By: Courtney Malone – EY Recruiter
As an early careers recruiter at EY and a former accounting student, I understand the challenges that come with navigating the recruiting landscape. My journey began much like yours, filled with uncertainty about potential employers and the steps needed to secure internships and full-time opportunities. Today, I want to share insights that can help you make the most of your summer break in preparation for fall recruiting.
When I started my career with EY in the audit practice, I often reflected on my college experience and how I could have better utilized my time to prepare for the competitive recruiting process. Many students enter college without a clear understanding of the companies they might want to work for or the services they provide. This lack of clarity can lead to missed opportunities.
In March 2022, I transitioned into a recruiting role at EY, driven by a desire to guide students through the complexities of securing internships and full-time positions. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is witnessing the growth of students throughout their academic careers and how that growth translates into success as professionals.
At EY, we, like many other accounting firms, focus our recruiting efforts heavily in the fall semesters. By spring, our available internship and full-time positions often dwindle, leaving many students feeling as though they’ve missed out on valuable opportunities.
During my recent visit to Tulane’s campus for EY Week, many students asked how they could best prepare for recruiting this summer. Here are some suggestions for those eager to get a head start on what will undoubtedly be an intense fall semester:
Research
I encourage every student to do as much research as possible about their potential future employers. This can look like investing time in online courses/certifications related to your field of interest. Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer valuable certifications that can enhance your resume. Specific to EY, I encourage you to check out our Forage job simulations for Audit, Climate Change and Sustainability, and Financial Accounting Advisory Services, if those practices are of interest.
Your research can also include networking! Reach out to alumni, professors, and industry professionals. Schedule informational interviews to learn about their career paths and seek advice. There are so many opportunities to learn from folks that were once in your shoes. Use that great network of yours!!
I also recommend you stay informed. Keep up with industry trends and news. Follow relevant companies and thought leaders on LinkedIn to stay updated. Reach out to your college’s Career Services office to inquire about any recruiters associated with your target companies. They can help you make valuable connections!
Upskill
Focus on developing soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Join workshops or local meetups to practice these skills. Most companies will teach you technical skills with their on-the-job learning, so soft skills go a long way!
All employers will expect you to participate in interviews to land your role. During your summer break, practice your interviewing skills with friends or mentors. This will help you feel more confident when the time comes to interview with your target companies.
As you ace your mock interviews and certifications, think back on your experiences so far. Update your LinkedIn profile with your latest achievements, skills, and projects. Have you participated in a Capstone project that encompasses multiple aspects of your learning? Do you work part time at a restaurant that you’ve developed time management or communication skills? Add that to your resume/profile! This will help recruiters learn as much as possible about you during the application review period.
Recharge
Arguably my most important recommendation is to take care of your mental and physical health. Make sure to enjoy time with family and friends! Recharge those batteries that were no doubt drained during finals prep. Prioritize what makes you happy and be sure to enjoy your summer break. Soak up this opportunity where you’ll have an extended period of time off to work on yourself and your self-care.
EY will be back on campus in September 2025 with our EY Week programming. During that time, we will plan to be hiring for 2026 Consulting and CPA Track internships, 2027 CPA track internships, and full-time staff roles. We also plan to host a virtual session for all those that are taking the fall semester to study abroad.
We look forward to meeting you and supporting your journey into the professional world!
