WCU Business Internship Knowledge Center

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• Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs Free Student Membership
  
  • Join the organization to connect with the professionals and leverage the free resources in the community. The organization also provides scholarships and CPA exam grants.
• PA Society of Tax and Accounting Professionals Free Student Membership
  
  • Join the organization as an undergraduate for free and connect with professionals through the network and events. The organization also provides scholarships.
• BDO Pathway to Success Program Mentorship
  
  • BDO’s Pathway to Success program helps students make informed decisions about their major and future career. The mentorship connects students with a BDO professional for personalized guidance in the accounting and advisory professions.
  • Application Period: Registration opens in April; the program runs from June to November.
• Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Mentoring Program
  
  • Enroll as a mentee and identify your mentors from the IMA member directory. Join as a student member at a reduced membership rate of $25. The organization also offers scholarships.
  • Application Period: Ongoing Application.
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Mentoring Program
  
  • The CIMA Mentoring Programme connects aspiring and experienced finance and business professionals in a structured, supportive relationship. Join for free as an AICPA Student Affiliate Member. The organization also offers scholarships and CPA Exam grants.
  • Application Period: Open in July.
• Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) Mentoring Program
  
  • The AMA mentoring program helps grow accounting firm professionals, such as marketers, business developers, CPAs, firm administrators, who impact a firm’s growth and sustainability.
  • Who can Apply: Active AAM membership status. Membership fee is $150 for students.
  • Application Period: Applications are accepted annually. Need to monitor the timeline.
• Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance (AFWA) Mentoring Program
  
  • Join as a student member (costs of $90 a year) to connect with professionals and participate in the mentor-mentee programs. The association also offers Undergraduate Scholarships to support the costs of attending 3rd, 4th, or 5th year when pursuing an accounting or finance degree.
  • Application Period: appears to be ongoing.
• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Free Student Membership
  
  • Join the NABA as a student member for free and connect with the Philadelphia Chapter. Participate in their programs and consider the NABA national scholarships.
• The Alliance of Black Women Accountants (ABWA) Mentorship Program
  
  • The mentoring program facilitates collaborative relationships between experienced ABWA professionals (mentors) and individuals developing their careers in accounting and finance (mentees). 
  • Who can Apply: ABWA members (free student membership).
  • Application Period: Spring Cohort (October 1 to February 28); Fall Cohort (April 1 to September 30)
  • The organization also offers scholarships.
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Mentoring Program
  
  • The ACFE Mentoring Program connects you to anti-fraud professionals.
  • Or join the ACFE Philadelphia Chapter to participate in their events and connect with industry professionals.
  • Who can Apply: ACFE members in good standing
  • Application Period: The match period for mentees to search the Mentor Directory for potential mentors is ongoing and will not close.
• The Institute of Internal Auditors Emerging Leaders Mentoring Program
  
  • The Emerging Leaders Mentoring Program provides guidance and mentoring to emerging professionals in the internal audit, risk management, and IT audit professions.
  • Who can Apply: IIA membership required. Free membership for students.
  • Application Period: August 1 - September 15
  • The organization also provides scholarships. 
• Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Free Student Membership
  
  • Join the AGA with free student membership for full-time students, connect with professionals, access its resources, participate in local chapter events, and apply for scholarships.
• National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP) Mentors Luncheon & Career Symposium
  
  • Join the NASP as a student member (cost of $25) and participate in their mentoring luncheon and events, and apply for their scholarships. Sign up for newsletters to get informed about the events.

• National Association for Business Economics
  
  • Join the NABE as a student member (cost $30 a year), connect with professionals in the field, apply for their scholarships, and join the Philadelphia Council for Business Economics for their monthly meetings.
• NAREA Career Advancement and Mentorship (CAM) Program
  
  • The Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association mentorship program accepts applications for new fellows for this two-year program in odd years. Fellows are matched with a mentor with whom they will work in year one of the program. The objective of this one-to-one mentoring is to advance objectives outlined in the mentee’s Individual Development Plan (IDP).
  • Application Period: contact the committee chair for details.
• The Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Mentoring Program
  
  • Join the AAEA as a student member (cost of $25 a year), connect with professionals in the field. The association has many mentoring resources. The established mentoring program is more geared towards graduate students, but you can still connect with the professionals and participate in their events to learn more about the field.
• Sadie Collective Mentoring Program
  
  • The Sadie Collective addresses the pipeline and pathway challenge for people from underrepresented backgrounds in the field of economics and related disciplines across the world. It hosts two Research Receptions annually, and scholars are offered the opportunity to present their research and are provided a mentor in their field of study. At the annual Conference, there is a Mentorship Roundtable for attendees to meet with mentors in their field of interest. Sign up for the newsletter to stay informed of their events and offerings.

