Jobs
Interested in getting a job or an internship?
The KEY is to NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK! You never know who may have an internship or job available. Always NETWORK with people wherever you go. You will be surprised who knows others that are seeking future employees with their company.
Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) / Internal Audit Program (IAP)
If you are not in the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) or the Internal Audit Program (IAP), then check it out. Both of these organizations do a great job of exposing students to internships/job opportunities. Many public accounting firms along with industry firms participate in both programs.
Monthly IIA Luncheons
The next thing you should do is attend the luncheons that is hosted by the IIA Houston Chapter each month! The luncheons typically last approximately 2 hours long from a 45 minute session of eating a buffet lunch and networking with others to a 1 hour speaker presentation on a relevant issue in the profession.
This is a great way to network with 200-300 professionals on average every month. Many different companies are represented from the public, private, non-profit, and government sectors. You will also meet people that are beginning auditors to Chief Audit Executives. The IASA STRONGLY encourages you to attend these luncheons in order to maximize your networks. In order to attend, it is required that you become a member of the IASA by filling out an application by clicking on the "Join Now" option under "Membership".
If you are an IASA member and are interested in attending a future IIA luncheon, then contact us at iasastud@gmail.com. For future IIA luncheon dates, please visit our calendar.
Career Services
In order to increase internship/job opportunities, make sure you work with the Univeristy of Houston Bauer Rockwell Career Center AND the University of Houston Career Services Center (www.career.uh.edu). Many companies like to go through both of these avenues when hiring students.
Other Tips to Consider
If you are having trouble obtaining an internship or a full time job, then consider contract work. This is a great way to get your foot in the door with a company that you want to work for.
Did you know that IASA President Lisa Berry used to work as a contract worker in a Financial Reporting group for Center Point Energy before she joined the internal audit department at Center Point Energy?
Sometimes working in a different department and then transferring in Internal Audit may be the way to go.
PROS/CONS of Contract Work
You will get paid more than a company employee for doing the same job; however, you don't receive benefits.
Another cool thing about contract work is that you call the shots of when you want to work and when you want to stop. You should never break a contract with a company. For example, if a company says they will hire you to do a 3 month assignment, then you should stay there for three months.
Job Search Strategies
There are many headhunters and temporary staffing agencies in Houston. Let them help you get hooked up with the right companies. They want to get you where you want to go so they can make money with the firm. You will never have to pay any money; the company will pay a fee to the staffing company for providing you to fill their job.
Some popular names you could research include:
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- Robert Half
- Kelly Financial Resources
- Donovan and Watkins
- HireSynergy
- Accountemps
- Lucas Group
- Etc.
Obviously apply on company websites for an internship or a job. What companies should you apply to?
Think about all the companies that come to Bauer, the career mixers, colloquiums, etc. for ideas.
Be creative and think about what your interests are and find companies that match your interests. (i.e. If you enjoy internal audit and working with children, then maybe you should consider working for a hospital (i.e. Texas Children's Hospital) or a school district).
If you still need ideas, then look at the following website to see the top 100 publicly traded companies in Houston. http://www.chron.com/databases/chron100.html.
Job Resources
Job Search Strategies for Internal Audit (PDF)
