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Alumni and Advancement
Internship Stories: Ava Simmons
Ava Simmons
Major: Accounting
Grad Year: Spring 2026
Hometown: Seattle, WA
I worked as a summer Audit Intern at KPMG Portland, assisting audit associates with tasks such as researching internal controls, filling out work papers, gathering questions for the clients, consolidating meeting notes, and helping with the audit team’s day-to-day management. I worked on three different audit engagements, which helped me get to know different client types and team styles.
I found this internship through an informational interview with a UP alum. One of my professional development professors recommended the KPMG employee as a good contact to get advice from as I begin to think about post-graduation plans. During our coffee chat, she mentioned the internship and connected me with the Portland recruiter. The Career Education Center was very supportive throughout the interview process.
There were many memorable moments during the internship. From a training weekend with over 900 interns at their national facility in Florida to Friday pickleball matches with my engagement team, the company did their best to help us feel connected and appreciated.
The most rewarding experience was the chance to do research on controls and present my findings and recommendations to a manager on the audit team, which was a rare opportunity for an intern. The problem-solving skills and confidence I gained in this learning experience will greatly support me in the future, as I have accepted my return offer with the company and will be starting as an audit associate in the fall.
My advice to UP students is to take advantage of being a college student! You have so many incredible resources at your disposal, and people are so willing to help you. Visit the Career Education Center, reach out to alumni to get coffee, and visit office hours. Being a college student puts you in a unique position where people are happy to be open and help you learn.
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