Internships are an important part of career development, both for the intern and the employer.

The real-world experience provided by an internship plays a very important role in career development. Initial classroom learning is rich with foundational topics, and students do also experience experiential learning in school. For example, group projects provide experience working with others. However, the importance of putting knowledge to the test in a real-world environment is invaluable — providing a bridge to that next career step.

In a classroom group project, all the information required might be neatly summarized in a few pages for the assignment, and students are tasked to work with that information — complete calculations, do research, etc. However, an internship provides the next logical step in problem-solving, where employees must figure out what information is needed, all while the available information is endless. Employees may need to speak with clients to get the information they need. This whole transition can be a bit overwhelming, and an internship allows young professionals to make this next step in a structured and guided environment. In addition, internships allow students to explore different career areas to see what a right fit for them might be.

Why are internships equally important for accounting firms?

Firms that provide internships are inspiring the next generation of accountants. The internship is a firm’s chance to show talented young professionals everything the business has to offer:

• The fantastic firm culture
• The extensive benefits
• The interesting clients and learning opportunities
• The way that accounting services truly help businesses

In addition, internships provide firms access to a new generation of employees who come equipped with fresh ideas and skills in areas such as technology and social media — a valuable addition to any firm!