Insight Into the Internship Experience at Froehling Anderson
At Froehling Anderson, we believe internships are a cornerstone of professional growth and development. Our internship program is designed to provide college students with hands-on experience, supportive mentorship, and a welcoming environment. Hear from two of our recent interns, Alexis and Logan, about their journeys and the invaluable lessons they learned during their time with us.
Alexis’ Journey: From Golf Event to Full-Time Accountant
“An internship can be a bit intimidating, but Froehling Anderson does a great job making you feel welcomed and part of the team from day one,” says Alexis Catorena Gonzalez. Introduced to Froehling Anderson in 2023, Alexis first encountered the firm at a golf event hosted by Minnesota State University Mankato, where he met Froehling employees. Their enthusiasm for the firm prompted Alexis to attend Froehling’s annual ‘Spend A Morning with Froehling’ event that summer, offering a glimpse into a day in the life of an accountant and an opportunity to connect with staff accountants, managers, and partners.
These interactions left a lasting impression on Alexis, leading him to pursue an accounting internship starting in January 2024. “From the day I started, I felt welcomed,” he shares. “There was always someone willing to help you.” This internship was pivotal for his professional development, providing a wealth of accounting experience in a short time. His learning continued into his full-time role, where he revisited a tax return he’d worked on as an intern, and identified crucial adjustments before pushing it to internal review. “Learning is a process, and you’ll learn a little bit at a time,” says Alexis. He notes his appreciation for Froehling Anderson’s culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Key Tips from Alexis:
- Don’t be afraid, and be willing to try new things.
- Hands-on experience outside the classroom is invaluable.
- Be patient with yourself and the process.
- Froehling’s work-life balance is both amazing and appreciated.
Alexis emphasizes, “I would recommend doing an internship at Froehling Anderson because you get practical, real-life, hands-on experience, encountering real situations while interacting with real clients. Being a mid-size firm, you get to know everyone, and you can ask anyone a question; the partners regularly have their doors open, and you can always ask them a question, no matter what!”
Logan’s Path: From Career Fair to First Intern at St. Cloud Office
“Froehling Anderson has a very friendly and supportive work environment,” says Logan Hunter. “Everyone is really nice, and even during the busiest time of year, I only experienced patience from co-workers.” Logan first learned about Froehling Anderson at a career fair at St. Cloud State University, where he connected with some of our staff. Excited by the possibilities, especially with the new St. Cloud office nearby, he pursued an accounting internship starting in January 2024, proudly becoming the first intern at the new St. Cloud location.
From day one, Logan felt comfortable asking questions. “It’s easy to ask a question over Zoom chat, but it’s always beneficial to go to someone in person. You build rapport through face-to-face interaction.” He described his internship as insightful, collaborative, and enriching, gaining thorough accounting experience and valuable life skills. After accepting a full-time position, Logan looks forward to leveraging his internship experiences to further develop his accounting and communication skills.
Insights from Logan:
- Communication skills are crucial for our work.
- It’s okay to not understand everything immediately.
- Develop a system to remember what you’re learning.
- Never be afraid to ask questions.
Logan recommends, “I would recommend doing an internship at Froehling Anderson because you will get hands-on experience during the program. This process is very collaborative, and you have a captain/mentor to help you throughout the entire experience.”
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