This blog aims to summarize my journey so far and offer valuable tips to future interns. I am currently past the halfway point of my internship. On my first day at the Baltimore office, I was unsure about what to expect. As a quiet person, the idea of meeting new people was both exciting and nerve-wracking. However, I soon came to the realization that being outgoing and talking to as many people as possible on the first day is crucial. A simple introduction can go a long way in forming important connections early in the internship experience. Everyone I have met at Cohen & Company has been super nice and helpful.
The hybrid working environment comes with both advantages and disadvantages. As a college student who is accustomed to working from my room or house, I initially thought that I would love the flexibility of working from home for a few days of the week. Turns out, my initial thought was wrong. To this point in my internship, I have worked in the office almost every day and enjoy my 35-minute commute to work.
Working in the office, especially as a new intern, has allowed me to build stronger connections with a variety of people within the firm. The in-person experience has made it easier to interact with fellow interns in my group, enabling me to ask questions when needed. Simple office interactions and greetings help people get to know you. While everyone’s preferences vary, if possible, I would recommend going into the office as much as possible, even if it’s not mandatory.
At Cohen & Company, all interns receive exceptional care and are treated as if they are already full-time staff members on the team. Within three weeks, I was exposed to staff-level projects and assignments. As a tax intern within the private fund group, I now understand what type of work I would be doing within this area of public accounting.
While, initially, some of the work I received was confusing to me, I realized that asking questions early on instead of trying to figure it out myself is much more efficient. As an intern, it is important to recognize you may not be familiar with all the technical concepts, which makes asking questions one of your primary responsibilities. Throughout all hierarchies of the firm, from staff to partner, people here are always friendly, supportive and willing to help you, even if you have what seems like endless questions about your task.
Lastly, never decline the valuable opportunities to go out for lunch, happy hour or intern events. So far throughout my internship, I have had lunch with my team manager, attended a happy hour at a local restaurant, played games at Dave & Buster’s with other interns and I am going to the Baltimore Zoo for a crab feast later today! These events offer a chance to take a break from work to have fun and network with the people you work alongside. Best of luck to all the future interns!
Jonathan Pfeiffer, Penn State University
