TAMPA 鈥� For Yukino Ushiyama, an accounting major in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy at the 黑料爆料 Muma College of Business, career success began with a willingness to network.
Over the past year, she鈥檚 landed two internships at both Deloitte and KPMG through strategic networking and preparation.
She discovered Deloitte through the Boston Career Forum, a specialized event for Japanese students studying in the U.S., with her application leading to three rounds of virtual interviews.
鈥淎fter the last interview, the partner I鈥檇 be working with told me they鈥檇 like to offer me an internship,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was such a surreal moment.鈥�
As her first professional interview, she wanted to make a strong impression. Preparation was key to her success.
A Bellini Center advisor took the time to help me think through my options and find confidence in my decision. That personal support made a difference.
Yukino Ushiyama
Yukino focused on strengthening her interview skillset by practicing the STAR method, a behavioral interview technique which helps to craft succinct and informative answers by focusing on the Situation, Task, Action, and Result, which she learned through her business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi.
Understanding this framework helped her to develop responses that emphasized her strengths and helped her showcase her personal experiences. To practice, she enlisted the help of a friend via FaceTime to run through practice questions, offer her feedback and help her refine her delivery in a mock-virtual format.
鈥淭hat practice really built my confidence,鈥� she said.
Her hard work paid off. During her eight-week internship at Deloitte during summer 2025, she gained hands-on experience with real client projects and worked closely with engagement teams who supported her growth at every turn.
鈥淒eloitte gave me hands-on projects from day one,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t boosted my confidence and made me feel valued.鈥�
After successfully completing the program, she leaned on USF鈥檚 Bellini Center for Talent Development for one-on-one career guidance when she faced multiple offers and tough choices.
鈥淎 Bellini Center advisor took the time to help me think through my options and find confidence in my decision,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat personal support made a difference.鈥�
Yukino did so well that she already has a job lined up, which will allow her to finish both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She has accepted a full-time offer with Deloitte for fall 2027, while securing another prestigious opportunity, a summer 2026 internship with KPMG in a specialized accounting role supporting Japanese clients.
Her advice to students is simple.
鈥淕et involved and make connections wherever you go,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 in student organizations, classes, or even with professors, you never know what opportunities those relationships will lead.鈥