A finance internship at Hewlett-Packard (HP) offers a valuable stepping stone for college students aiming to launch a career in corporate finance. These internships provide hands-on experience within a global technology giant, allowing interns to apply classroom knowledge to real-world financial challenges.
As a finance intern at HP, you might find yourself working within various departments, exposing you to a broad range of financial functions. Potential rotations include financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, treasury, or even internal audit. This breadth of exposure allows you to explore different areas and discover your specific interests within finance.
In FP&A, you could assist in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. This involves working with large datasets, developing financial models, and presenting insights to management. You’ll learn how to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze business performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
Within accounting, you might contribute to the month-end close process, assist with preparing financial statements, or support audits. This provides a solid foundation in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and an understanding of how financial information is recorded and reported. You could also gain experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, or reconciliation processes.
A treasury rotation could involve assisting with cash management, foreign exchange risk management, or investment analysis. This provides insights into how HP manages its financial resources and mitigates financial risks in a global marketplace.
Regardless of the specific department, HP finance interns typically work on a variety of projects, both individually and as part of a team. These projects often require strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication. Interns are expected to be proactive, take initiative, and contribute to the team’s success.
Beyond the technical skills, an HP finance internship also fosters professional development. Interns often participate in networking events, workshops, and mentoring programs. This provides opportunities to connect with experienced professionals, learn about different career paths within finance, and develop essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Landing an HP finance internship can be competitive. Successful candidates typically have a strong academic record, relevant coursework in finance or accounting, and excellent analytical and communication skills. Previous internship experience or involvement in extracurricular activities related to finance can also be beneficial.
Overall, a finance internship at HP is an excellent opportunity for college students to gain valuable experience, develop essential skills, and network with professionals in the field. It can be a significant stepping stone towards a successful career in corporate finance, opening doors to future employment opportunities at HP and other leading companies.