Scholarship intern Review

My role is to support project teams in the UK and Ireland performance improvement division of the advisory service line. An example of work would be that I sit in on client meetings, and interviews, make notes, write up the notes, do some analysis of the output on excel, then make it look good in a PowerPoint to send to the team. Another example would be in a team meeting, I would be on a white board listing action points (a to do list for the team) then converting any notes the team makes in the meeting into slides. Other work includes research, and making excel models ( though this is rarer). In my free time I would be on the EY online learning site.

I have learnt to format power points and other documents to a high standard. I have learnt how to work in a team, in a corporate environment. I have learnt to work with a wide range of people. I have gained industry specific knowledge through client work and online learning. I have learnt a lot about how EY operates as a business, and it's structure.

I very much enjoy the programme. It is very generous, especially with the number and quality if socials. Everyone I have met seem extremely friendly. The culture is surprisingly relaxed, but at the same time there is an emphasis that the work gets done. The work can at times be a bit mundane, as an intern I feel like I get a lot of the grunt work such as formatting documents.

EY have made a large investment in me. So to that extent, I do feel highly valued. I have received very positive feedback on my work. However, I do feel that I could be pushed a bit more, as I have not had a deep impact on the client projects I have been on. I have not been in client site yet due to the clients of my projects being abroad.

We have an induction, there are online learning materials available, we are assigned a mentor and a buddy ( an informal contact). HR had a catch up with us half way through the placements too ensure we were coping alright. There were regular socials/ networking events.

There was not a great deal of formal training, just online learning which was optional.

We have good contact with HR, there is a clear support network, in involving mentors, buddies etc.

In the first 2 placements, accommodation was provided, so our costs were almost nothing, we were staying within walking distance of the office and we were even provided breakfast in the first placement. This means the overall earnings were probably the highest I have seen amongst employers at this level. However, going into the next placement, we will need to find our own accommodation, which reduces the overall earning potential of the placement quite significantly. This most likely brings the overall earnings after costs, into line with most other employers, and most probably less than financial institutions.

There are frequent socials which makes the placement so enjoyable. There are EY sports teams, volunteering groups, even a compulsory social responsibility day where we helped restore a local park. EY is such a large firm that it will have a sports team, or charity to cater for the vast majority of people. I think one of the key selling points is the work / life balance. One can still have fun, and time to do things after work which is not the case at a lot of other (especially financial) employers.

Yes

Overall, EY is a very supportive, generous company, and it a very enjoyable place to work.

Show you know the EY values, network, emphasis a bank of experiences that support the skills you claim to have. Be friendly at the interviews, ensure there is a leader for the group exercises and don't be afraid to exert influence in a team exercise in an appropriate way- do not undermine others. I think the most important thing is to be friendly, but at the same time show that you can perform when required.