What Makes a Great Internship Experience?

Internships are an important step in a student’s journey into the professional world—especially in public accounting. At McKonly & Asbury, we believe that a great internship is built on planning, structure, guidance, and meaningful work. Here’s a look at the key components that make an internship experience truly exceptional, both for students and for firms like us.

Intentional Planning

A successful internship doesn’t happen by chance—it’s thoughtfully designed. At McKonly & Asbury, we begin planning our internship program well in advance. This includes determining:

• What is the timing of the internship?
• How many interns can each segment accommodate?
• Which of our four office locations will host interns?
• What will client base interns focus on?
• Who will directly supervise and train new interns?
• By answering these questions early, we ensure that each intern is set up for success from day one.

Openness to All Stages of Learning

One question we often get is, “What year of college do you accept interns?” The short answer: any. Opportunities to learn shouldn’t be limited by age or education status. Therefore, we look for accounting students who demonstrate genuine interest in learning and growing in the public accounting profession, regardless of their academic year.

Thoughtful Onboarding

Onboarding should be a welcoming and informative experience, which is what our process has evolved into over the years. Interns are introduced to our firm’s history, culture, and the people who make it special. They meet with our operations team, interact with individuals across various service lines, and get a true sense of the exceptional culture at McKonly & Asbury.

Hands-On, Structured Training

Each intern begins with an intensive, week-long training program tailored to their given segment. The trainers are staff and senior-level team members—people who have recently walked in our interns’ shoes and can offer real, relevant insight. Every aspect of training is intentional, preparing interns to hit the ground running.

Real Work, Real Experience

Internships should reflect the roles and career paths that students will be stepping into after graduation. That’s why our interns don’t just observe—they do. From day one, they take on responsibilities synonymous with a first-year Staff Accountant. Many will visit client sites and participate in engagements, gaining firsthand experience in public accounting. This immersion helps them understand the profession’s challenges and rewards, and they leave with a clearer vision of their career path.

Ongoing Feedback and Mentorship

Growth is at the heart of the internship experience. McKonly & Asbury interns work closely with a designated buddy, a direct report, and a segment lead who provide continuous support and guidance. We offer regular feedback, and the transformation we see from the beginning to the end of the internship is always rewarding. Our interns are hungry to learn, and we’re proud to invest in that growth.

A Pathway to Full-Time Offers

Ultimately, great internships will provide possibilities for interns to segue into full-time positions, and our program is one of our most valuable hiring pipelines. We extend offers to interns who show promise—those who ask thoughtful questions, show up consistently, and collaborate well with their teams. Our best hires often come from our internship program because they’ve already proven their commitment and fit within our firm culture.

Final Thoughts

A great internship is more than a resume builder—it’s a launchpad. At McKonly & Asbury, we’re proud to offer a program that’s designed to develop talent, inspire growth, and open doors. Whether you’re a first-year student eager to explore accounting or a senior preparing to step into the workforce, the opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow is what makes an internship truly exceptional.

If you or someone you know is interested in a future internship at a public accounting firm, McKonly & Asbury currently has open applications for our Internship Program.

For more information about the careers and culture at McKonly & Asbury, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Holly Feltenberger.

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