Internship Program
Internship Program
Internal Audit has been offering an internship program since 2008. Since that time, Internal Audit has provided 34 University students with internships.
The internship program is geared for students enrolled in accounting (undergraduate as well as MAcc) or an IT related field, depending on Internal Audit needs. Interns are typically sought for the Spring semester (January through April) and Summer sessions (May through August).
Interns work in a professional, hands-on environment that provides relevant and real-life job experience. Interns assist Internal Audit staff in conducting financial, operational, compliance, or IT audits of selected units and processes throughout the University. Interns interact with personnel of areas under review to collect, organize, and analyze audit data, determine if units are in compliance with University policies and procedures, and address identified audit issues.
Applications for the internship are typically posted in September/October for the upcoming spring internship and January/February for the upcoming summer internship. Internships are posted in Workday.
Meet Our Current Interns
Spring 2024 Intern:
Matthew Tardy - [email protected]
Past Intern Experiences:
“My internship experience with the Penn State Department of Internal Audit was incredibly valuable. I had the opportunity to actively participate in audit engagements, including conducting interviews, data analysis, and documentation. Collaborating with senior auditors on audit reports and presentations to management was an excellent learning experience.
"One of the highlights of my internship was the exposure to audit tools and data analytics software, which allowed me to uncover trends and insights from large datasets. This hands-on experience enhanced my analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills significantly.
"I also had the privilege of going on a campus audit and working on executive expenses, which provided a well-rounded understanding of internal audit processes. Overall, this internship has been instrumental in my professional development, and I'm eager to continue honing my skills in the field.”
"During my internship with Penn State Internal Audit Department, I was exposed to a variety of projects, which helped further develop my knowledge in accounting and learn more about the functions of an educational institution. I found it valuable to learn the full audit process by creating workpapers, completing different analytical tests, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending improvements for the department under audit. The various audits I was involved in challenged me to learn about different areas of the University and how they could mitigate risk in their processes. My communication skills improved over the duration of the internship by discussing audit procedures with other staff members and interacting with the Penn State departments that were being audited. I also gain experience with a wide variety of information systems such as SAP, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Auto Audit.
"The Penn State Internal Audit Department provided me with a unique experience that incorporated the goals I had set in the beginning of the internship. I appreciated the support from the staff members for making sure I had a successful internship experience. "
“Going into this internship, I really did not know much about internal audit. After being able to take the lead and work on real world projects and tasks, I can confidently say that I have gained so much knowledge surrounding the processes of internal audit and how the University runs beyond the student eye. I have also been able to develop new skills that have helped me become more confident in how I present myself in a professional environment.”