"A summer internship at Monroe Shine" by Intern Riley Winslow

 Hi everyone! My name is Riley Winslow and this summer I had a great internship experience with Monroe Shine. I had just finished my sophomore year at Marshall University and had no Accounting work experience. I wanted the opportunity to observe the environment of a firm to see what my future career path holds. I’d thought I was going to intern at a different firm, but it fell through at the last minute leaving very few options available. That’s when I contacted Monroe Shine asking if there was anything I could do around the office, just to be of some help, while also observing how business was run at the firm.

I received a quick response, had an interview the next day, and then was able to get started soon after. I was welcomed in with open arms and everyone was very friendly! In my roll as Administrative Intern, I directed phone calls and interacted with clients when they visited the office. I gained knowledge on how to professionally handle tough situations, honed my customer service skills, and made many new connections.

I’m so glad that this company is providing not just high quality services, but high quality people, for the betterment of our community. I am so thankful for the opportunity that Monroe Shine provided me, and I very much look forward to coming back again next summer!

~ Riley Winslow (A 2022 Summer Administrative Accounting Intern)

"My Experience as a Summer Administrative Accounting Intern" by Intern Zoe Libs

Hi! My name is Zoe and I am a rising sophomore at Indiana University Bloomington where I am majoring in Accounting. I plan to graduate in the Fall of 2023. I was added to the Monroe Shine team in May 2021 as an Administrative Accounting Intern and I’ve learned a lot in my short time with the company.

Even though I came to Monroe Shine with only one year of college under my belt, I feel as though I’ve gained a lot of insight into the world of public accounting. Being a part of the regular day to day operations of the company has reassured me that accounting is the right career path for me. I have contributed to different projects as well as standard daily procedures. This has allowed me to be a part of the entire company, not just one area.

I think that all students should try to be a part of a summer internship in order to gain experience as a young professional. In my time with Monroe Shine I have learned so much about professionalism and working in an office setting. Having worked in other typical “teenager jobs” like babysitting and food service, the more professional atmosphere has given me additional skills to use going forward. Another way I have found to grow my network as a young professional has been through the Women in Accounting club at IU. This group of young women comes together to meet with professionals and learn from their experience.

My advice to you, coming from a sophomore with a lot to learn herself, is to put yourself out there and meet as many people as you can. Growing your future is all about making connections and extending your network. You can never have too much experience and there’s always more to be learned. I have really enjoyed learning from some of the best in the business here at Monroe Shine and I wish you luck on your mission to find an internship!

~ Zoe Libs (A 2021 Summer Administrative Accounting Intern)

""How an Administrative Accounting Internship Helped Me!" by Intern Emily Chumbley

Hi!  My name is Emily.  I am working on completing my MBA, and I should be done with it in Fall 2020.  I completed my undergraduate career at Morehead State University where I studied Accounting, and I am working on my graduate degree through their online program.  I am currently a summer intern at Monroe Shine.  I started my internship in January 2020 as a spring  administration accounting intern and I was asked to stay on through the summer. 

            Since I am working on my MBA, I wanted an internship that was part time, so I could gain experience in the field I have a degree in but also stay full time in school and have time to get my schoolwork done.  Monroe Shine was great at arranging a way for me to do this.  They hired me on as an administrative intern, and then I transitioned to an accounting intern once my semester was over. 

            Working as an administrative intern and then an accounting intern, I have been able to learn a lot and pickup new skills.  I have also witnessed how work is done throughout the firm, which is beneficial because I know the processes for many different jobs now.  When the accounting work is slow, I can work on administrative work; when the administrative work is slow, I can work on accounting work.  It’s very nice if you’re someone who likes to stay busy.  However, it does get slow in all departments at some point.  Prepare yourself for that. 

            I think as an undergraduate student, it is very important to complete an internship.  Don’t put it off.  Attend the career fairs your school puts on.  Get involved in the Accounting Club or other related activities.  When I was an undergraduate student at Morehead, they offered an elective course during tax season called Practicum Income Tax Accounting.  The course started in January, where you began training to become a certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteer.  I worked as a VITA volunteer completing returns for low-income families and college students until tax season was over.  It was a great experience and it was fun to put my education to work.  If your school offers this opportunity, take it.  You will not regret it.

Good luck in your search to find an internship!  Monroe Shine is a great place to work!  Their open door policy makes asking questions less intimidating, and it seems friendlier, in my opinion.  I have really enjoyed my time here!

