How a JWU Accounting Major Turned a Career Fair into a Dream Job

When John Billinis ’26, a corporate accounting and financial analysis major, walked into a Career Fair last spring, he wasn’t expecting to find his career. He was just hoping to avoid another forgettable summer job. A few months later, he was filing city tax returns for a global automotive company — and discovering he actually liked tax work.

Finding a Home at JWU Charlotte

Billinis transferred to JWU Charlotte as a sophomore in search of a deeper connection to his peers and campus community — and quickly found it. Immersing himself in student life, Billinis took advantage of nearly every opportunity with the hopes of landing that perfect internship and eventually a job at the end of it all.

“My summer experience showed me how valuable relationships and hands-on learning really are.”

From the start, Billinis could tell that JWU was the kind of place where getting involved, gaining hands-on experience and building relationships weren’t just catchphrases — they were opportunities that could truly shape his future. Billinis joined the tennis team, became an accounting and finance tutor and participated in Sharkfest, the Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium and the Connect Conference, honing his leadership, public speaking and organizational skills.

Turning a Career Fair into a First Internship

When it was time for Billinis to find a summer job, he set his sights on an experience that would help launch his career: “I knew I could get a job for the summer and make some money, but I thought a typical summer job would probably get me nowhere. I wanted to secure something that would give me hands-on experience, something that all my professors really encouraged.”

He continues: “Like many of my peers, I attended the 2025 Spring Expo Career & Internship Fair, not thinking much of it, but trying to be optimistic. And wouldn’t you know, those public speaking tips and networking experiences paid off.”

Billinis made several connections that day, some with JWU alumni and eventually, landed a paid internship in data analytics with Columbus McKinnon, a global manufacturing company in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The career fair wasn’t a one-off. It’s part of JWU’s Experiential Education & Career Services, which pairs every student — first-years and transfers alike — with a career advisor who helps them refine résumés, practice interviews and build a career readiness plan. Students also tap into a job portal, where employers actively recruit JWU talent for internships, and a deep alumni network that, as Billinis learned, is often just one career fair conversation away.

“My experience that summer showed me how valuable relationships and hands-on learning really are.”

“I remember combing through LinkedIn and applying to companies that interested me, not necessarily with job openings that fit my skill set. I was open to try something unexpected and out of my comfort zone.”

Saying Yes to an Unexpected Co-Op in Tax

That first internship became a springboard for Billinis and reinforced the value of stepping outside his comfort zone, motivating him to pursue a longer-term internship his senior year in an area where he had no experience beyond the classroom. Still unsure of what career he should pursue, Billinis continued networking, connecting with JWU alumni, applying for positions that he wasn’t too sure about, but always thinking positively that eventually someone would at least talk with him and point him towards an opportunity.

“I remember combing through LinkedIn and applying to companies that interested me, not necessarily with job openings that fit my skill set. I was open to try something different, unexpected and out of my comfort zone,” he said.

That willingness to step outside his comfort zone was something JWU encouraged from the beginning.

Billinis applied for an internship with Continental AG, a global automotive technology company. “I didn’t realize until I applied that they had internships in several areas including tax, finance, accounting, sales, customs and tariffs.”

Billinis accepted a yearlong paid internship or co-op in tax, an area he never expected to enjoy. “Those who know me would probably say I fit the profile of someone in auditing — extroverted, workaholic, funny, maybe a little annoying. So, I surprised myself when I realized I really liked tax work.”

What a Year in Corporate Tax Actually Looks Like

Looking back, Billinis realizes that what he liked most about his internship was that he was made an integral part of the team. Billinis wasn’t given just busy work but instead gained invaluable hands-on experience by participating in strategy sessions and research projects. Everything from searching up tax exemptions for different states to contacting state departments related to tax solvency to filing city returns, Billinis was fully immersed in the work at Continental. “I worked with great people all over the world.”

One new technology experience included using Microsoft Copilot to help him better understand the tax environment and what the progression of future payments would be when filing city returns for major cities. He was then asked to share what he learned with his team, a valuable learning experience on many levels.

Billinis was also surprised by the strong culture and appreciated the opportunity to work with colleagues from several different countries including Germany, Brazil and the Philippines.

“Overall, I had no idea how much I would get out of a tax internship,” he said. “I originally thought tax was boring, and it’s just not. The people I worked with really embraced me as a team member, and I can’t say enough positive things about my experience.”

Skills That Transfer to Any Career

After learning about tax concepts in class and then applying them in a professional setting, Billinis says he finally understands the mechanics behind accounting cycles, revenue and expenses.

Billinis learned invaluable technical skills, the importance of attention to detail and gained a deeper understanding of how numbers tell a story. Billinis also shared how critical it is in the workplace to adapt quickly and continue learning, skills he believes are transferable to any career.

Advice for Students Considering an Internship:

• Apply for internships outside your comfort zone — you might be surprised by what you enjoy.
• Use LinkedIn to connect with JWU alumni, and take advantage of Career Services & Experiential Education and the career fairs.
• Stay open to opportunities you didn’t plan for!
• Treat your internship as a chance to test-drive a career field before you commit.

From Class of 2026 Commencement Speaker to Full-Time Tax Accountant

Billinis graduated in May and represented the Class of 2026 as the student commencement speaker. This summer, he will return to Columbus McKinnon in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a tax accountant — a role he never expected to pursue, but one he is incredibly proud of.

Billinis’s path isn’t an outlier. JWU’s most recent undergraduate career outcomes rate is 92.3%, meaning the vast majority of graduates are employed, continuing their education or in military or volunteer service within six months of graduating. In the most recent reporting year, 1,134 students completed an internship and 100% of graduates participated in some form of experiential education.

His journey is proof that staying involved, building connections and remaining open to new opportunities can truly pay off. What started as a search for experience ultimately helped Billinis discover not only a career path, but confidence in his ability to adapt, connect and succeed in unfamiliar environments.

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