From college to career: Internships prep USCA business major for a future

For one senior accounting student, the path from the classroom passion to real-world experience began with supportive professors and guidance from Career Services.  

“Internships are important for future careers since they confirm or deny an area of work and provide an opportunity to meet people and build a network,” said Ansley Dial, USCA ‘26. 

She said she fell in love with accounting because “the professors were always really enthusiastic, and it kind of just clicked with me,” but beyond the classroom, Dial has had the opportunity to complete three different internships. Her varied experiences included working with a non-profit organization, a Fortune 500 company, and a nuclear facility.   

“It has been really neat to see how different places operate,” she said.   

Dial spent part of the summer interning at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions within the site training records department. This team ensures employees are trained and their information is up to date in the system to ensure safety while on the job.  

In the spring, she interned in Augusta with ADP, a Fortune 500 payroll services company. She worked with the small business services division, tackling a project that helped ensure statewide compliance with unemployment issues. 

Carleigh Whitaker, client service manager II at ADP, praised Dial for the professionalism, curiosity, and dedication she demonstrated throughout her internship. 

"She approached the internship with curiosity, accountability, and professionalism, and it showed both her results and how confidently she spoke about them. Those are qualities that will serve you well as you continue your career,” Whitaker said. “Ansley successfully rectified over fifty accounts for our small business owners, helping prevent tax implications related to their state account IDs. Thank you for the energy and thoughtfulness you brought to the team." 

Before that, she spent about nine months serving as a fiscal intern at Aiken Barnwell County’s Community Action Agency. In this accounting role, she helped with internal audits, fiscal-year close-out and budgeting.  

Dial said what she learned from USCA School of Business professors gave her the skills to operate and adapt in various offices. She also found her leadership and communication classes to be very helpful in the workplace. 

“Being ethical in the workplace, carrying yourself professionally and knowing how to correctly write emails are all very important in jobs,” Dial said. 

She found each of her internships through USCA’s Career Services and postings around campus. Dial attended the Career Services’ Internship Week and other events where she met recruiters to find good fits for the employers’ needs and her skill sets and interests.  

“Get help from the Career Services office; have your resume reviewed; attend networking and career fair events and take advantage of the free headshots that the career office offers,” she advises fellow Pacers. 

In addition to internships and other experiential learning opportunities, Dial also recommends creating professional networking profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn or Handshake. 

“There is a learning curve anywhere you go, and even though in classes you learn the gist of how businesses operate, you really don’t know until you’re in a business,” she said.

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