Tax Summer Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship at EY this past summer. I felt that the internship had a very good balance of challenging but rewarding tasks; I never felt that I was not being utilised nor did I feel that I had been over-worked and that I was out of my depth. The work that I did was at a level that pushed me hard, however I could do without being over-stressed and the results were rewarding.

I felt valued by my colleagues. This applies to all the colleagues within the hierarchy of the company. To whomever I was working with on a project they allowed me to do valuable work that they used and I could see the results of in the final outcome. This applied to every level, all the way to partner, and greatly increased my enjoyment throughout the internship.

At EY they have two schemes in place: the 'buddy' scheme and the 'mentor' scheme. Both of these schemes are to give support to the staff. The buddy scheme allocates a staff member (usually not too much older than oneself) to help with all the miscellaneous questions: how does the printer work?; where can I find xyz?; where does everyone eat lunch?. Whilst the mentor scheme allocates a senior staff member to conduct regular meetings focussing on career development. These meetings that I had greatly helped my time at EY and my buddy welcomed me to the firm and helped reduce nervousness knowing that there was a friendly face to ask any question to.

I was very busy on a daily basis, but this was my own doing. Instead of arriving, say at high school, and being given a strict timetable of what to do when and where, this internship you had to get your own work. In effect this means that I had to ask managers, senior managers, directors, etc. to assist on projects. I found this a great system as it allowed me to make the most of the internship. I could help out with projects that I was interested in, I could try a bit of every type of project. I did take on a lot of work which made me very busy, but never too busy, so the balance was down to the individual on the internship, which I think is a great system.

I was given a good amount of responsibility. I was researching technical points and producing this information to be sent to clients, which it was; I was constructing presentations to be given to the entire central belt team that I was working within (around 30/40 people); and I was assisting junior members of staff with my work going directly into their projects. I felt that I was given responsibility that did matter and that I added value to the projects that I worked within by being given real responsibility.

I have already completed my degree but the skills that I learned during this internship, such as effective time-management, research, office-dynamics, will be transferable to most walks of life that I will find myself in. The experience of working at a high level with very senior staff members of such a large firm opened my eyes to this level and pressure of work that I feel that I will be able to draw upon for confidence in similar situations.

The general atmosphere in the office was positive. The open-plan of the office allowed interactions between every level of staff so that it created a friendly environment. This has resulted in the office members being friends - they are able to socialise, make jokes, whilst maintaining an air of professionalism. This good humoured feeling within the office gave way to a very constructive atmosphere.

The first 'induction' week in London was seamlessly set up. From the accommodation to every meeting, travel times, and meal times, everything was perfectly timed and well organised. The first few days in the regional office was very well organised to set up the IT systems and learn the office. After this the buddy and mentor schemes were very well organised with apportioned time for meetings.

In terms of personal training and development, as I have mentioned, the mentor scheme was exceptional. A senior member of staff would take time to have a meeting and discuss my career, offering help, hints, and tips for the future. They also made sure that I was enjoying the time at the firm and sought to make sure that I could do everything that I wanted to there, such as types of projects etc.

Future employment prospects within this organisation for me are high - I got the job with them.

There was a very good social scene amongst my fellow interns and the colleagues that I worked with. I was the only intern in my department and my colleagues had routine socials that I was included in immediately. The other interns and I also arranged social events, especially for the interns who had never been to the city before (we organised events to show them around).

The area that I worked in is more of the expensive area of town, however I have studied in the city for four years so I did know the places to go to get discounts or cheaper food and drinks. So overall the balance was great and the cost of living in the expensive area of town is not too expensive by any means if one was to stay in that area of the city.

As I have lived in the city for four years I do know many of the good places to go for nightlife. The internship was also over August, which in Edinburgh is the Fringe Festival. So the added hype and countless comedy events that could be attended on any night was incredible.

There was only one activity that I got the opportunity to get involved with outside of work, with my colleagues, and this was running club. However I am sure that with more time spent at the firm that I would be able to find more activities to get involved in.