Elaine Neville, a junior accounting major, attended WSU Beta Alpha Psi's Meet the Firms event where she met representatives from Grant Thornton tax firm. After making this connection with the organization, she applied for their open Tax Intern position on Handshake and was offered the job for the spring semester.

“The event on campus allowed me to network and hear about this amazing opportunity. I could not have done this without the advice and guidance of the Career Development Center team,” said Neville.

Throughout her internship, Neville has prepared and processed tax returns, coordinated firm-wide events, and been an asset to everyone from fellow associates to partners at Grant Thornton. She recognizes the value this variety of work has added to her professional resume.

“Valuable is an understatement. This experience has been immeasurably beneficial to my success after graduation,” she stated. “I cannot explain how much I have learned and the networking has been incredible.”

After gaining this real-world experience, Neville is confident that she will leave WSU with a degree in a field she loves while also having an upper hand on other applicants she may face in the search for a job after graduation. She hopes that all of her peers get to experience their degree in the hands-on way she has.

“Go out there and get an internship somewhere in your field,” she advises. “It doesn't matter where, because you will learn so much wherever you go. Now is the time to get experience in different areas without having to be committed to anywhere in particular yet.”

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Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.

For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.