Pre-Internship Jitters

Written by Gianna Migliaccio

Intern

New York, NY

Gianna Migliaccio

Surreal- that's it. That is honestly the only way to describe this stage of my life. I don't know where the past four years went! It is wild to say that I am a Syracuse University graduate; I remember freshman year like it was yesterday. Saying that time flies is actually an understatement. However, what is even crazier is the fact that I’m about to commence my internship with McGladrey! I have been waiting for this for years, literally, and now it is only a week away.

Ever since my sophomore year at Syracuse University I have truly loved McGladrey. As an accounting major I have had the opportunity to network with many firms over the years, whether it be during Beta Alpha Psi presentations, career fairs, or info sessions.  However, there was always something different about McGladrey.  They were in a completely different category than the rest of the firms that I was getting to know.  I liked everything I was hearing, and in every situation I found myself relating and connecting to the people that I was speaking with.  McGladrey is truly invested in their people and that is what sold me. From then on out, I was convinced that McGladrey was the perfect fit for me. 

After attending Pathways in New York, these emotions and opinions were only intensified. I enjoyed all of the activities that we did over the course of the program, but more importantly, I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and interact with the other Pathways participants.  That is why I have such high expectations for my internship with the firm. I can't wait to meet the rest of the interns and get to know them over the next ten weeks or so.  We have been chatting via LinkedIn and are talking in a big group-chat, but clearly that doesn’t equate to really getting to know these people.  I think it’s really important for us to get to know each other and I have no doubt that I will get along with all of them.  That is due to the fact that I have faith in McGladrey and their people.

New York Pathways Program

As a group, we all mutually understand each other without even having met! Going into something like this with people who are all going through the same thing is the foundation to friendships that can only grow in the weeks to come. We are all so eager to meet each other and to start this internship. However, saying eager is almost unfitting!  We all agreed that we don’t want to wait until orientation to get to know each other.  For that reason, we are getting dinner prior to our start date to break the ice.  Being comfortable with one another will only facilitate this experience and I know personally, it will help calm my nervous as I anxiously anticipate the start date.

I don’t know how to feel.  I am so excited, but I am also so nervous! I want to get the most out of this internship and learn as much as I possibly can.  I am incredibly optimistic because I know I am in great hands with such an extraordinary company.  However, with less than a week left to go I will enjoy my last few days of freedom and will write again soon once my experience begins!