MARCH
INTERN of the MONTH
JOHN FOX
CITY OF ASHLAND FINANCE DIVISION
206 Claremont Avenue
Ashland, OH
Major: Accounting & Finance
Minor: Political Science
Clubs & Organizations:
SIFE
IMA
Club Basketball
Lifework Leadership Program
FCA
How did you find out about the internship?
I found out about the internship from an e-mail sent by the Career Development Center at Ashland University. Paul Schloemer, my Intermediate Accounting professor, also printed out the e-mail and passed it around in my class.
How long did it take you to secure the internship position?
I secured the internship position after interviewing on the final day of exams during the spring semester. I was offered the position immediately following my interview and accepted shortly after.
Did the Career Development Center help you in acquiring the internship? If so, please explain how.
The Career Development Center first led me to the internship opportunity by sending out the initial e-mail. They also provided a tremendous service by offering mock interviews. I participated in two mock interviews during my first two years. These experiences were realistic and important toward learning how to properly interview for an internship. I was also able to gather valuable feedback on my resume from the CDC.
Describe your responsibilities within your internship.
As the Finance Division intern, my main responsibility was to compile the necessary data to implement the GASB Statement 44 Statistical Section for the City of Ashland’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This component of the city’s annual report displays data from the previous then years in five separate sections – Financial Trends, Revenue Capacity, Debt Capacity, Operating Information, and Demographic and Economic Information. I also created the city’s Fund Forecast for 2007 and authored a Microsoft Excel interactive tutorial for employees of the Finance Division.
List three to five highlights from your internship.
- Completing a reusable template for the implementation of GASB 44 with information dating back to 1997
- Creating the Fund Forecast for 2007 to be used by City Council in decisions on how to manage the funds for the upcoming year
- Compiling a Microsoft Excel tutorial for employees and actually training each of them in individual sessions
- Expanding my knowledge of governmental accounting and learning the components of each of the city’s funds through research
What is one aspect of your internship that you would have wanted to change?
I would have decided to find an apartment closer to my internship location. I commuted an hour from home everyday to work at the Finance Division.
Did your internship confirm your anticipated career choice or path?
The internship absolutely confirmed my anticipated career path in an accounting or finance career. I enjoyed the material and work atmosphere. The projects I completed were new to me, but I was able to use problem solving and knowledge from my classes to do my best work. I am looking forward to obtaining another internship in the same area next summer.
Now that you have completed an internship, what advice would you give students about internships?
Students should definitely pursue internship opportunities in areas related to their course of study. The real-life experience you gain is extremely valuable. You’ll have a better idea on whether you truly enjoy the material you study as a part of your major. As an intern, remember to always be mindful of ways to learn as much as possible. Some of the skills you learn are not typically taught in the classroom. These skills will be important in helping you obtain success in your future career.
