How to get a technical tax accounting internship as a rising junior
Passing initial resume screenings and first-round interviews while still facing rejections usually points to gaps in resume positioning or professional networking within specific tax niches. Without targeted guidance on how to strengthen application materials, qualified students end up stuck in endless rejection cycles and worried about their career prospects.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Being super active on LinkedIn and Handshake
- 2Applying to roles through constant messages on Handshake
- 3working on independent projects like financial statement analysis, audits, and SQL
- 4seeking mentorship from experienced professionals in the field
- 5Applying to VITA tax prep programs
- 6Seeking volunteer opportunities in tax preparation
- 7Asking for country, state, and industry specific details to narrow down options
- 8Applying to mid-tier or smaller accounting firms for internships instead of focusing solely on the Big 4
- 9Building a stronger resume to offset a low GPA
- 10Switching work experience out for senior capstone classes
- 11Tailoring work experience to the specific jobs
- 12Listing extracurricular activities
- 13Refining the skills section to remove basic or cliché items like basic Excel or 10-key proficiency
- 14participating in VITA tax season programs
- 15Polishing the resume and emphasizing extracurricular activities
- 16Focusing on building rapport, showing social skills, and treating it as a way to make a first impression
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“i’m not really sure what they’re looking for when they come to meet the students.. Is it likely i’ll get a soft rejection for now?”source ↗
“I don't have much experience, to be honest, but I'm trying to see if i can get into VITA tax prep and at the very least, be eligible to volunteer.”source ↗
“It seems bleak to get an internship, at least in my area.”source ↗
“Currently a sophomore at UCSB and have applied to the Big 4 Summer 2028 internships, but feel like I won't be getting any offers due to my low gpa and lack of leadership positions.”source ↗
“I really need help on these questions because I'm really lost and feel like im running out of time.”source ↗
“Trying to apply for a winter internship. Was wondering if I should switch my work experience out for senior capstone classes.”source ↗
“Any way to stand out?”source ↗
“I'm a rising junior and I am struggling to land a single internship.”source ↗
“I'm interested in going into more technical tax but I cannot land an internship to save my life”source ↗
“still got a rejection email today so I don't know what to do anymore.”source ↗
“Zero internships | Entering third year | 45+ applications | Low GPA so I can't put it”source ↗
“I think that I need some guidance on how to make my resume stronger and find internships.”source ↗
“I'm just really worried about my future.”source ↗
“Am I cooked. i'm a sophomore standing at a target school in nyc and was wondering how I could be successful especially because I have no experience at all. To add on I have a 3.0 gpa, mediocre excel skills, and i'm going to do vita for 2027 tax season. help.”source ↗
“I would appreciate it if anyone with experience in the field could guide me.”source ↗
“lf companies who are accepting internal auditing student for internship (550 hours needed)”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 17Feeling lost and overwhelmed starting a new accounting job
- 4What other career paths are there with an accounting degree?