure my internship in the ITRS practice.
For the most part, my interview with various members of the ITRS team from senior managers to the partner overlooking the practice were behavioral and very casual. It was less about gauging my skills and abilities on account of my performance they already had from my audit internship, and more about how well I fit with members of the team. I think that something that I made a clear effort in doing for recruiting was being persistent about my interest of more than just the firm and the practice, but for the people that make up the team as well. This means getting to know everyone in the practice and learning about what makes them tick.
I’ve always pictured my lateral move in BKD not as a set of interviews, but one consistent, long interview of socializing the networking with my resources. I think that if I could go back and do it all over again, I would be more expressive about my appreciation for the key figures during my recruitment process who weren’t necessarily part of the group of individuals who interviewed me, but rather vouched for me or connected me to the right people. You don’t really think about it, but sometimes all it takes is one person who steers you in the right direction that opens entirely new avenues in your professional career.
I think that a lot of students come under the impression that recruiting is a competitive game where you have to be a certain personality or live up to a certain standard in order to be successful. I think that one of the most difficult things that I have to cope with is trying to live up to standards set by other people. What works for some individuals to get a position might not work with you and that’s completely fine. My advice is to be the most genuine version of yourself that you can be: be honest about you passions and goals and the firm that fits you will find you. There’s no use in pretending to be someone else in order to fit a culture that doesn’t match you.”
Humza Shaikh
Professional Program in Accountancy Graduate Student
Internship:
ExxonMobil
Tax Analyst Intern, Summer 2018
“I would say the recruitment process was about two semesters. During the first semester, I met with the company at a couple of career fairs and information sessions just networking with their employees to get a better understanding of the company and their culture. The next semester was when I applied for the position and went through the interview process.
Most of the questions were behavioral with a few questions added in to get to know me better. One of the biggest assets I think that separated me from the other candidates was my ability to treat the employers as people. I would try to get to know them on a personal basis, make connections, and overall just treat them like a person. I wish I would have created more connections with the employees who were part of the recruiting process. As a way to help me not only for this company but in my future endeavors as well.
Students should know that it’s a long process and always to be on your A-game! Don’t take any encounter with the company lightly. Lastly, the employee’s part of the recruiting team are people as well. They can help you along the way, as long as you’re willing to ask for that help.”
Omer Shaikh
Accounting and Finance Junior
Internship:
Tesla, Inc.
Global Treasury Analyst, Spring 2019 (Jan – May)
“I started the process in November 2018, applying online normally like any other application. I knew I would have to go above-and-beyond to gain traction with a company like Tesla. I connected with a lot of professionals and recruiters via LinkedIn, which eventually led to emailing back-and-forth about advice on how I could be successful in the recruiting process. I reached out to professionals and recruiters with the intention to ask for advice and not for an offer. It was to seek their wisdom through their experiences and unique perspective.
I was able to develop genuine connections through the understanding of my passion to succeed and alignment of values, which truly made Tesla a company I wanted to work for. Once I received the first call for an interview, Tesla required me to complete an essay questionnaire, which detailed my reasoning for candidacy. Once submitted, I waited three weeks to get a call from the recruiter for a final round interview with the Americas Regional Treasurer (my manager). My final round interview was December 26, which was majority behavioral, but had some basic technical questions (data analytics and excel skills). I received the offer the second week of January and the rest is history.
I know I was true to myself through the whole process and was very transparent about my goals and values as company alignment is vital in achieving success.”
Affan Siddiqi
Finance Junior
Internship:
Amazon Inc,
Operations Financial Analyst Intern, starting on May 20, 2019
“I began preparation, professional-development and research for an internship before my junior year even began. I spent the latter portion of my sophomore year practicing for interviews and making sure that my résumé was as polished as could be. I applied to Amazon in September 2018 and received my offer late November 2018.
After successfully moving on from the virtual behavioral interview, I was selected for an in-person interview. The in-person interview was behavioral as well, but I can say that having technical knowledge was what separated those who got an offer from those that did not. I spent an hour or two prior to my interview researching the operational side of the business, understanding the supply chain, and developing a working knowledge of what my role would be in the company. Even if there is no formal technical interview, having that technical knowledge will almost always put you to the front. I understood what the purpose of my role was, the challenges that could possible occur within my role, and the ideal impact should be by the perfect candidate in my role. I used all that to curate strong answers during my interview.
I can’t emphasize this enough, but taking time to learn the technical aspect of my role made a night-and-day difference. Having a working knowledge of the company and their business allowed me to answer each question with confidence, and as if I was prepared to make a difference in the company.
I think for me personally, I was fortunate enough to participate in two prestigious opportunities from both Procter & Gamble and BP last summer, and that definitely beefed up my résumé. I am also grateful to have received a letter of recommendation from my previous internship supervisor. Aside from that, I think that emphasizing your work and leadership experiences really impresses recruiters. I talked about my leadership role in a student organization and how I impacted the organization. I showcased my leadership abilities and assured my interviewer that I could adapt those leadership skills to any situation that I would be put in.
I feel like before applying for the position, I should have done more thorough research on what the position entails. I had a rough idea of what I would be expected to do, but I could not tell you what my day-to-day would look like. When it came time for the digital interview, I was vague and had a lot of filler answers because I was not prepared to tailor my answers towards my position. I quickly learned my mistake and prepared thoroughly for the in-person interviews.
