Freshmen

Freshman Internship Recruiting Strategy

As a freshman, your focus should be on gaining any good office experience in finance, accounting, or related fields. Don't worry about finding the "perfect" internship or landing a position at a prestigious firm.

The Reality Check

If you cannot land an internship as a freshman, it will not ruin your career. Many successful accounting professionals did not have internships during their freshman year. What matters most is building your professional foundation, even if it's through part-time office work, volunteer positions, or administrative support roles.

The Strategic Advantage

The real upside of gaining any office experience (whether it's in finance, accounting, or another business field) is that you will have concrete experiences and stories to talk about during Big 4 recruiting and interviews.

When you're interviewing for sophomore or junior year internships at Big 4 firms, being able to discuss:

Real workplace experiences and challenges you've faced
How you've demonstrated professionalism and reliability
What you've learned about business operations
Your growth and development over time

...will set you apart from candidates who have no work experience to draw upon.

Important: Don't Waste Time on Junior-Only Positions

Do not apply to internships that explicitly state they only recruit juniors. You will not get the position even if you have a perfect resume. Firms are strict about their class-year requirements. Instead, focus your time and energy on opportunities that are specifically designed for freshmen or open to freshmen. This will maximize your chances of success.

Consider Non-Profit Work

Working for a non-profit organization can be an excellent option for freshmen, whether the role is in accounting or not. Non-profit positions offer several advantages:

Resume value - Non-profit experience demonstrates community engagement and social responsibility, which looks great to employers
Meaningful impact - You'll have a summer where you can actually make a positive difference in your community
Transferable skills - Even if not accounting-specific, you'll gain valuable professional skills (communication, organization, project management) that apply to any career
Unique stories - Non-profit work provides compelling examples for future interviews about leadership, problem-solving, and commitment to values
Networking opportunities - Non-profits often have boards and supporters from the business community, expanding your professional network

Many non-profits actively seek summer interns and volunteers, making them more accessible than traditional corporate internships. Look for local non-profits in your area, or consider organizations related to causes you care about.

Key Takeaways

Any office experience is valuable - finance, accounting, administration, business-related, or non-profit work
Not landing an internship won't hurt you - focus on what you can control
Think long-term - experiences now become interview stories later
Build your narrative - every experience teaches you something you can discuss
Non-profit work is valuable - it looks great on resumes and lets you make a positive community impact

Resources

Essential platforms and resources to help you find and apply for internship opportunities.

Handshake

Resource: Job Search Platform

Handshake is a leading career platform for college students and recent graduates. Many companies post internship opportunities specifically for students on Handshake. Check your university's Handshake portal regularly for new postings.

Visit Handshake →

Resource: Professional Networking & Job Search

LinkedIn is essential for networking with professionals, researching companies, and finding internship opportunities. Build your profile, connect with alumni and recruiters, and use LinkedIn's job search features to discover openings at accounting firms.

Visit LinkedIn Jobs →

Your University Career Services

Resource: On-Campus Career Support

Your university's career services office offers resume reviews, interview preparation, career counseling, and access to exclusive job postings. They often host career fairs, networking events, and employer information sessions. Schedule an appointment early in your search.

Contact your university's career services office directly for access and resources.

r/accounting

Resource: Reddit Community

The r/accounting subreddit is a valuable online community where accounting students and professionals share advice, experiences, and insights about internships, careers, and the accounting profession. Browse discussions, ask questions, and learn from others who have navigated the internship process.

Visit r/accounting →

Freshman Internship Opportunities

Companies offering internship opportunities specifically for first-year students.

Data Source: The companies listed below were identified through LinkedIn data analysis of past students who worked at these firms during their freshman summer. This research helps identify companies with a track record of hiring first-year students.

Methodology: These companies are identified as having potential to recruit freshmen. They are identified through (1) precedent of a student on LinkedIn having an internship during freshman year, or (2) a recruiter told Ledger Launch that they recruit freshmen.

Greater Boston Area

Deloitte Discovery

Location: Boston and other major cities

Discovery program for first-year students to explore careers at Deloitte through early exposure and mentorship.

PwC Start

Location: Boston and other major cities

Discovery program designed for first-year students to explore professional services careers at PwC.

EY Launch

Location: Boston and other major cities

Discovery program for first-year students interested in accounting careers at EY.

KPMG Embark

Location: Boston and other major cities

Discovery program designed for first-year students to learn about KPMG and the accounting profession. This program is specifically for community college students.

The Boston Fed

Location: Boston

Provides internship opportunities for first-year students interested in finance and economics.

South Shore Bank

Location: South Weymouth

Provides internship opportunities for first-year students interested in banking and financial services.

Tips for Freshmen:

Focus on getting any work experience - it doesn't have to be accounting-specific
Consider non-profit work - great for your resume and allows you to make a positive community impact
Apply early - many programs have early fall deadlines
Research diversity programs if you qualify - these can be great opportunities
Maintain a strong GPA (3.0+) while gaining experience
Join accounting student organizations for networking
Attend career fairs and firm information sessions
Don't be discouraged if you don't get an internship - any work experience helps

Resume Booster Opportunities

Resume booster opportunities are short programs, often less than a week, that firms provide to help students learn about the firm and the accounting profession. These programs often strengthen an application at that firm for the following summer. Look up the programs online, and if they are not accepting applications, ask your recruiter when they will be open.