~ Emily Chumbley (A 2020 Spring Administrative Accounting Intern & a 2020 Summer Accounting Monroe Shine Intern)

"Advice for Future Interns!" by Intern, Reynaldo (Rey) Sierra-Escobedo

Hey everyone! My name is Reynaldo Sierra-Escobedo, but I also go by Rey! I have did a Spring internship this last Spring and am currently doing a Summer internship here at Monroe Shine! When I was asked to write a little something about what I wish I knew as a younger student for our recruiting blog I was happy to help! 

Sometimes students struggle on what career path they should pursue. I know I have changed my mind more than a couple of times. I studied engineering for four years in high school and switched to accounting for my major at Indiana University Southeast. Three years later, I decided to double major in accounting and finance. Even though I have changed my mind numerous times, I did not regret it! However, if I could go back and give myself some advice, it would be this: complete at least two internships; attend more networking events, and participate in as many on-campus and off-campus interviews possible.

             First, I wish I would have completed a corporate and public accounting internship. This is true for many students because one might love corporate and another could hate it. I would recommend any student to do this because they are so much different. There are numerous types of accounting: financial, public, government, forensic, tax, auditing, and management. I know a classmate that is studying accounting to be a FBI agent! There are so many opportunities for an accounting major and you should try to experience a couple of them to know what you prefer. Second, I should have attended more networking events earlier at IUS. IUS offers great opportunities for students looking for an internship! One of them is to attend the Accounting and Finance Career Day. Many employers attend this event, including public and corporate. If you go to this event you will meet great people, so don’t be scared! There is also a golf scramble which employers attend to meet potential interns. During this time you should also try to see if you think they would be someone you could work with. The people I will work with is a big factor for me when deciding on what offer to accept. Everyone at Monroe Shine have been awesome and I know I made a great choice! In conclusion, networking events are a perfect way to meet employers, so whenever you are ready to complete an internship they will most likely remember you and you will remember them.           

             Finally, I should have completed more interviews as a freshman and sophomore. On-campus interviews are a great start, especially if you are nervous. You will start to feel more confident and this will help with the off-campus interviews. I completed 6 on-campus interviews as well as multiple off-campus interviews. I definitely felt more confident after the first couple of interviews. Don’t worry if you do not receive an offer after all those interviews because those interviews will be great practice! You will most likely receive an offer during or after your junior year. This is why I recommend starting early with interviews and completing as many as possible.   

            Accounting is a dynamic career, changes are constant. During the coronavirus, I was able to witness the impact it had on tax law and businesses. Businesses relied on CPAs and lawyers because of the changes within tax. Once you gain more experience, you will research questions clients have and advise them on what to do in their situation. Accounting is in high demand and it is also a secure career because of businesses still needing their services. I hope this helps!

~ Rey Sierra-Escobedo (A 2020 Spring & Summer Accounting Monroe Shine Intern)

“Insightful Internship Interview Information” by Intern, Nick Taylor

During my undergraduate tenure at the University of Kentucky there were a handful of internship opportunities that the University offered. Job searching can be competitive for fresh college graduates so securing in an internship before you graduate would be my best advice.

Also, you don’t have to wait until your senior year to start interviewing for internships. Yes, you will have a better chance of getting one if you are an upperclassman or if you are available to start working for the company sooner than the other applicants but getting interview experience is very important. I would suggest starting to apply for internships your junior year through a university program. I can only speak for UK but I am sure that Louisville, IU, and others have great programs that help students find jobs.

At the beginning stages of applying I think that it would be a great idea to apply for as many interviews as you can. Because again the more interviewing experience you have the more comfortable you will be and the better chance you will have a landing a job. If you fit the GPA and Degree requirements you most likely will get a first round interview. Another plus about applying for a job at a University is that the first round of interviews are on campus and for me that was a comfortable environment.   I also think that it is a good idea to apply for as many interviews as you can because you want to be able to choose what company fits you the best or if you do not make it past the first interview of your preferred place of work then you will have other options to explore.

Usually the firm will have an HR representative and a newly hired staff member interviewing you on campus, (like Mallary and Blake) to see how well you blend with the company. I would highly suggest wearing a suit to the interviews even though the dress code only requires a jacket, it can only help you by looking Professional. If you make it past the first stage of interviews the second round of interviews will usually take place at the firms location. The second interview can be lengthier and usually entails an office tour as well. You most likely will speak with at least one partner during this visit and a more experienced staff accountant. I want to reiterate again that experience with both stages of interviews will immensely increase your chances of landing a job before you graduate.