• CFA Institute Investment Career Accelerator Network
  
  • Join the network for free as a university student, connect with professionals in the industry, and participate in the local events at the CFA Society Philadelphia.
• CFA Society Philadelphia Inve$t in Her Future Mentorship Program
  
  • The CFAP Inve$t in Her Future Mentorship Program gives female students the opportunity to receive a mentor who is a CFA Charterholder in the Philadelphia area to engage in knowledge sharing around the Investment/Finance industry.
  • Who can Apply: Female student member.
  • Application Period: twice a year, in the Fall and Spring. Ongoing sign-up.
• Financial Planning Association Mentor Match
  
  • FPA Mentor Match is a unique online networking and career development tool that can help you find and connect with other professionals in financial planning. 
  • Who can Apply: FPA members. Student membership as an Aspiring Financial Planner at the cost of $53.
  • Application Period: Ongoing application.
• FPA Philly Mentorship
  
  • Get involved with FPA Philly through our one-on-one mentorship program launching in March. Newer planners will be paired with experienced professionals for monthly meetings over six months (March–August).
• 100 Women in Finance LaunchMe Global Mentorship Program
  
  • LaunchMe is a global mentorship program that connects early-career professionals and students with experienced leaders in finance.
  • Who can Apply: Undergraduate or postgraduate students (any discipline), Early-career professionals (0–5 years’ experience). Must be a 100WF member (free one-year membership for students).
  • Application Period: yearly in Fall.
• Association of African American Financial Advisors (Quad-A) Free Membership
  
  • Join the Quad-A as a student member for free and connect with professionals in the industry. Check out the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Program and connect with internship and career resources for Next Gen Development.
• Financial Women’s Association (FWA) Member2Member Mentorship Program
  
  • Join the association as a student member (cost of $50 a year; not limited to females) and join their monthly member connect events and the mentorship program. 
  • Who can Apply: FWA members.
  • Application Period: yearly close in October.
• Women in Financial Market Mentorship Program
  
  • The Women in Financial Markets (WIFM) Mentorship Program is designed to empower and guide the next generation of leaders in financial services. Each participant is matched with a senior professional who provides personalized mentorship.
  • Who can Apply: Free Insider membership gives you access to the mentoring program.
  • Application Period: need to monitor the timeline; the program runs from Jan to Dec.
• Government Finance Officers Association Women’s Public Finance Network Mentorship Program
  
  • GFOA's Women's Public Finance Network's (WPFN) mentorship program seeks to strengthen and build the network of finance professionals for career development.
  • The organization also provides scholarships.
  • Who can Apply: This program is available to active GFOA members involved in WPFN, representing both the public and private sectors. Join as a student member (cost of $25).
  • Application Period: yearly open in spring.
• Latinos In Finance Free Membership
  
  • Join the LIF for free and connect with other Latino Finance professionals. Participate in their events and become their LIF Ambassadors, and apply for scholarships. 

Find more Finance Mentoring at the Accounting Mentoring Section:

• The Alliance of Black Women Accountants (ABWA) Mentorship Program
• Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance (AFWA) Mentoring Program
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Mentoring Program

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Mentorship Program
  
  • Join SHRM as a student member (cost of $49 a year). Access to the mentorship programs. SHRM provides different forms of mentoring opportunities for its members. You can also join the Philly SHRM emerging leader mentoring program. The mentorship events run throughout the year. Register to participate.
• Institute Project Management Mentoring Program
  
  • The IPM Mentorship Programme is a virtual mentoring initiative designed to connect aspiring and emerging project managers with experienced mentors in the field.
  • Current membership is free, but check the membership page for details.
  • Application Period: Need to monitor the timeline for the cycles.
• Project Management Institute Delaware Valley Chapter Mentoring
  