I think that the recruitment process is often an anxiety-inducing time period for many students. The pressure is on, and competition is at its highest. If you change the way that you look at recruitment, you can see that a lot of professional development actually occurs during this time period. For example, during the recruitment process, I find myself watching videos on public speaking and how to speak with power. I watch TED Talks on how to speak with articulation and in a way that will gauge the listener. I listen to podcasts on what makes a strong interview. I find myself practicing speaking professionally to those around me. I don’t think I have grown in a more dramatic way than I have during the recruitment process.
Here are some recommendations that have worked well for me:
- Revise your résumé over, and over, and over again. Anytime you participate in a case competition, increase your GPA, move up the ladders in an organization, or receive an award, put that on your résumé. Constantly get it reviewed by peers, faculty, and professionals. Your resume is what earns you the opportunity to interview.
- Differentiate your interview answers. An interviewer will ask you the same exact questions that they ask the rest of the hundreds of applicants. What really sets you apart is how well you can tailor your experiences and skills with the position that you are applying for. Develop the fake (or real) confidence that you are the perfect embodiment of someone in the role that you are applying for. What kinds of qualities and characteristics does that perfect figure have? What, in your past experiences, show that you CAN become that perfect candidate for the position? Don’t use cliché answers. I guarantee you that getting through an interview does not mean moving on. Learn the standard behavioral interview questions and have an idea as to how you’d answer it. Really showcase why YOU deserve the position more than anyone else. Emphasize what YOU bring to the table that others can’t.
- Ask great questions after the interview. I think that the questions that I’ve asked my interviewers at the end are like putting a cherry on top. If you can ask great questions, you differentiate yourself from the rest of the candidates. Your interviewer can remember the one candidate who gauged their interest and genuinely showed signs of curiosity. One question that I love asking interviewers that drops their jaws and silences them for a few seconds goes something like this, “I know that asking what you like about the company says a lot, but if I were to ask you what you DON’T like, that would tell me even more. Is there anything that you don’t like about your role or company?” I think that question has definitely differentiated me from the rest of the candidate pool on several occasions.
- Learn about the industry that you wish to go into. If you’re looking to go into investment banking, pay attention to the current trends in the market. If you’re looking to apply to a specific firm, stay up to date with their activities, possible acquisitions, and general status. Having that knowledge automatically puts you in front of the line amongst the rest of the competitors.
- Networking is not the only way. I am not the greatest fan of networking and meeting with professionals. To me, the conversations seem forced and I never fail to walk out of a networking event with more stress than I had going in. If you’re like me, don’t think that networking events are your only avenues to opportunities. None of the interviews that I was selected for came from networking events. However, I am aware that networking events are an EXCELLENT way to build connections and have recruiters remember you. I am surrounded with people who have nothing but great stories from networking, but everyone is different. Don’t let your disinterest for socializing with professionals halt your recruitment process.
- Apply everywhere. I have probably sent over 300 applications during my recruitment stage. I applied to places from small, local sales firms to major investment banks in Zurich, Switzerland. I applied for roles in marketing, finance, accounting, supply chain, MIS, and everything in between. Of course, that doesn’t mean to sacrifice the quality of your applications in attempt to mass-market yourself, but it does mean to keep your options open. Your chances of getting an interview are much greater if you apply to several places and that allows for you to have options. I use LinkedIn as a source of finding internships as well as simply typing “[major] internships in [city]” on Google. I made it a goal to apply for at least three positions every day for months.
- Keep interviewing and don’t let rejections slow you down. I have interviewed at the final about 10+ times in four different cities across the nation. Of those, I received offers from only five. I have woken up to more rejection emails than any other email in my life. I have read the line “Sorry, but we decided to move on with other candidates” more times than I would have liked. Don’t let those rejections slow your momentum. Each interview that I don’t move on with, is a learned experience that will help me for the next interview.”
Konstantinos Vogiatzis
Accounting Junior
Internship:
Air Liquide
Accounting Intern, Summer 2019
“I will be interning with the Financial Planning & Reporting team, which is responsible for providing timely, accurate financial information and analysis to the business. I started my internship search late Fall 2019. I used the winter break to research various corporations’ internship opportunities. I went to an Air Liquide information session hosted by the Rockwell Career Center in mid-February after finding several appealing opportunities. A few days after, I stopped by the Air Liquide booth at the Bauer Career Fair and had a conversation with the recruiter and several professionals. Several hours after the career fair, I received an invitation to interview the next week and was asked to submit a formal application. After my interview, it took approximately three days to receive my offer.
Air Liquide was very efficient throughout the entire process. It took about two weeks from start to finish. The questions were on par with my expectations. I was asked behavioral questions regarding my leadership capabilities and questions that gauged my knowledge in the company. I believe that my personalize approach is what helped me stand out. I made it a point to take notes on every person I interacted with in the company. I then reviewed those notes prior to the career fair and interview and used them to start discussions. I also sent a follow-up email after every interaction I had with every person, letting them know how much I enjoyed our conversation and thanking them for their time. I believed that all my personalized notes allowed me to stand out during this competitive process.
I wish I asked specifically about the different accounting departments that there were opportunities in. I am happy with my placement; however, I was under the wrong assumption that all interns would have the same role. Make a list of all the internship opportunities you’re interested in applying to and the deadlines for those applications. It is important to stay organized, so you do not miss any deadlines.”