KPMG: A great place to build your career starts with your summer internship

You can be what you see

It all started with me in 1984 after graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in accounting. It was then, I started my own KPMG journey that would take me from our offices in Short Hills to Mexico City, Denver and Dallas.

My professional career has only known one firm – KPMG. Never in my wildest dreams did I think when I started as a first-year associate in the Short Hills office that my career with the firm would have me experiencing different cities and countries. Each part of my journey has made me whole, and I’ve improved as a professional along the way.

However, my first true experience with KPMG was when I interned from January to March in 1984. It was my first exposure to the corporate world, and opened my eyes to what my future could be like. It was from that experience that I knew that I didn’t want just a job, but a career with the firm.

Your summer internship

This summer, thousands of college students across the country will embark on a summer internship with various firms. As office managing partner and former national managing partner for campus recruiting, I’ll meet our new class of KPMG Dallas summer interns, and I’ll reiterate what an incredible opportunity the internship can provide. I’m living proof of what can happen to someone if they want a career with KPMG. On that note, during my tenure with the firm, the traits that I’ve seen that have led interns to thrive and excel at the firm include the following:

Have a positive attitude - it’s natural to surround yourself with individuals that will have a positive impact in your life. It’s no different at KPMG or anywhere else. A great culture begins with you and how you approach and view your role, but most importantly how you interact with others.

Raise your hand - I know it can be an intimidating environment when you walk into a corporate office, but don’t be shy to raise your hand to ask a question or to step up and volunteer or take on an assignment.

Be willing to learn - we don’t expect our interns to know every technical aspect as it relates to one of our functions (Audit, Tax, and Advisory), but not knowing is different from not taking the step to learn and grow. Along those lines, be able to take constructive feedback, the learning curve can be steep or shallow depending on the individual receiving feedback and being able to implement change. Also, take advantage of the numerous training programs provided during the internship – our programs are specifically tailored for interns.

Build relationships - invest time on building relationships with your fellow interns, and the professionals you encounter during your internship. Like all things in life, the more time you invest and put into it, the more you will get out of it.

Go the extra mile - nothing should be too big or too small to be involved with. Take the initiative to be involved, and you’ll stand out with the people you’ll end up working with, and understand how each assignment is critical to the overall engagement.

Have fun - this is your summer, so enjoy all the activities that our campus recruiting team has organized for you during the internship program.

Wherever you begin your summer internship, just remember that everyone you meet was new to the firm at one point. We’ve all been there, and understand all of the anxiety, trepidation, and excitement that comes with it. Just remember, we’re all here for YOU, and we want each of you to excel and grow. So don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone for a helping hand.

Have a great internship!