Name: Andy Lee

Position: Assurance-Audit Staff at the EY Irvine location

Degree: B.S in Accounting

Graduation Year: Fall 2021

What excites you about this internship/company/job?

I am excited to be a part of a Big 4 Accounting Firm. What makes me most excited about joining EY are the clients they serve especially in the technology, media, and telecommunications industries. With clients in the Fortune 500 such as Apple, Facebook, and Verizon it is no surprise that EY strives in an industry that will serve as a huge part of our future. During the pandemic, we have realized how important the use of technology has become in our daily lives.

How did you strategize landing this internship/job?

One way I strategized my way into landing this job position was by attending as many events provided by the Accounting Society as possible ranging from speaker events to mock interviews. Furthermore, I sought extra resources not only in the Career Services Center but within each accounting firm such as EY by building more connections and asking for more advice about my application process. I found it important to not only ask a lot of questions but also be a good listener while engaging in networking sessions.

Give students some career advice for anyone looking for an internship/job in this market (based on what you did)?

I dealt with a lot of rejections during my 1.5-2 years of applying for internships and jobs. It was a very difficult period for me when I dealt with these rejections, but I knew with the support I had from my friends and family, it was important to stay motivated and also stick to my strengths. In the end, my advice would be to always be engaging while networking and appreciate the process. Firms will take notice when you not only create excellent responses in interviews but also ask questions specifically tailored for that certain Accounting firm as well. What is also important is while completing the application process it is not only important to find a good job, but also a workplace that wants you to be a part of their culture as much as you want to be a part of their culture.