LSUCIA program

LSU has a clandestine spy agency?

LSUCIA program is really good at getting you a job if you work hard. Your GPA isn't bad, but may get passed on by some big 4 firms. If you are interested in big 4, just drop with them and nail the interview if you get one. Big 4 internships are usually awesome. They treat you like royalty and I think they still do national intern training at a decent location. You also get paid a great salary (+$50K). Even if you don't like or aren't interested in big 4, the experience alone will help you land a job where you really want to go.

Get the Gleim's books and go through every question in there to where you know the answer before even finishing the question. It's important to learn the material, but LSUCIA's tests were almost completely verbatim to what was in the Gleim's books.

Be creative on your projects that they assign you. Sumners loves people who think outside the box. Oh and don't show up late or dress in t-shirt shorts.

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What I'm wondering is which internships are considered "better" than others and what my expectations should be? Currently and accounting major with basically no related accounting work experience and a 3.3 GPA. Any advice will help. TIA.

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LSUCIA alum here...

The best internship for you depends on your goals and preferences. If you want to stay local and work a low stress job for a smaller company, then go after a local company/firm. If you have your eye on a specific industry, then pursue a company in that industry or a public accounting firm located where that industry is strong (e.g Oil/Gas in Houston).

Overall, the Big 4 firms (EY, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC) are seen as the top of the Accounting world and they will provide the most long term opportunities for you. Students with the highest ambitions go after the Big 4 internships, and if you receive a Big 4 internship offer, you're essentially getting a full time offer as well.

With all that said, any internship is good and pretty much a requirement nowadays when looking for full time work after graduation. Also, interning for a private company can still set you up for a Big 4 full time offer so don't think it's Big 4 or bust. I'm an example of this.

The internship draft is tricky. It's hard for me to advise on the best strategy for dropping your resume. I signed up for the max number of internships and only received one interview, but my GPA was only a 3.1 at the time. Obviously, don't sign up for something you're not interested in, but the "Big 4 or Bust" attitude is a bit absurd. You need an internship so drop your resume for all that interest you. Also, the best thing you can do is attend all of the networking events and make a good impression with practitioners/ recruiters prior to the draft.

As far as locations go, pick places you truly could see yourself living permanently, at least for a few years after graduating. There's nothing worse than an intern not accepting his full time offer or requesting an offer from a different city upon completion of the internship.

Hope this all helps.

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we're having to fill out all these forms with internship location preferences and also permanent job location preferences.

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Don't get too intimidated by this. I remember I did. The only thing that matters internship wise is who you drop with and who you get picked by. By way of the draft, you can only have one offer so it's that or nothing. So only drop with companies you really want to work for.

Don't buy what most people in your class will say that Big 4 is best and no one else is worth a look. Everyone is different, I interviewed with 2 big 4s and 3 other companies and got my internship in industry. I loved it, hours weren't nearly as bad as Big 4, housing was paid for and had great pay.

Glad you posted this. I am in the class, but I am really nervous because my gpa is only a 2.7. However, I have jobs with accounting experience and I feel like I'm solid in an interview, so I am hoping some of these companies give me a shot. I heard the enrollment is way down this year, which is great for me.

Don't waste your time doing internal audit. I completed every course in the CIA program (even the case studies). I never took an internship. Currently employed at a Big 4 firm in a different field. Internal Audit is very difficult to move out from if you chose to go that path as a career. If you enjoy it, by all means go for it. My advice is to try and join the entrepreneurship program instead and do that as a business elective. I can safely say I gained nothing from the CIA program (minus the case studies helping with public speaking). I would suggest you interview for either external audit or tax over internal audit.

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What I'm wondering is which internships are considered "better" than others and what my expectations should be?

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A big4 internship would probably be "better" but I am a little biased due to the fact that I worked at a big4 firm for 2 years. The big4 internships almost automatically turn into full time gigs. I actually interned in industry. The $ was good, but they had a full department and didn't hire any of the interns that year.


I hate to sound like this, but as far as expectations go, prepare to brownnose a lot if you want that big4 internship. You probably have 60 or so kids vying for 15-20 spots, so the sucking up will be strong. When I went through the program, I thought I'd be the tough guy who doesn't brownnose. I came to regret that when my buddies had big4 offers lined up before our senior year, and I was scrambling for a job 3 weeks before my internship ended.

Well, sounds like I'm screwed

Not necessarily...that's just my experience about 3 or 4 years ago. They've changed the program since IIRC. I know a lot of people that have gotten jobs out of it, so be optimistic. Even if you don't get something, just having that you went through the program looks very very good on your resume.


Also just saw where you said you have prior experience in an accounting firm...that's really good and something they look for.

LSUCIA was all over Arthur Andersen before their fall