KPMG’s Empower High School Experience Internship - 6 Reasons to Apply
If you’re a high school student keen on pursuing finance, accounting, or business in college and later, interning at an international accounting firm can be a solid place to start. In this blog, we'll take an in-depth look at KPMG's Empower High School Experience, an internship program designed to encourage and equip high school students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in today's business landscape.
An accounting internship is more than just working with spreadsheets and numbers; it involves using and honing critical problem-solving skills, gaining insights into financial management intricacies, and establishing a strong foundation for a future in the industry. These internships will also allow you to gain practical, real-world experience in accounting and increase your competitiveness on college applications by demonstrating your commitment to your chosen field.
What is the KPMG Empower High School Experience?
The KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience is a 3-week paid internship program designed to provide high school students with a comprehensive and hands-on introduction to the world of accounting and professional services. This new program has been launched in partnership with their national nonprofit collaborators and funded by the KPMG U.S. Foundation.
This internship is a key part of KPMG U.S.’s Accelerate 2025 strategy. It aims to encourage accounting majors from underrepresented communities and the number of accounting professionals overall. This experience invites high school students from all backgrounds, who are just beginning to navigate their academic and career journey, to explore new career paths, develop new skills, and build a professional network.
By providing immersive learning opportunities, mentorship, and exposure to real-world business challenges, KPMG aims to empower the next generation of leaders. This initiative will not only foster academic and professional growth but will also encourage you to explore your potential and develop a deeper understanding of the corporate world.
How is the internship structured?
The KPMG Empower High School Experience is a three-week paid internship that will introduce high school students from diverse backgrounds to careers in public accounting and professional services.
During the program, you will be encouraged to work in teams, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance your critical thinking abilities. This experience can serve as a valuable opportunity for participants to build a strong foundation for their future careers in finance, accounting, or business.
You’ll get to engage in interactive workshops, collaborate on real-world case studies, and interact with KPMG professionals. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and workshops led by industry experts, further enriching your understanding of the field.
Fields & Faculty
The KPMG Empower High School Experience will introduce you to the world of accounting and professional services including fundamental accounting principles, auditing procedures, tax concepts, and advisory services.
Throughout the program, you will engage in an enriching learning curriculum focused on personal development, relationship management, college, and career readiness, firm and industry knowledge, and curated experiences that will help you get acquainted with the KPMG culture.
Nearly 500 firm professionals will serve as coaches, mentors, content developers, facilitators, and volunteers to create a valuable and memorable KPMG experience for the participating high school interns.
Who is eligible?
To participate in the KPMG Empower High School Experience, you must:
Be a rising junior or senior in high school.
Be committed to all dates and times of the internship.
Live in commutable proximity to the KPMG local office and be able to participate in person during normal business hours.
The KPMG firm has collaborated with the National Association of Black Accountants’ Accounting Career Awareness Program, All Stars Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Cristo Rey Network, Junior Achievement USA, and NAF to identify students for this program.
Location
High school juniors and seniors participate in KPMG’s Empower High School Experience across 11 markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, and St. Louis.
Cost & Stipend
There is no cost to participate in the KPMG Empower High School Experience.
This summer program pays its interns a competitive wage between $20 - $25 an hour plus clothing, transportation stipends, and meals, including a business etiquette class, among other skill-building tools.
Cohort Size
Nearly 200 high school juniors and seniors participate in the KPMG Empower High School Experience across 11 markets in the US. Each market cohort consists of approximately 18-20 students.
6 Reasons to Apply to the KPMG Empower High School Experience
Real-World Work Experience
KPMG Empower High School Experience will provide you with leadership development opportunities, real-world work experience, and exposure to the accounting and finance industry. This internship program will not only foster academic and professional growth but will also encourage you to explore your potential and develop a deeper understanding of the corporate world.Mentorship From Experts
You will gain guidance and insights from experts and professionals in the finance sector. Many KPMG firm professionals serve as coaches, mentors, content developers, facilitators, and volunteers in this internship program to create a valuable experience for the interns.Great Networking Opportunities
During the program, you will attend networking events, seminars, and workshops where you have the chance to meet KPMG employees, as well as nonprofit leaders. KPMG is an extremely prestigious organization with a strong reputation in the accounting industry, and being selected as a high school intern can help you access and apply to renowned colleges, job opportunities, and scholarships.Prestigious Addition To Your Resume
Interning at a globally recognized accounting firm will boost your profile and enhance your college applications. Only around 200 participants are accepted across the United States making it competitive and prestigious. The program is fully funded, offers a stipend, and provides its participants with enriching opportunities, making it one of the most prestigious internships for a high school student in the summer. You can mention your work experience with your assigned organization in your resume, as well as recommendations gained from your mentors or coworkers for your college application.Competitive Stipend and Other Incentives
There is no cost to participate in this summer internship program and it offers the interns a competitive wage between $20 - $25 an hour plus clothing, transportation stipends, and meals. You’ll also get to attend a business etiquette class, among other skill-building tools.Professional and Personal Growth
You’ll get to engage in interactive workshops, collaborate on real-world case studies that require sophisticated thinking and innovative solutions, and interact with KPMG professionals. The ability to think on your feet and approach problems from unique angles is a highly valuable skill in any field. As for personal growth, stepping out of your comfort zone and working on real-world challenges fosters your teamwork skills, resourcefulness, and time management, as well as empathy and sensitivity towards different communities.
Our Review - Should You Apply?
KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience is a prestigious internship program that admits only around 200 participants each year making it a competitive program to get into. As it is held across 11 markets in the US, access to location can prove to be a deterrent for some students. But this internship program also offers great networking and mentorship opportunities so you will have the chance to connect with professionals at KPMG, learning from their experiences and insights along with earning a competitive wage. This can be valuable in making informed career choices and building professional relationships that will prove beneficial in the future.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.