One internship, two continents, three service lines
Steffen, how did you first hear about Rödl & Partner as a potential employer for an internship?
As part of my Bachelor’s degree, I had a compulsory internship semester in which I could either complete an internship or spend a semester abroad. I wanted to combine both, i.e. gain practical experience and experience abroad. As the internship was to be in the field of tax consultancy or auditing, I came across Rödl & Partner relatively quickly during my research. On closer inspection, I then realized that Rödl & Partner operates globally as a firm and does not rely on a network or anything similar. On the one hand, I found the business model very exciting and on the other hand, I thought that my chances of doing an internship abroad would naturally also increase if I did it at a German consulting firm.
Can you still remember your application process? How did it go back then, were there any particularities?
The first special feature was the way I made contact. I used the contact form on Rödl & Partner’s USA page to ask whether an internship there was generally possible. Normally, this contact form is intended for inquiries from potential clients. I received a relatively prompt reply to my inquiry from the HR department in Germany, which then forwarded my application documents to the team in the USA after a brief exchange. In addition to the usual documents, the application documents also included a two-page letter of motivation. This was followed by three interviews with employees from the USA. These were all very pleasant. The first interview was with a former intern who told me about her time as an intern. As a result, I already knew roughly what to expect in a possible internship. The second interview was with an Associate Partner who was born in Hamburg. I talked to her about life in Atlanta and the use of German accounting and tax law in the USA. The final interview then took place with a partner, in which it was primarily about personal fit and my motivation rather than technical issues. However, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to shine with knowledge of American tax law.
The first few weeks in the USA were particularly exciting. In addition to my new job, I had to take care of many other things [...] however, my German colleagues at Rödl & Partner in the USA were able to help me in this case, as they had already gone through these steps themselves. At times, however, the initial period also felt like a vacation. I flew over from Germany in February and didn't have to unpack my winter jacket in Atlanta.
Internship at Rödl & Partner
How did you experience your first days and weeks in the USA?
The first few weeks in the USA were particularly exciting. In addition to my new job, I had to take care of many other things, such as applying for a social security number, an American bank account and an American driver’s license. However, my German colleagues at Rödl & Partner in the USA were able to help me in this case, as they had already gone through these steps themselves. In addition, everyone was understanding when I had to go to the office or bank during working hours. One of the highlights of the first few weeks was certainly the Busy Season End Party, where you could get to know your colleagues outside of work. At times, however, the initial period also felt like a vacation. I flew over from Germany in February and didn’t have to unpack my winter jacket in Atlanta.
What was your working day like and how did you unwind after work?
Of course there are also flexible working hours at Rödl & Partner in the USA, but I usually started work at 8:30 am. During my time there, I worked in different teams. This gave me an insight into auditing, tax consulting and BPO. I usually always had a fixed contact person who assigned me tasks. If my contact person didn’t have anything for me to do, I asked other colleagues, who were also happy to give me tasks and help me with questions. As I unfortunately didn’t get to experience the entire busy season in Audit, I thought it was very cool that Rödl & Partner in the USA offered an audit simulation for the summer interns. The joint training sessions and the subsequent activities with the interns from the other Rödl offices in the USA were also always a lot of fun. Another highlight was definitely the lunch breaks, during which I usually got food from outside with other colleagues, which we then ate together in the break room.
After work, I often went to the gym, played tennis or golf. I also did a lot of things with my roommates after work, like going out for dinner or watching movies together. From the summer onwards, there were regular Young Professionals meetings in Atlanta with other interns and young professionals from different European countries. These were always great fun and you quickly made lots of new friends.
Therefore, an internship at Rödl & Partner, this time in Germany, was still a perfect match for me. During my time in the USA, I made contact with the M&A team in Cologne.
Internship at Rödl & Partner
What was your next step at Rödl & Partner in Cologne?
Towards the end of the internship, my boss approached me and asked me whether I could imagine starting a permanent position in the USA after completing my bachelor’s degree or whether I would otherwise like to get to know Rödl & Partner in Germany. The second option was a good way of combining two things. On the one hand, I definitely wanted to obtain a Master’s degree, but at the same time I also wanted to complete an internship in the M&A area. Therefore, an internship at Rödl & Partner, this time in Germany, was still a perfect match for me. During my time in the USA, I made contact with the M&A team in Cologne. After these talks also went very well, I worked in the Cologne M&A advisory team for a total of 6 months after my bachelor’s degree and before starting my master’s degree.
Would you recommend an internship at Rödl & Partner?
I can definitely recommend an internship at Rödl & Partner, both in Germany and abroad. I gained many exciting insights into the world of consulting, learned a lot and always had great colleagues with whom I am still in contact after my active time at Rödl & Partner.
What’s next for you personally, what are your next goals?
I started my Master’s degree in Auditing, Taxation, Law and Finance at the TH Cologne last October. Before I finally start my career, I would like to gain more practical experience and look at other areas in the world of corporate finance.
Thank you very much for the interview and good luck with your studies!