Internship Insights: Jenna’s Path to Professional Growth at JCCS
For Jenna Gibson, who’s headed for MSU’s MPAc program after earning her bachelor’s in accounting this spring, pairing an internship with her education was meaningful.
“It’s very different from what I was learning in school. I had never seen a brokerage statement, for example, before I started my internship.”
She interned at JCCS, Montana’s largest locally owned public accounting firm, during busy season—crunch time for accountants.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I thought I might be grabbing coffee for all the accountants, so I was pleasantly surprised to be thrown into the mix. I felt like I was contributing to the team and learning.”
JCCS offers annual spring internships and is developing a summer program for accounting students across the state. Growing professionally is a core belief at the firm, and Jenna saw it first-hand.
“Everyone at JCCS was so kind and willing to answer 40 million questions. It was incredible to have them as a resource and to learn which is ultimately what you hope to get out of an internship.”
Jenna says her professors at MSU emphasized the importance of interning. “They said it’s an experience you can’t get in class,” she says.
The internship didn’t just offer a learning opportunity; Jenna also received a job offer from JCCS. She will start her new full-time role after completing the MPAc program.
Looking back, Jenna is grateful for the hands-on experience she received and looks forward to a bright future in accounting.
“I think this is the first job I’ve had where I felt like I was doing something important.”
