UA Little Rock Senior Emma Dorsey Builds Accounting Skills Through Summer Internship at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Emma Dorsey, a senior accounting major at UA Little Rock, spent her summer gaining hands-on experience that will help launch her career in accounting.
The Little Rock native, who plans to graduate in May 2026, completed a competitive internship with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where she worked as an administrative cost and budget intern.
Dorsey’s role included creating rules and hierarchies within Oracle Enterprise Profitability and Cost Management software to automate key financial reports, including statutory financial reports, Sherlock reports, and customized executive reports. She also analyzed accounts and gained insight into how the company allocates costs.
“This internship has taught me how to work with a team and communicate with leaders in other departments,” Dorsey said. “It also gave me a real-world understanding of the insurance industry and how to succeed in a corporate environment, things you just can’t fully learn in a classroom.”
In addition to technical skills, the internship gave Dorsey the chance to strengthen her professional communication abilities. She was required to present her internship project to company leaders. This experience built up her confidence in public speaking.
“My favorite part of the internship was participating in luncheons with top executives, team-building exercises with other interns, and collaborating with my team,” she said. “Being able to present to leaders at Blue Cross pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.”
After graduation, Dorsey plans to sit for the CPA exam and pursue a career as a staff accountant in public, corporate, or governmental accounting. She credits both her coursework and her internship experiences for preparing her for the next step in her future career.
“The excellent education I have received from the UA Little Rock accounting program and School of Business was great preparation for my internship,” she said. “I would recommend the UA Little Rock accounting program to any students considering an accounting career.”
Dorsey has also taken advantage of UA Little Rock’s location in the political and business center of Arkansas, completing several internships during her time as a student.
Outside the classroom, Dorsey is active in Beta Alpha Psi, the national honor society for accounting students. As an officer, she has attended national and regional meetings, where she connected with accounting professionals, faculty, and students from across the country.
“My involvement in Beta Alpha Psi has given me leadership opportunities and expanded my professional network,” she said.
For Dorsey, the internship at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield was more than just a summer job. It was a chance to put her classroom knowledge into practice, develop professional skills, and prepare for life after graduation.
“UA Little Rock has given me the chance to apply what I’ve learned in real-world situations,” Dorsey said. “This internship not only prepared me for my future career but also gave me the confidence to step into the accounting field ready to contribute.”