While many college students pursue internships close to home, Northern Michigan University accounting majors Kamryn Webb and Molly Lindow chose a path that carried them thousands of miles away, to Anchorage, Alaska. Their placement with BDO, the world's fifth-largest public accounting firm, highlights both the strength of NMU's AACSB-accredited accounting program and the national opportunities available to its students.
In their roles, Webb and Lindow are gaining hands-on experience completing tax returns, preparing financial statements and working with depreciation schedules, core skills that mirror the expectations of entry-level professionals in the field.
“Although internships are not a formal requirement in our program, we strongly encourage them because of the tremendous career advantages they provide,” said NMU Accounting Professor Stacy Boyer-Davis. “Accounting firms frequently offer paid internships with incentives such as signing bonuses, early job offers and support for CPA exam preparation. These experiences allow our students to graduate with meaningful professional experience, reduced certification costs and strong employment prospects already in place.”
Lindow, originally from Nevis, Minn., was already familiar with Alaska after working summers for a fishing charter in Sitka. When the opportunity for a winter accounting internship arose, she saw it as the perfect chance to expand her experience even further.
“Having an internship far from campus opens so many possibilities for your life," she said. "It pushes you out of your comfort zone. But it also allows you to meet so many new people and experience so many new things. I am using this off-campus internship as a way to test drive potential cities to move to after graduation, but it is also a great way to live and see a place that you wouldn't have before.”
Webb, who is from East Jordan, Mich., said relocating across the country was a difficult decision, but one she believed would strengthen her both personally and professionally.
Both Webb and Lindow are on track to graduate in May 2027, and their experiences already reflect the high-impact, career-focused approach that defines NMU's accounting program.
“I have enjoyed learning more about different accounting software and the ins and outs of working for an accounting firm,” said Webb. “I believe the benefit of an internship far from campus is seeing more of the world. I think travelling and taking advantage of the opportunities to experience new places while you are young and have the flexibility to do so is an amazing way to grow.”
NMU's accounting faculty maintain extensive professional networks across the country, helping students secure internships in a wide range of industries and geographic locations.
“Our strong relationships with accounting firms and organizations nationwide allow us to connect students with high-quality internships that align with their interests and career goals,” said Boyer-Davis. “Because employers know our students are well prepared, they actively seek out NMU accounting majors, giving our program a national reach and a highly effective internship pipeline.” Students in the accounting program pursue internships in public accounting firms, private industry, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, reflecting the versatility of the degree and the broad demand for accounting expertise.
According to Boyer-Davis, national workforce data continues to show a significant shortage of accountants, particularly Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). For NMU students, internships often serve as a direct bridge to employment, with many receiving job offers before graduation.
Both students credit early influences for guiding them toward accounting. Webb discovered her interest in high school through a teacher who encouraged her to compete in Business Professionals of America (BPA), while Lindow found her path after switching her major from biochemistry to accounting with encouragement from her mother.
Although moving far from family and friends was challenging, both agree the experience has confirmed they chose the right profession. Outside the office, they have embraced life in Alaska, enjoying outdoor ice skating, sunset hikes and scenic trails, and even spotting moose outside their windows, making the internship as memorable personally as it has been professionally.