From Classroom to Client: Emma Fahey ’26 Finds Her Future at PwC 

Emma Fahey ’26, a double major in accounting and business analytics, found clarity and confidence during her summer internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). That clarity led to a full-time offer with the firm, which she recently accepted.  

As a technology media and telecommunications (TMT) audit advance intern in PwC’s New York City office, Fahey stepped into the fast-paced world of professional services. “From the start, I was treated like a full-time team member. They trusted me with real responsibilities and encouraged every question I had,” she says.  

Fahey worked on the audit of a technology client’s quarterly financial report. She completed risk assessments, performed control testing and verified footnote accuracy. “I was expected to raise concerns, use professional skepticism and communicate like a professional,” she says. “I never felt like just an intern.”  

Fahey first learned about the internship through Emily Shaughnessy, associate director of career advising and data management. Determined to secure a role at a Big 4 accounting firm, Fahey applied early and interviewed with all of them. “Each interview felt like a genuine conversation,” she says. “By the end of October, I had offers from each one but decided that PwC was the best fit.”  

Throughout the eight-week internship, Fahey focused on staying organized and detail-oriented. “You’re helping with real financial documents,” she says. “So, I made to-do lists, kept careful records and updated my team constantly.”  

She also demonstrated her Excel and data management skills, drawing directly from Whitman coursework. “I even introduced RStudio techniques from my data management class to my audit team. That was a cool moment,” she says.  

Whitman’s emphasis on teamwork, combined with its alumni network and programming, helped her step into the role with confidence. “The IMPRESS program, alumni panels and internship presentations gave me a clear picture of what to expect,” she says. “Beta Alpha Psi, the business fraternity, also helped me meet PwC professionals before the summer even began.”  

One of the most meaningful moments came during PwC’s “Snapshot” review process at the end of her internship, where interns receive personalized feedback. “It wasn’t just about the work I did. It was about the value I brought to the team,” she says. “That recognition was incredibly rewarding.” 

Fahey credits the Whitman Career Center for playing a key role in her journey. “I was in there weekly as a student and worked there several times a week during the semester,” she says. “They were my support system throughout the entire process.”  

Now, as both an employee and a peer resource, she takes pride in helping fellow students navigate their own internship searches. “I’m passionate about sharing my experience and guiding students, whether they stop by the Career Center or reach out to me on their own,” she says.  

The experience confirmed Fahey’s long-term goals. “This internship solidified that I want to build a career in auditing,” she says. “I’m excited to return to PwC full-time after graduation and plan to pursue my CPA within the next year.”  

Reflecting on her time at PwC, Fahey calls the internship enriching and transformative. “It gave me real-world experience, built on the many things I had learned in my Whitman classes, boosted my confidence and showed me that this is what I want to do,” she says.  

 By Bo BenYehuda