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Plan B
June 14, 2002

My interview process for an internship this summer was very unusual compared to most people.  Last summer I was fortunate enough to participate in the Arthur Andersen Leadership Program and by September 2001, I had already been offered an internship for the following summer [summer 2002].  

I thought I was well ahead of the game since interviews for internships didn’t start until February or March [2002].  Throughout the year, I held on to my internship despite the allegations brought against Andersen.  The company kept me informed during this period and insisted that it would be many months and even years before anything drastic would happen.  Interviews with the other Big Five Firms came and went on campus, but I still had my internship.  

However, by the end March it was becoming clear that Andersen's future was shortening dramatically.  Because recruiting on campus was over, I had to take it upon myself to contact any firms I was interested in.  I called several firms to find out the name of the head recruiter at that specific office so I could directly address my resume to each of them.  I also enclosed a cover letter explaining my situation.  

Within a week of sending out my resume, I had heard from most of the firms.  While most firms had filled all of its internship positions for the summer, Ernst & Young told me that there were some openings and I had to fill out a standard application.  When I heard back from Ernst & Young I was told that their regular internships had been filled but if I was interested, I could interview for their Mentor Program.  

The format interview was slightly different from previous interviews I have had.  I interviewed solely with the campus recruiter, rather than having several smaller interviews with managers and partners, which can be intimidating.  The interview lasted about an hour in which I described past work experience and was asked questions about challenging situations I have been in at work.  Generally, it was a more laid back interview than ones I had previously been exposed to.  

Although, the interview process does become easier after you have done a few.  From these past few months I have learned that it is always good to have a back-up plan.  Although I do not think I could have ever anticipated what happened to Andersen, it would not have hurt me to go through interviews on campus when they were being offered.  I consider myself lucky that Ernst & Young still had openings in the program.  Right now I am waiting to find out the dates for the planned events.

[Editor:  On Saturday, June 15, 2002, Andersen was found guilty of obstructing the SEC's investigation of Enron's collapse.  Andersen plans to appeal the guilty verdict.]

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