  • Join the Project Management Institute as a student member (cost $32 a year) and connect with industry professionals and access free learning resources. Add $5 a year to join the PMI Delaware Valley Chapter Mentoring Program and gain access to their events and regional resources.
  • Application Period: ongoing application.
• Institute for Supply Chain Management Student Membership 
  
  • Join ISCM as a student member (at $55 a year), access the career center, join the ISCM Philadelphia chapter to connect with industry professionals for local meetups, volunteer to learn the profession, and apply for scholarships.
• Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) Mentoring Program
  
  • Join INFORMS as a student member (at $46 a year). INFORMS offers two five-month sessions per year for its members, beginning in October and April.  Access to professional development resources and apply for scholarships.
  • Application Period: mentee registration opens in April for the Spring session.
• Data Science Connects Mentorship Program
  
  • Join the Data Science Connects community as a student member for free. The mentorship program is included in the membership. The program is accepting ongoing applications. Join the community to connect with business data analyst professionals.
  • Application Period: ongoing application.

• American Marketing Association Collegiate Mentorship Program
  
  • Through this program, students will be matched with mentors who are experienced professionals in the Marketing and Advertising field.
  • Who can Apply: Students of all class years with an interest in Marketing are encouraged to apply.
  • Application Period: May - early September for next year.
• AMA Triangle Mentorship Program
  
  • The CONNECT & INSPIRE mentorship program pairs seasoned marketing experts and leaders with up-and-coming marketing leaders to exchange ideas, marketing expertise, and career skills.
  • Who can Apply: Collegiate-level protégés should be undergraduates in their junior or senior year with an interest in marketing, business or a related field. $29 non-refundable fee for collegiate-level protégés not in a collegiate chapter, which includes a 1-year membership to AMA Triangle.
  • Application Period: ongoing, before the end of September for the next year. Check out the details and contact mentorship@triangleama.org for questions.
• American Advertising Federation Most Promising Student
  
  • This program connects the advertising industry with the nation’s top college seniors from all backgrounds. It provides a week-long experience designed to connect them with leaders across advertising, media, and marketing.
  • Who can Apply: Undergraduate student with senior standing; Current dues-paying AAF college chapter or an unaffiliated Student member. Membership Cost estimate: $60
  • Application Period: info session in October; deadline in early November for next year.
• Advertising Educational Foundation MADE Mentorship
  
  • The Marketing and Advertising Education (MADE) programs help students jumpstart their careers through internships, mentorships, and educational resources. The mentorship program is 6 months (March—August).
  • Who can Apply: no specific requirements.
  • Application Period: may need to monitor the program opening.
• African American Marketing Association Student Membership
  
  • Join the AAMA as a student member for free. Leverage the resources for student members to access their member list and directories and connect with the career development committee to access mentorship opportunities, career workshops, resume reviews, and career advice. 
• Public Relations Society of America Mentor Connect
  
  • Mentor Connect supports opportunity and advancement for new communication professionals. Mentees will use the mentor directory to find a mentor who is able to guide them towards their professional goals. 
  • Who can Apply: as a member, Student membership ($55 a year).
  • Application Period: Ongoing application.
• Free One-on-One Marketing Mentoring
  
  • Connect with marketing experts from various backgrounds and specializations, and schedule a session to learn how to advance your marketing career.
  • Who can Apply: individuals at any stage of their career, including marketing students.
  • How to Connect: Just select the mentor and find their availability to schedule a call with them.

• The WCU Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center
  
  • The WCU Entrepreneurship Center provides access to a rich network of entrepreneurship resources and enhances the startup and growth of new ventures.
• SCORE (U.S. Small Business Administration partner)
  
  • Mentoring for small business entrepreneurs. SCORE will pair you with a local expert who can work with you to identify your area of greatest need and will coach you on that topic
• SBDC (Small Business Development Centers)
  
  • SBDCs provide problem-solving assistance to help small businesses access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, and improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales, and other areas.
• Sky’s the Limit 
  
  • This is a nonprofit platform that connects underrepresented entrepreneurs with skill-based volunteers. It provides mentorship, resources, and networks for entrepreneurial success.
• MicroMentor
  
  • Micromentor helps grow small businesses with advice from expert mentors. Micromentor connects entrepreneurs with experienced, volunteer mentors.
• Techstars Mentorship
  
  • In each three-month program, the Techstars Accelerator program helps entrepreneurs find product-market fit, get traction, and access capital and mentorship.