Lastly I think it is important to stay ahead of the game when applying for these positions. I would suggest applying for the spots early and setting up an interview time right when you get a notification. Usually you can apply for these jobs before your major class assignments or tests are scheduled because it’s still early in the year when the slots open. So don’t be lazy, get a jump on the process while there isn’t much school work going on because anyone that has gone through college knows that projects and tests can unpleasantly all hit you at once!  

~ Nick Taylor (A 2018 Spring & Summer Monroe Shine Accounting Intern)

"The Power of Positive Thinking" by Staff Accountant, Rachael Creger

When I was a student at UofL I was gifted a copy of Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. It collected dust on my shelf like most non-school books, and then got thrown in a box when I graduated and moved out of my apartment by campus. This past week, over a year since boxing up all my possessions after purchasing my house, I finally started to unpack my boxes of books. I stumbled upon this gift and flipped right to that day’s page. I’ve continued the habit of checking my book nightly before bed and something about last night’s quote, "Always maintain hopefulness, especially when the going is hard," really spoke to me.

College is a tough time, recruiting season is a tough time, and tax season is a tough time – if I’ve learned anything through college and the beginning of my career, it is that a little bit of positivity goes a very long way when the going gets hard. One bit of positivity that gets me through the most stressful of days is knowing that when I get home, I won’t have to do more work, unlike college and the seemingly never ending reading to do or projects to complete.

One of the hardest parts of my second tax season was leaving work, sitting through a 3 hour night class, going home and studying into the wee hours of the morning and attempting to pull myself together and do it all again the next day. One of the highlights of my third tax season (third?! That’s weird to say!) is that when I finally shut down my computer at the end of the night and went home, I didn’t have to worry about cramming for my finance exam, or squeezing in an online quiz before midnight.

So many people through my life have told me that college prepares you for the real world, but after a mere 15 months in the “real world”, I’d like to dispel that myth. Yes, college does prepare you for some of the knowledge you’ll need in your career, but the two are so different. My little nugget of positivity for you is that eventually, at the end of all the late nights and coffee-fueled study sessions you can trade all of that in for an amazing career at a company you love where you will still be consuming large amounts of coffee but where it will all finally be worth it!

Every all-nighter, every tear shed over the regret of procrastinating, every $300 textbook will be worth it someday! I rest easy knowing that I worked my butt off for 4 long years to get my dream job at an amazing firm. So hold on tight, because these next few semesters will be hard and busy and overwhelming at times, but I promise that someday you will look back on your college experience and be so glad that you filled your time with late night study sessions and tax season internships. Good luck this recruiting season and good luck with the rest of your career – college & otherwise.

 

 

"Life After 22 - The Non-traditional Student's Guide to Recruiting Season." by Staff Accountant, Jackie Bach

Greetings Students! My name is Jackie Bach, I’m a first year Staff Accountant here at Monroe Shine, and I’m excited to have the chance to dole out some nuggets of wisdom acquired from my time spent making the transition from (constantly struggling) non-traditional student to (only sometimes struggling) new staff member. My hope is that by the end of this post you’ll feel a little less panicked, a little more confident, and a lot more excited about tackling the upcoming challenges the next few months have to offer. Buckle up you guys, recruiting season is officially upon us!

For those who don’t know, recruiting season is comprised of resumes, socials, interviews, and more accounting-themed swag than you ever thought possible. It’s stress, excitement, and anticipation all balled up into a mad scramble for the perfect internship. It’s like the Hunger Games but for accounting nerds and the prize is a coveted spot on a prestigious team where you can finally see some of the things you’ve learned put into action. Simply put: It’s kind of a big deal.

As arguably one of the most important times in a new accountant’s career it’s easy to imagine that the typical college student dedicates a substantial portion of their time to preparing for, attending, and following up on a myriad of events. This, of course, is in addition to the time spent worrying, revising a resume 843 times, and trying to iron every pair of dress pants you own at the last minute because you didn’t take them to the drycleaners like your mom told you. Regular students must contend with these standard recruiting season hurdles on a nearly daily basis; however, there is an ever growing and often under-represented demographic of students that are met with additional obstacles despite making up a large portion of the eligible recruiting base. These students are non-traditional students.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, non-traditional students are defined by one of seven characteristics: delayed enrollment into post-secondary education; attends college part-time; works full time; is financially independent (for financial aid purposes); has dependents other than a spouse; is a single parent; or does not have a high school diploma. This can also include students returning to college for career changes or enhancements. I was a traditional student when I got my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and I was a non-traditional student when I went back two years later to get my certificate in accounting and ultimately my Master’s degree. The difference between the two experiences was like day and night - no, literally, I took night classes all through the certificate and Master’s programs.

