Missouri State University

Skip to content Skip to navigation
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

College of Business News

"Think Bigger and Bolder"

Close up photo of person using laptop keyboard.

Interning at home

Students share their experiences working as interns in unusual times.

January 22, 2021 by Kristina Khodai

It was a tough year for interns across the country. COVID-19 caused many companies to shift to a remote workforce, cut jobs, freeze positions and cancel internships.

But some businesses established virtual internships, and a few College of Business students were able to take advantage of those.

Making the best of unprecedented times

Last summer, Spencer Quinn, a graduate student in the Master of Accountancy program, was looking forward to his second internship with Deloitte, a leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory service. Deloitte has a long history of hiring COB accounting majors.

Quinn interned for Deloitte in the St. Louis office in 2019 and expected to intern in the Dallas office in 2020. Regrettably, the pandemic shattered those plans. His internship was shortened from an 8-week program to a two-week virtual session.

“It was disappointing, but when I had many friends who lost their internship opportunities entirely, I considered myself lucky,” said Quinn.

During the internship, he networked with different teams in the Dallas office and trained with other interns in the Midwest region. Quinn learned the basics of an audit, the firm’s practices and culture and much more.

“Opportunity is there, and virtual internships will be what you make of them,” Quinn said. “My internship wasn’t what I expected or planned, but having a good attitude and a willingness to learn will always be beneficial in life.”

His positive attitude must have made an impression because Quinn signed on to start in the Deloitte Dallas office as an audit associate next fall.

Getting what you give 

Jensen Worsley, senior risk management and insurance major, was a virtual intern for Ryan Turner Specialty, a leading wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products and services. 

“It was nothing I have ever experienced before,” Worsley said. “Since my internship was through the corporate office, I was in meetings with interns from all over the nation.” 

Worsley was able to widen her scope of interests, learn from a variety of employees through daily Zoom meetings and listen to the CEO of the company. 

The last week of the summer, Worsley and a group of other interns presented their projects to a panel of employees. Her group placed fourth; she won the Most Enthusiastic Award. 

“Prior to participating, I really didn’t feel I would learn much,” Worsley said. “I was wrong. An internship is going to be what you make of it, and you are going to get out of it what you put into it.” 

Girl sitting at dining room table with a laptop.
Avionne Jones working from home.

Having an open mind

Avionne Jones, junior finance major, was a finance and operations management intern for EdOps. EdOps provides business management services to charter schools.

She encourages other students to have an open mind when it comes to virtual experiences.

“You have to be very willing and adaptable to this way of virtual learning because it is new to you and your employer,” Jones said. “You can’t be scared to speak up and ask a lot of questions. Enjoy yourself and get comfortable with it.”

Learn more about internship opportunities.

Filed Under: COB Connection, Student Spotlight Tagged With: Avionne Jones, Entertainment Management, Finance, internships, Kelly Metter, Master of Accountancy, Spencer Quinn

Categories

  • Ad Team
  • Alumni Spotlight
  • BearBiz Newsletter
  • Bears Business Brief
  • COB Connection
  • COB Scholarships
  • College of Business
  • David D. Glass Distinguished Lecture Series
  • Executive Advisory Council
  • Faculty and Staff Spotlight
  • Fashion & Interior Design Department (see Merchandising and Fashion Design Department)
  • Featured
  • Finance and Risk Management
  • health administration
  • Homecoming
  • Information Technology
  • Information Technology and Cybersecurity
  • Management
  • Management and Information Technology
  • Marketing
  • MBA
  • Merchandising and Fashion Design Department
  • Online
  • School of Accountancy
  • Student Spotlight
  • Student Success
  • Technology & Construction Management
  • Uncategorized

Tags

accounting Ad Team AITP Alumni Spotlight Barry Cobb Bears Business Brief Beta Alpha Psi COB COB alumni COB Career Fair COB impact College of Business community engagement Computer Information Systems Cybersecurity Enactus Entertainment Management Faculty Spotlight Fashion Fashion Design FID Finance Finance and General Business Glass Hall renovation Information Technology Interior Design International Business Programs James Philpot Jeff Jones Kerri Tassin Les Heitger marketing Marketing Department MBA Rayanna Anderson Richard Ollis Risk Management and Insurance School of Accountancy Shannon McMurtrey Stephanie Bryant Student Spotlight Student Spotlight Study Away Technology and Construction Management Vickie Hicks

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
Make your Missouri statementMake your Missouri statement
  • Last Modified: March 23, 2021
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Disclosures
  • EO/AA/M/F/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
  • © 2013 Board of Governors, Missouri State University
  • Contact Information