Well, as my internship is nearing the end, it is nice to take some time to reflect. When I first started, it’s safe to say that my nerves were all over the place as this was my first internship and I had no clue what to expect. I quickly realized there was nothing to be nervous about, and that I was exactly where I needed to be. I had heard all about the “Cohen Culture” before I started, but I obviously hadn’t experienced it yet … and, honestly, employees are not wrong when they tell you that it’s the best thing about working at Cohen & Company. Everyone made me feel so welcome and encouraged me to take part in certain things. Although the work in our industry isn’t necessarily the most exciting, the people here make it worth every second.

Truthfully, I think people underestimate the value that an internship has. For me, it was hard to imagine what my future in accounting could entail without even getting the opportunity to see what a day as an accountant looks like. Not only did I get the opportunity to gain some real world experience, but I also realized how vast accounting is. There are a bunch of different services that are offered, as well as various industries that accountants work for. I spent my internship working in the real estate and construction industry, which I really liked. The people that I worked with were a nice bonus too!

Some advice:
If you’re reading this as a new intern, my advice to you would be to not be afraid to ask questions. I felt like a pest for asking my learning buddy/overseers so many questions, but every single time I was assured that they were happy to help and they’d rather me ask than stare at my computer screen clueless. Having a supportive environment makes all the difference, as well as working for a company that encourages learning and development.

The time I’ve spent working at Cohen & Company has given me a concrete vision of the type of accounting firm I see myself working for. The culture at this firm thrives on continuous education and helping the company achieve its overall goals. This has undoubtably been an excellent experience for me as I continue forward in my accounting career.

Gia DiFabio, Youngstown State University