It’s easy to feel alienated when going back to or starting college at a different stage in your life. You’re probably older than everyone (except your fellow nontraditional students), your expectations are different, even the way you learn has evolved and that’s just the changes in the CLASSROOM. Additionally you have to face the constant everyday conflict between your life obligations and your educational obligations! Kids, a spouse, bills, work, a water pipe that decides to bust as you sit down to take a quiz, or a neighbor’s dog that has the uncanny ability to sense when you sit down write a paper and proceeds to bark for FOUR. HOURS. STRAIGHT.

So now, amongst all the difficulties that come with being a non-traditional student, it’s recruiting season. You’re officially in competition with your peers and other candidates from other schools. It’s go time, and the pressure to perform tends to come with it’s own arsenal of ways to tear apart your confidence and commitment. But you’ve got this! If you can survive all of the things listed above then you can most certainly come out on the other side of recruiting season unscathed and hopefully even employed!

If this is your first recruiting season (or second, or third…) here are just a few common misconceptions, things you can expect, and (hopefully helpful) tips and tricks to help get you through:

• You will NOT be able to attend every single event every single time. And that’s okay!
• My first recruiting season was filled with absolute dread when I looked at the schedule of events. I was working full-time and most, if not ALL, events were always during work hours or would be over by the time I got out of work. I never felt like I could ask to leave early either - I mean really, how do you justify asking, “Hey, mind if I leave early to go to an accounting social in an attempt to pursue other potential employers?” Doesn’t quite sit right, does it? If you have the ability to go to an event or if you have an employer that understands then absolutely go for it! If not then don’t sweat it! I promise that there will be events that you can attend and most firms even hold their own events after hours that are open to students.

• You WILL get selected for an on-campus interview and inevitably the only times left will be times when you are at work.
• This one can be a bit tricky. While schools have made huge strides in making a lot of programs more accessible to non-traditional students this is generally one area that continues to fall short. The simple solution is to take a personal day or some personal time out of work but realistically that’s not always an option for a lot of non-traditional students. If you find yourself struggling to find a way to make the interview times work reach out to the contact provided by the firm. Many firms will be understanding of your specific needs and are willing to make some special accommodations.

•  “Why would I waste my time with recruiting season? I don’t need an internship, I need a JOB.”
• I hear you loud and clear, my friend. Once you get to a certain age or a certain point in your life you’re used to being gainfully employed and having life obligations that have to be met (Netflix ain’t gonna pay for itself, am I right?). The thought of downgrading to something that isn’t set in stone just to possibly further your career can be terrifying. Here’s the good news: recruiting season isn’t just about interns! Because of the comprehensive career placement offered by most schools now, a lot of firms also recruit for full-time staff positions during recruiting season. Don’t worry about knowing everything as a first year staff either, you’ll be just as clueless as the interns and that’s to be expected.

• “It’s taken me forever just to get to this point, why would a firm even want me?”
• Chances are, if you’re like me, accounting wasn’t necessarily your first choice (Marine Biology - don’t judge me). Maybe you got your bachelor’s degree in something else, didn’t like it (or use it) and wanted a change. Maybe instead of going to college right away you went into the workforce instead. Maybe you didn’t have the opportunity to go to college or the time wasn’t right. Whatever the reason may be, you’re here now. The thing that really sets you apart from your peers is the level of commitment you have to being here right now despite all of the difficulties you have faced and will continue to face. You went out into the world, saw all the things it had to offer, and you chose this. What firm wouldn’t want that kind of passion and dedication?

I’d love to tell you that it gets easier but at the end of the day we’re all passengers on the same old struggle-bus. What I will tell you is that you shouldn’t give up because you are on track to have an amazing career. If you stick with this you will get to work with some of the most amazingly talented and informed professionals ever (shout out to my Monroe Shine work family!). You’ll find a sense of fulfillment and purpose in your work. You’ll be driven to learn more and achieve more than you ever thought possible. You’ve already worked so hard and made it this far - take it all the way! I’ll tell you what I always tell myself: if it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it.

~ Jackie