Internship Update: Full-Time Offer Denied 😞
I wanted to share my experience after recently receiving disappointing news about my internship. I’m 25 and have a drug-related felony on my record, so landing this internship at a medium-sized firm with around 150 employees was a significant achievement for me. I graduated in winter ’24 and started the internship, hopeful for a full-time offer after the busy season. There’s just one other intern in the tax department, and he won’t be graduating for a while.
In early March, I reached out to one of the HR reps to discuss a trip I had planned after my internship officially ends. They seemed optimistic about my chances for a full-time offer and even mentioned that I’d be receiving information about benefits soon.
This internship was my first real dive into tax work; my previous experience was mostly with state and local tax, including sales and use tax and annual reports.
Today, I received an email stating that the firm reviewed intern performance and business needs as we near the end of the internship. They are inviting certain interns to a summer program, but I was informed that I would not be offered a full-time position. My internship ends on April 15.
I do have a full-time tax associate position lined up in another state starting in November, and I was hoping to stay at this firm full-time until then. I didn’t inform them of my other offer because I genuinely liked the firm and was contemplating turning down my other opportunity if given the chance to stay here. I consider myself semi-social—I engage with others, seek more work when I have downtime, and consistently arrive on time and stay late (though I was told to limit my hours to 40 per week). Even when I faced challenges on certain tasks, I made it a point to ask questions rather than overwhelm anyone with requests.
It seems the Accounting industry is currently facing a shortage, making it more cost-effective to keep an intern than to recruit again. I’m dedicated to learning as much as I can about tools like CCH Axcess and have surprised myself with how much I’ve grown each week.
I’m unsure where things went wrong, so I’ve requested a meeting with HR next week. Should I mention my offer elsewhere? Would it be worthwhile to ask if there’s a possibility to intern this summer? Has anyone else gone through a similar experience? I believe I’ve been making steady progress, but I wonder if my speed on some assignments let them down. My first 1040 took 3-5 hours, and I’m now down to 1-2 hours; however, I still struggle with some of the more niche details.
I genuinely feel I’ve been improving and putting in the effort, even assisting friends and family with their tax returns. Any insight or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 🙏🏻
One response
I’m really sorry to hear about your experience. It sounds like you’ve put in a lot of effort and dedication during your internship, and it’s disappointing to not receive the full-time offer you were expecting. From your post, it’s clear that you’re motivated to learn and improve, which is a valuable trait.
First, it’s good that you’re planning to meet with HR. This conversation could provide you with valuable feedback and insights into their decision, which may not be entirely related to your performance. Sometimes, firms make offers based on internal evaluations that might not reflect the hard work and growth you’ve demonstrated.
When you meet with HR, it could be beneficial to approach the conversation with an open mind. You can ask specific questions about where you might have fallen short, and what skills or experiences they felt were lacking. This feedback can be invaluable for your future career.
Regarding your other job offer, consider how that information might impact your conversation. While it could show that you’re in demand, sharing that you have another opportunity could also affect their willingness to consider you for future positions, including summer internships. If you feel comfortable, you might mention it briefly but focus more on your desire to learn and grow within their firm.
As for the possibility of interning this summer, it wouldn’t hurt to express your interest in continuing with them in some capacity. If they are extending offers to other interns, there may still be opportunities for you to stay connected with the firm.
Lastly, keep in mind that this doesn’t define your worth or your future in the Accounting field. Many successful professionals face setbacks; what matters is how you move forward. Keep honing your skills, learning as much as you can, and don’t hesitate to reach out for opportunities where you can continue to grow. Best of luck with your meeting and your future career!