When students ask about their first professional experience, their questions often go far beyond simple interest in a job opening.
They reflect a genuine desire to better understand the profession, explore real career growth opportunities, and hear honest insights from those already working within the team. That is why our interactions with students are more than just presentations about internship programs. They are an open space for dialogue — where we discuss career paths, professional areas, and the very first steps into the working world.
Meetings with students: online and offline
Throughout this academic year, our team actively engaged with students from across Ukraine, both online and in person.In particular, our online sessions included visits to Odesa National Economic University; Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies of Lviv; King Danylo University; Dnipro University of Technology; University of Customs and Finance; Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University; Uman National University; Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University; Zaporizhzhia National University; and Zaporizhzhia Institute of Economics and Information Technologies. During these meetings, we discussed internships as a first step toward gaining professional experience, shared practical advice, and answered the questions that truly matter to students.
We noticed that many of these questions were recurring, which inspired us to bring them together in one article — making it a useful resource for those who are just beginning to explore their future career paths.
“The opportunity to engage with professionals, ask questions, and hear real-life career stories often becomes the defining moment that helps students shape their future path. These interactions go beyond simply learning about internship opportunities — they allow students to better understand which career direction truly resonates with them. At BDO in Ukraine, our internship program is designed to support this journey. It enables students to explore different areas and discover where they can best apply their talents by working on real tasks across multiple departments.” Oleksii Kuznetsov Internship Curator, BDO in Ukraine
Frequently Asked Questions about the internship
- Is the internship paid? Yes, interns are officially employed: you will have an entry in your employment record from your first day, and your salary will be paid to your bank card.
- From which year of study can students apply? We invite students in their 3rd–6th years, as well as recent graduates. However, we occasionally make exceptions for motivated and promising students and invite them starting from their 2nd year.
- Is it possible to combine studies with work? Yes, we are flexible in accommodating students’ needs. If working from 9:00 to 18:00 is difficult, we offer schedules of 4 or 6 hours per day. This format can be agreed upon during the interview.
- Is remote work available? Yes, many students from different regions have successfully completed the internship remotely. We provide equipment, set up access, and help interns adapt more quickly. For those living in cities where our offices are located, online, offline, or hybrid formats are available.
- Is it worth gaining experience during your studies? Yes, as it allows students not only to gain theoretical knowledge but also to apply it in practice. This experience helps them better understand the profession, adapt to the real pace of work, and build their future career path with greater confidence.
- What should a student who is just starting their career choose: an internship or a full-time position right away? For most students, an internship is the best way to enter the profession gradually — through real tasks, mentor support, and the opportunity to better understand their strengths. A full-time position is better suited for those who already have solid knowledge, a clear direction for development, and a strong theoretical foundation.
Career paths at BDO in Ukraine
Internships most often become a strong first step for those considering a career in audit, business analytics, accounting outsourcing, or tax advisory.At the same time, practice shows that students who demonstrate strong performance during their internship can later grow into other areas — including ESG, marketing, business valuation, transfer pricing, IT audit, taxonomy (XBRL), or international relations.
Hands-on experience: audit hackathon
This year, we also visited Dnipro University of Technology in an offline format.There, we held an audit hackathon for students from various fields, including management, economics, finance, accounting, and auditing.
A hackathon is an intensive, hands-on learning format in which participants work in teams on a real business case within a limited timeframe. Its main goal was to bring students closer to real audit tasks, demonstrate the specifics of the profession in practice, and give them the opportunity to experience what teamwork looks like.
Participants were grouped into teams of 5–7 people, each led by a team leader. After conducting a detailed analysis of the task and discussing possible solutions within their teams, participants presented their approaches to solving the case, substantiating their conclusions and receiving feedback from professionals.
We are grateful for the opportunity to organize an engaging hands-on event for students, where they could test their skills through case-based tasks, gain a deeper understanding of the specifics of audit, and interact with professionals. This time, the event featured:
— Maryna Zaboy (Head of Methodology and Quality Control)
— Vadym Chernovol (Audit Partner)
— Oleksandr Zakaznov (Audit Manager)
After the company presentation and an overview of auditors’ work, students were divided into teams and given the same case study. Each team worked on solving it by applying their knowledge, making it a great opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a learning environment.
Our experts also explained the key aspects of determining materiality and highlighted what students should pay attention to, using the case as a practical example.
First steps toward a career
We sincerely thank the students for their enthusiasm, engagement, and willingness to ask thoughtful questions. It is precisely these kinds of interactions that help better understand the specifics of the profession and take the first steps toward choosing a future career path.If you are looking to gain practical experience, work on real tasks, and define your professional focus, we encourage you to explore internship opportunities at BDO in Ukraine. We are always glad to connect with students who are eager to grow, actively explore their career paths, and are ready to confidently begin their professional journey.
