Internships, volunteer work can help
Prior work experience may be a requisite for college students keen to get their foot in the door with employers, according to an Accountemps survey. More than three-quarters (78 per cent) of CFOs interviewed said it is important for entry level accounting and finance professionals to gain practical experience while in college.
When 270 CFOs were asked, "How important is it for entry-level accounting and finance professionals to have gained work experience in the field while in college?" they responded:
|
Very important |
32% |
|
Somewhat important |
46% |
|
Somewhat unimportant |
5% |
|
Not at all important |
2% |
|
Don’t know/no answer |
15% |
"Even for entry level roles, many employers are in search of new hires who can apply their previous experience and contribute to the organization immediately," said Kathryn Bolt, Canadian president of Accountemps. "Although this may seem like a catch-22, where it's difficult to land a job without experience or gain experience without a job, candidates who have internships or temporary assignments on their resumé are more marketable to a prospective company."
