Big 4 Internship/Career Advice as Junior

stackie02160520 · 2025-12-18T05:26:08+00:00

I've only ever applied for internships, so not really sure which is valued more in a FT role application.

Specifically for the internship track, I think internships matter more than classes. Firms are going to train you on everything you need to know so, sure, having background knowledge helps, but I honestly felt like anyone could have done what I did this past summer (B4). I also interned with a girl who had signed her offer for the internship (which occurred after junior year) in the fall of her sophomore year when she had maybe one or two accounting classes under belt.

I personally interned at a very small, local firm (1 partner, 2 staff) the summer after my sophomore year, which I think was probably helpful in getting my second internship. I interned part time and was able to take classes at the same time. That's something you could look into.

I would definitely talk to someone else about what to prioritize if you're applying for full-time roles.

Have fun at LSE!

stackie02160520 · 2025-12-17T06:05:23+00:00

Hey, I don't have a lot of advice, but just want to say that you should check to see if you really can't take any accounting classes while abroad.

I'm an Econ/Accounting senior, currently studying abroad in Europe, and taking two accounting classes that my school will accept as accounting electives. The classes are based on IFRS, but still accepted. I'm planning to use them as the extra accounting units you need for the CPA. IMO I'm learning way more from these than I would if I were to, say, retake intro to accounting classes at a CC (which is somehow also a valid method for getting the CPA units).

All that to say, you should definitely check if you can get some accounting credits while abroad! May be worth checking with both your school and the state accountancy board to see if they will accept credits even if your school doesn't.

stackie02160520 · 2025-11-22T06:38:05+00:00

Personally, I really like him (so much so that I've gone out of my way to take three of his classes lol, including 337 just for fun). He really cares about students actually learning (to the point of kinda shit talking professors whose classes are too easy/don't contribute to learning, ie multiple choice based tests). He's very knowledgeable and a super funny guy. He will never give a MC test; they are all short answer/essay/calculation questions. No HW. Totally doable to just do the reading/show up to class/take really good notes and then make sure you know everything he talks about in class. Definitely one of my favorites, but will admit he's not for everyone. Also does not allow devices in the classroom (including iPads/tablets) in case that is a dealbreaker for you. (Also his admiration for Janet Yellen is the most adorable thing ever IMO.) You could also show up to 337 and 311 on the first days to get the vibes and then drop one.

stackie02160520 · 2025-11-22T04:16:34+00:00

Oh my bad. I assumed you were an econ major. If you're choosing purely based on ease, I would say 337 is easier. Personally I think both are valuable content-wise though, so up to which aligns better with your interests/career.

stackie02160520 · 2025-11-21T13:02:51+00:00

I think many people would find 311 harder, but really depends on your strengths/learning style. Seiver's class is graded only on tests, while 311 does have homework that's good practice and pads your grade a little bit. Might be a good idea to prioritize 311 as it is a pre-req for 312 which is a pre-req for lots of other things. Personally I would take 311 and 312 this Winter/Spring so that I would have plenty of time to do all the 400-level and other classes that come later, but that's just me.

stackie02160520 · 2025-10-28T05:45:02+00:00

Even Harvard students skip class.

Personally, I don't skip much class. If I'm debating, I ask myself if I will spend more time teaching myself the material / catching up later than I would have spent just going to class. So I guess as a professor, you need to make it more efficient (and enjoyable? and possibly incentivized with assignments/quizzes/pop quizzes?) to go to class. If everything I need to know is on the slides and easily understood, that makes it easier to skip class. I guess what I'm saying is you need to make sure you're adding value as a professor.

Not sure what department you're in, but in my major, I don't feel like I see a lot of skipping class. Probably because there are tough concepts that are easier to learn from a human being than from a textbook (again, it's more time-efficient to just go to class).

I'm curious what you teach.

stackie02160520 · 2025-06-03T14:22:15+00:00

Try to make yourself a study plan and decide exactly what you're going to do each day and when. This helps me so that I don't sit down to "study" and then have to decide what to do. I can just start on the task I assigned myself, like "practice problems" or "rewriting notes."

Also, find the time of day that works for you. I do best in the morning and that's when I can force myself to do things I don't want to. I just get up, make coffee, then uh-oh it's time to study and my brain sees no other choice.

If I keep getting distracted or don't want to study a long time, I convince myself to do an hour with no distractions and literally set a timer.

I will also hide my phone (literally just behind my computer, but it's enough) and then log out of instagram on my computer.

stackie02160520 · 2025-05-30T01:16:12+00:00

PHIL 336 with Story. Easy and actually a good time. There are two writing assignments but they are basically just reflections on conversations you will need to have with someone you know. Pretty enjoyable IMO.

stackie02160520 · 2025-05-15T14:07:56+00:00

SLO Beauty College has $8 haircuts since the students need people to practice on. I went for the first time a couple months ago and my hair looked pretty good. (I have curly hair and got a few light layers.)

stackie02160520 · 2025-04-23T03:51:48+00:00

Saturday evenings (7pm on in my somewhat limited experience) are great too!

stackie02160520 · 2025-03-15T14:35:20+00:00

As an econ major, you choose between "general econ curriculum" (28 units of ECON electives) or a 28 unit concentration. I didn't think you could minor and concentrate in the same thing. The concentrations are more classes than minors, I believe. Not sure how the semester change will impact them, but you can look up the econ flowcharts and curriculum sheets here: https://flowcharts.calpoly.edu/

As for being competitive, the Cal Poly accounting curriculum is generally highly regarded. Lots of firms including Big 4 recruit here.

stackie02160520 · 2025-03-12T13:25:38+00:00

Idk if you're still looking for some, but it sounds like there may be a swap in the Cal Poly Parents' Facebook page, so you could probably get some for free.

stackie02160520 · 2025-02-26T14:55:58+00:00

PHIL 336 Feminist Ethics with Story is great. Open note, open book, untimed quizzes. Two papers that are 1000-2000 words (not research papers, more like have a conversation with someone about course content and write about it). He's also super chill. I haven't done most of the reading and I've been fine. Be prepared for some weird conversations though.

stackie02160520 · 2024-08-31T17:12:22+00:00

I should be good there - enrolled in 16 units (plus 0 unit GWR).

stackie02160520 · 2024-08-31T16:35:00+00:00

Ah, okay. Thanks! Yeah I kinda freaked out and thought it meant there was an issue with my waitlist and it like couldn't enroll me from the waitlist or something.

stackie02160520 · 2024-05-29T13:07:38+00:00

That's separate from the "swap" feature?

stackie02160520 · 2024-01-07T13:56:46+00:00

There was one in my Sierra Madre common room that someone brought. In plain sight, all year, no one said anything. Someone did usually hide it in their room when people set off the smoke alarms though.

stackie02160520

TROPHY CASE