In this “Internship Experience” blog post series, we will be featuring the profile and thoughts of our students from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management as they return from summer internships.
Name: Lindsay Cohn
Graduation Year: May 2021
Major(s): Finance / Advertising (Whitman/Newhouse dual major)
Hometown: Hewlett, NY
Intern Company/Title: KPMG – Summer Intern: Financial Crimes and Analytics
Describe your position and some of your daily tasks?
Due to COVID-19, our hands-on experience has been limited due to confidentiality issues going through different networks. However, I have been completing training modules and attending meetings with different mentors in my specific department, as well as meetings with higher up professionals responsible for the entire internship program. I have completed courses on firm-wide policies and have even learned how COVID-19 has impacted the firm and how their future may be impacted by it. I am most excited to complete the department-specific activities that are scheduled over the next two weeks.
How did you land your internship?
After attending the Whitman Career Fair in the Fall of 2019, I decided to apply to KPMG following my conversation with one of the representatives. It was throughout this conversation that I learned about the financial crimes division and was confident this was the position for me. This was followed by a pre-interview dinner at Dinosaur BBQ and a second interview right at Whitman. Prior to meeting with the KPMG representative, I wasn’t even aware that the Forensic Financial Crimes Division existed – I was intrigued immediately.
What did you learn from your internship experience?
I am still in the midst of my internship, but I have learned the importance of being flexible. Given the unforeseen circumstances COVID-19 has had worldwide, KPMG had to completely alter their original plans that they initially had set for the summer internship program. Instead of canceling the experience for all of us, they were flexible and found a way to introduce a new experience with a completely interactive virtual program. Although this was not something learned from the specific work done, the way that KPMG was able to change their plans and make the internship both worthwhile and engaging has taught me the importance of flexibility.
Has your experience changed your plans or career choice when you leave college?
I was extremely fortunate to have received a full-time offer with KPMG beginning next summer. While it is still early into the internship, simply by the organization’s culture, dedication and engagement with the interns, I am even more excited and eager to begin my career at KPMG post-graduation.
How has the Whitman School prepared you for your internship?
From the day I walked into the Whitman School, I knew that having an internship was a must and that Whitman would prepare me in the best possible way. I have gone to the Whitman Career Fairs, attended meetings with individual companies and have even networked with representatives from these same companies at more intimate events. The Whitman Career Center has been a great source of guidance and information. My career advisor has assisted revamping and revising my resume, helped to format a cover letter and even helped me to connect with alumni in my major. When it came time for me to apply for internships at the beginning of my junior year, I felt as if I was ready to take on the challenges of both applying and interviewing.
What did you enjoy most about your experience?
I have enjoyed the interaction with the KPMG professionals and the promise of the opportunity to grow within the organization. The encouragement from these professionals and the emphasis on the team environment is most appealing as Whitman has always emphasized the importance of being a part of a team.
Do you have any advice to students who are looking for an internship?
I would tell any student applying for an internship to apply to as many companies as you can, but at the same time, do not get discouraged if you don’t hear back from them all. The process is as grueling as the college admissions process, and just like people say with the college process, you will end up where you belong. I encourage students to utilize the Whitman Career Center, attend all career fairs and be open to all opportunities presented to you, even if you initially thought you did not have an interest in the organization.
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