Internships
Internships result in full-time job offers,
paid work experience, & travel
Internships are an integral part of the MAcy program. One internship may count as six credit hours toward the degree requirements and also as one accounting course toward qualifying to sit for the CPA exam. Some students work in two different internships (in separate semesters) to fully explore which area of the profession they want to pursue after graduation. MAcy students agree that working in an internship makes a big difference in how they see their other coursework and in their perspectives on the profession. Descriptions of selected aspects of their internships are provided below by some of our MAcy students.
Big City, Big Opportunities
Angel DePrizio (BBA '22 & MAcy '24) It may have been an accident or serendipity or good fortune that Angel shared an elevator with the Chief of Staff for Global Operations at the audit firm where he interned. They struck up a conversation and the Chief of Staff described global travel and opportunities in a Big 4 firm and work experience that is "second to none." In part because he is a first-gen college student, Angel says "This interaction made me grateful for choosing an internship in a large office in a large city. I understand why some students want smaller firms and smaller locales...but, a big city appeals to me." Angel also says it was beneficial, heartwarming, and a great team building experience to do community service for two days with colleagues, performing varied work for the Houston Food Bank and the Children's Museum of Science.
International Team
Anderson Berndt (BBA '22 & MAcy '24) His internship was at a Houston-based CPA and accounting firm that provides audit, tax, and business advisory services to public and private middle-market businesses. It gave Anderson some experiences that he had not expected from his internship. His first engagement was with the largest cattle ranch in the U.S. and he was fascinated by the complexities of their financial records. He was also on an engagement with most of the other team members overseas in South Africa. Anderson notes, "It was an interesting way to communicate as I had a meeting with them in the morning "Texas time" before they logged off [7 hours ahead of our office]...then, I worked most of the day solo. I loved it!".
Travel & Teamwork
Greyson Kash (BBA '22 & MAcy '23) worked for two different public accounting firms in two different internships (one in tax and one in audit) and a third internship in accounting. "One of the most interesting parts of my most recent internship [in audit] was the opportunity to travel to Corpus Christi. We stayed there for about 10 days. I thoroughly enjoyed the travel and bonding with my team during dinner and work."
Big 4 Training
Matt Haden (BBA '22 & MAcy '23) Having worked throughout his college career in a restaurant, Matt was glad to have a paid internship at a public accounting firm as part of the MAcy program. He describes the beginning of the internship process as very interesting when the Big 4 firm was interviewing prospects and took all of them to a training facility in Florida. "Unlimited food, a great gym, and a great training experience. It provided a very thorough introduction to what they are like as a company and what it would be like to work there."
Data Analytics
Michael Joseph (BA '14 double major in Mass Comm/Public Relations & Spanish & MAcy '23) Michael's internship at a Big 4 firm involved working with their Quantitative Services group, specifically the Alteryx group. He completed a data analytics class in the MAcy program where he had learned Alteryx. "The Alteryx certification I received in that class afforded me a unique internship experience that was beyond that of my fellow interns from other universities. I was able to leverage that certification to be involved in more in-depth analysis for clients."
Connecting with Colleagues
Ryanne Loredo (BBA '22 & MAcy '23) Describing her internship experience at a Big 4 firm as wonderful, Ryanne says she was "able to make so many connections with colleagues in the office. The team of individuals I worked with made me feel included and welcomed in the firm. I worked with more than 20 different clients and also helped recruit students at luncheon events, participated in company trivia nights, and so much more." It definitely exceed her expectations. Ryanne accepted a full-time position with the firm where she interned.
From DJ & Headed to CPA
Saidif Mejia (BBA '22 & MAcy '24) As an undergraduate accounting major, Saidif spent a lot of time working as a DJ and Programming Director for Texas State's student-led radio station, KTSW. Now, as a MAcy student, he is fully devoted to completing his graduate degree in 2024 and that included an internship in auditing. Saidif worked out of the Austin office of a public accounting firm and notes how much he enjoyed traveling to and spending four days in Chicago where one of their clients is headquartered.
Downtown, Fast Paced
“Another MAcy student was working at the same firm where I did my internship. It was great to have our internships & classes together, too.”
— KENDALL MOSLEY
Kendall Mosley (BBA '22 & MAcy '23) Because she was confident about wanting to be employed in the tax area after graduation, Kendall undertook two tax internships (in separate semesters) at two different Big 4 public accounting firms. In the most recent internship, she was in the Austin office and loved being downtown and working in such a fast-paced environment. "It was very satisfying to see that I could apply the concepts I had learned in my academic courses to the real-life work with clients."
Confirmed Plans for CPA
Jason Juarez Renteria (BBA '22 & MAcy '23) Jason thoroughly enjoyed his internship, particularly being part of a team of problem solvers, addressing complex business issues, beginning with strategies and seeing them through to execution. He was assigned to the health care industry and he saw first-hand the unique nature of the client's inventory and the vast documentation required in that area. The client was publicly traded which meant he also got a good understanding of the requirements and processes for filing quarterly reports. Jason describes one of many highlights of his internship as meeting other interns from across Texas and from the firm's Boston and Chicago offices. "Communicating with other people who had the same career goals as mine reinforced my decision to pursue a career in accounting and to become a CPA."