Hey, Hounds! This week, we are highlighting Alyson Simpson ’25 and her internship experience at E.J. Callahan & Associates. Alyson’s summer internship at E.J. Callahan & Associates was a multifaceted experience, offering her a deep dive into the world of accounting in the office and at client sites. Her time was occupied by various tasks, including conducting research and presentation skills. Read more to learn about Alyson’s typical day as an intern, her major projects and achievements, and how this experience has shaped her career goals and professional growth!
Describe a typical day as an intern. What were your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities?
A typical day as a summer intern at E.J. Callahan & Associates was either in the office or during a client site visit. When in the office, I would be assigned to certain clients and help prep for the fieldwork. This typically involved using programs like Engagement, Tableau, Document, and other accounting software. I would be able to reach out to anyone in the office for questions and advice. Once I completed those projects, I was able to work on a research project that would be presented at the end of the summer. Additionally, there would typically be presentations every Thursday called “Lunch and Learns,” where the office would be able to learn from other coworkers as they would present a certain topic to everyone. When out in the field, this would look similar, but at the client’s office. Being out in the field I was able to see how all of the prep work gets put together. Additionally, there is a lot of client interaction to maintain those client relationships.
Were you involved in any major projects or accomplishments as an intern?
Yes, I was involved in a research project that we worked on throughout the whole summer. Each intern was assigned to a new staff member. My partner and I decided to research the Challenges and Opportunities within the accounting industry. This research allowed me to expand my knowledge and keep busy throughout the summer. I then got to work on my presenting skills, especially in a professional setting, once we presented. We presented to the whole firm and were able to share our research.
What are your career goals? How will this internship help you reach those goals?
My career goals are to always continue learning new things and to challenge myself. I am planning to get my CPA. After I graduate, I plan to continue my education to fulfill the 150 credit requirements. I eventually want to be a licensed CPA and work in public accounting. This internship helped me to realize that this is something I like doing. I was able to learn from professionals in the firm along with learning as I did my own work.
What are your key takeaways from your experience? What skills did you gain from this internship?
I learned so much during this internship and made great connections. I was able to apply my knowledge from Assumption and see it as extremely useful in a professional work environment. I was also able to learn about accounting software and systems. I really enjoyed going out on fieldwork, gaining client relationships, and seeing how the Auditors work out in the field and in the office. A big takeaway from the internship was the connections I made with everyone at the firm, as they are all so welcoming and truly want to see the interns and everyone at the firm succeed. I learned new personal skills by being able to work professionally and adapt to challenges by stepping out of my comfort zone.
Why did you apply to this internship? What aspects of the position/company interested you?
One of my friends had interned here last summer and recommended this internship to me, so I applied. The interview process was great and truly made me feel welcomed and wanted. When speaking to my friend, she discussed the wonderful work environment and all of the new things she was learning. These all brought a lot of interest to me and ultimately led me to apply.
How has your Assumption career prepared you for this internship?
Assumption’s accounting classes have prepared me for many of the problems and projects that I was assigned to. In classes at Assumption, I had to work on group projects and present them to the class. This helped prepare me for the professional presentation. Assumption’s CDIC also helped me with my resume and gave many interview tips that helped prepare me for the interview process.
What advice would you give to a student who wants to participate in an internship?
The advice I would give to a student who wants to participate in an internship would be to go for it and step out of your comfort zone. There are no dumb questions, so always ask. The company hosting the internship is there to help you and wants you to succeed. Internships are for learning and getting a feel of what your future could look like, so don’t hold back and ask all of your questions. Challenge yourself because, at the end of the day, that is how we all learn. Interact with your coworkers and make connections, try not to shy away!! If there is a company event or social aspect, go to it! Go in with a positive mindset and attitude, it truly makes a difference not only for you, but it could for others as well!
If you are interested in being featured on Highlighting Hounds, please email us at careerdevelopment@assumption.edu!
