At Tidwell Group, we value and embrace the opportunity to have interns in our Tax and Audit departments each year.
Each intern brings unique skills and abilities to our team and we are so thankful for their commitment to learning and growing alongside our staff. Take a look at what our past interns have thought about their experience at Tidwell Group!
Name: Stephanie Downing
School: Auburn
Intern Year: Spring 2017
Tax or Audit Team: Tax
Office: Birmingham
What was your favorite part of the recruiting process?
My favorite part of the recruiting process was getting to meet new people and getting to learn more about what accountants actually do on a day to day basis. I really enjoyed talking with people that are doing the real work that I’ve learned about in my classes and getting to hear what they like most about it.
Why did you choose to intern with Tidwell Group?
The thing that was most important to me when deciding where to intern was finding a group of people that I liked and could relate to. When I went to the bowling social with Tidwell Group and got to talk with the staff members, I really felt like these were “my people”!
What advice would you give someone going through the recruiting process now?
Be yourself and keep an open mind. Don’t try to be something or someone that you aren’t. Be who you are and you will find people that will accept you for that. If you have to act like someone you aren’t, you won’t be happy at work.
Why did you choose to do a Tax internship?
I chose tax because I really liked my tax class and my tax return project. I enjoy that kind of work because it feels like a big puzzle.
What were your key takeaways from your internship?
You aren’t expected to graduate and know everything. You aren’t meant to be a pro. Your workplace will teach you what you need to know and you will never stop learning and growing.
What is your position now and what do you do on a day-to-day basis?
I am now a Tax Associate. I am doing the same type of returns that I did during my internship but on a more advanced basis. They are giving me harder projects so that I can continue to learn and grow.
How have you grown since your internship?
I’ve learned that I need to be ok with making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, even the people that have been working for a long time. It is ok to not know everything. Everyone is human and we make mistakes. These mistakes help us learn and grow into a better accountant.
Words that other staff members used to describe Stephanie:
Extremely outgoing, funny, personable.
What is one thing that you can’t live without?
Coffee!
What is your favorite thing to do in Birmingham?
I really like to go to concerts — There are so many cool venues in Birmingham. And I love going to the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market!
