SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMER INTERNS 

Student: Nicole Scott
Concentration:  Accounting
Minor: Actuarial Math
Internship Site:  Raytheon, Billerica, MA

How did you locate your internship?

This was my 2^nd year interning at Raytheon.  They attended the career fair last year in March and I was surprised to see them there, but none-the-less I gave the representative my resume. Two or three weeks after the career fair, I was notified by the recruiter about an internship!

What were your major responsibilities?

I worked for Raytheon International Support Company (RISCO) within the tax department. My main project was to perform tax equalization calculations. A TEC provides for tax neutrality of an overseas assignment (it calculates their taxes for what they would have paid if they worked in the US). RISCO provides administrative support for the deployment of expatriates and their dependents. I also assisted the operation & logistics and the accounting departments with small tasks.

In addition to working full time in the office, the finance intern coordinator at Raytheon organized a major community service project for the finance interns. I was on a team of 6 interns who volunteered at Lawrence High School for the Let’s Get Ready program. We worked an additional 6 hours a week coaching students. The LRG program is a SAT Prep program for 1^st generation high school students from the Lawrence, MA area. We coached in math, reading and writing and provided information about our college experiences.  At the end of our internship, we presented to top executives from Finance.  

What did you learn about the profession?

The tasks assigned to me from tax were really spontaneous – each country has different tax rules and regulations so the work was not redundant at all.  I had no prior experience with tax, so my internship heavily prepared me for my tax classes and the other accounting classes. This internship exceeded my expectations, the work environment was professional but also relaxing and not tense. I became an asset to the team and developed  great networking skills for the future.

Having an accounting degree can lead you into many different fields of business.

What did you find most challenging about your internship?

The community service – I was not prepared to work more than 40 hours a week, and I lived quite far from Lawrence so travelling such a long distance was difficult.  Also, not having any training or tax knowledge set me a little bit behind at in the field of work I was doing.

What did you find most rewarding about your internship?

Actually the community service project – it was such a big part of my internship because we put in so many hours – even though it was only two days a week, we committed many hours outside or work because we had to prepare for the lectures.  I was able to give back to the Raytheon community and help students beyond what they would have learned in the classroom. I was a rewarding experience and I gained a new found respect for professors.   

What did you learn about yourself?

Sometimes the workload was light so I would put things off until the last minute. In doing so I learned that I work well under pressure. One thing that surprised me was that I am shy when it comes to speaking out in large groups and talking with people who work at higher levels. 

The Amica Center for Career Education will be open during winter break and students are welcome to use the Career Library and/or meet with a career counselor during this time to discuss other internship opportunities.  Stop in to make an appointment or give us a call at 401-232-6090.