In turn with Austin Cunningham

Before joining ECU and the College of Business, Austin Cunningham thought he’d major in pre-pharmacy, but that didn’t last.

“After working in a pharmacy, I decided I wouldn’t enjoy it as a career,” said Cunningham, a Kinston-native who does enjoy going to church, playing hockey and spending time with loved ones. “I made the switch to business and ended up enjoying accounting.”

Made the switch he did.

Cunningham received his BSBA in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting.  He spoke with us about his recent internship with Barrow, Parris and Davenport, a full-service certified public accounting firm out of Kinston.

How did you learn about this internship opportunity? What were your responsibilities?

I was looking for internships for the summer of 2021. I called BPD to see if they offered internships, and I was given the email of Jay Parris, one of the owners. We connected via email, and eventually, I began my internship.

How have you applied what you learned in your classwork to this position?

My classwork has prepared me for some of the basic accounting things I have done.

What was the most challenging thing you experienced during your internship, and how did what you learned in the COB help you overcome it? 

Most things were challenging. My undergrad degree wasn’t in accounting, and I recently took a couple of accounting courses for my MSA. Eventually, I was able to learn new things, and over time, things became easier. Asking questions and making sure to stay focused enabled me to complete my tasks.

How did you apply what you learned in BUSI 1200, BUSI 2200, BUSI 3200 or BUSI 4200 to your internship? 

BUSI 2200 taught me the skills to be a team player and a leader at times. When performing an audit, you are working with a group of people. Being able to interact with groups professionally and effectively is key to completing your task.

What has this internship taught you about responsibility?

I had more responsibility during the internship than I thought I would. There were times I was given information and told to write financials, for example. It taught me that I had to be independent and get my work done even when no one was around.

How will this internship benefit you?

This internship gave me experience in the accounting field. Because of this internship, I have experiences to put on my resume, and it will hopefully help me stand out from others when I begin my job search.

Why would you recommend a business student take advantage of an internship opportunity?

Internships will help you gain experience in your desired field of study. Also, you will have a chance to interact with others and really see if you want that job as a career. For me, this internship solidified my decision to be a CPA.

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• Accounting