Internship and Career Planning

Internships and Co-ops

The School of Accountancy encourages everyone to intern or co-op at least once during their undergraduate program. Internships and co-ops in public accounting are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Industry, government and not-for-profit internships are usually summer experiences.

Ideally, students should complete two internships or a co-op experience: one in industry, government or a not-for-profit entity during the summer between their junior and senior years and another in public accounting in the Spring semester of their senior year. These experiences will help you decide whether to begin your professional career in industry, government, not-for-profit or public accounting.

Three hours of internship credit are available through ACCT 3990 or LAW 3990. Students must register for the internship course (ACCT 3990 or LAW 3990) before the last day to add a class for the semester.

Questions about accounting internships and co-ops should be addressed to Amy Littleton, 432 Wilbur O. and Ann Powers Hall, 864-656-3245.

Internship and Co-op Interviews

Companies interviewing for internships usually arrange to interview through the Michelin Career Center. To be considered for an interview, you must attend a career center workshop, publish your resume on ClemsonJobLink and indicate with whom you would like to interview. Internship providers receive your resume from ClemsonJobLink and, from the resumes provided, select the candidates they wish to interview. Please be advised that each interview has deadlines for filing a request to be considered for an interview. For more information, consult the career center website.

Co-op interviews and experiences are coordinated through the Cooperative Education Program in the Center for Career and Professional Development. Normally, co-op students complete two semesters of full-time work with back-to-back rotations or alternating between class and work. For more information, please contact the Co-op Program.

Career Planning

Watch this video about the different degree plans and career paths available with an accounting degree!

Job offers will not come to you unless you prepare and search. Your preparation begins your freshman year and continues until you receive your degree(s). You are currently "writing" your resume through your selection of coursework, activities and work experience. You want to "write" a resume that will distinguish you, get you noticed by recruiters and bring you interviews. Careers do not happen; they are made!

Resources:

• ClemsonJobLink Cheat Sheet - Step-by-step instructions on registering with ClemsonJobLink, creating your profile, uploading documents, searching for job opportunities, applying for a position, signing up for on-campus interviews and finding employer information sessions.
• Accounting Career Paths - This link takes you to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) website "Start Here Go Places." This website is designed to introduce the accounting profession to high school and college students. It is a good source of information about the accounting profession.
• Accounting Certifications - This website identifies some of the different accounting certifications that may be obtained through education, testing and/or experience. These certifications are described and links are given to their sponsoring organizations, where they are described in more detail along with providing the educational, testing and/or experience required to obtain the certification.
• Becoming a CPA in South Carolina - This page describes South Carolina's requirements to become licensed as a CPA. Please note that each CPA jurisdiction (typically a state) has its own education and experience requirements.
• Free AICPA Student Membership - This link takes you to the AICPA website where you may register as a student member (no membership fee).

Career Engagement Resources

The Office of Career and Global Engagement in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business offers several resources for students and employers to connect.

• Business JobLink is your connection to job postings for internships and jobs exclusively for business students.
• Employers-in-residence are available on-site to help guide students with questions about the job search, resumes, interviews and more. For more information, visit the Career Suite (123 Powers Hall) daily from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Drop-in one-on-one career counseling will be available each Thursday from 1:30-3:45 p.m. Center for Career and Professional Development representatives will be in the Career Suite (123 Powers Hall). Students can drop by the Career Suite or schedule an appointment at the Center for Career and Professional Development.
• The Business Network is an online platform for students to ask quick questions to alumni and friends of Clemson and sign up for 1:1 mentoring and Peer-to-Peer Mentoring.
• Networking events and workshops scheduled throughout the semester provide opportunities to practice your networking skills and build relationships with employers that may lead to internships or jobs. Check the events calendar for more information.
• Be sure to read the weekly Office of Career and Global Engagement newsletter for upcoming events and details. Business students are automatically enrolled to receive this newsletter.
• Career and Professional resources are available 24/7 for students to access.
• The Michelin Career Center in the Center for Career and Professional Development offers additional career resources and 1:1 career advising appointments.