Exceeding Expectations: My Schneider Downs Experience

The August going into my junior year of  college I created a list of goals I wanted to accomplish throughout the school year. My top priority was finding an internship.  I was not sure where I wanted to intern or what type of accounting internship I was looking for. Eventually, I decided that my goal was to get an audit internship with a public accounting firm. Through Penn State’s career service department I was able to narrow my list down to a few companies that I wanted to apply to.  I was thrilled when I saw Schneider Downs listed as one of the companies listed on Penn State’s career service website, right away I knew Schneider Downs was one of the companies I wanted to send a resume to.

I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation for an on campus interview with Schneider Downs. The day before the on campus interview, Schneider Downs hosted a meet and greet event for all of interviewees. At the event I had the opportunity to speak with various members of Schneider Downs ranging from new hires to shareholders. After spending time talking with the members from Schneider Downs, I knew Schneider Downs was the type of company that I wanted to be a part of. The members of Schneider Downs were more interested in getting to know me rather than sell me on their company. The next day, before the interview, I was anxious but at ease after speaking with members of Schneider Downs. The on campus interview was not the same as other interviews. My interview was more of a conversation between myself and the interviewer, rather than classroom or behavioral type questions. After the interview, I had the privilege of advancing to the next round of interviews, and eventually accepting an offer to complete an audit internship at Schneider Downs.

Now, after working with Schneider Downs this summer, I can say that the internship exceeded my expectations. Each week of the internship I was able to work with a new team of employees and new client every week. Each member of Schneider Downs that I worked with regardless of their title was more than happy to assist and teach me along the way. Despite not completing an audit course prior to the internship, the Schneider Downs staff provided an endless amount of knowledge and expertise that allowed me to complete the assignments that I was given on a weekly basis. I am extremely thankful and appreciative to all of the members of Schneider Downs that I was able to work with and meet throughout my internship. I look forward to applying the experience and knowledge that I have gained from my internship at Schneider Downs throughout my accounting career and my final year in school.

Read more about Schneider Downs internships here.