Assurance Summer Intern Review

I had a fantastic time across the whole internship. The company treated me extremely well throughout the six weeks and it was always clear what jobs/clients I would be on. I was also not treated like an intern, but instead given a variety of tasks that a first year graduate would be expected to complete. This meant that you were actually helping the team meets it's targets every day, which was extremely rewarding.

Very much so, across all 3 of the jobs I worked on during my six weeks. I had no prior knowledge or experience in Assurance coming from a Geography Degree. However, this didn't stop my teams giving me a variety of tasks. Additionally, every colleague I worked with, not matter their position in the firm, would always take time to help me out where and whenever I needed it. Furthermore, it was never just all work and each of the three teams had a great dynamic to be apart of.

Everyone within the firm, whether a team member on my job, or my mentor, or just someone who was sitting nearby, were always happy to take time to help me with whatever I was struggling with. Never once did I feel like I was isolated, the support was always there. Additionally, they always took the time to make sure they explained why I was doing certain things so I could gain a better understanding, rather than just telling me the bare minimum so I could complete the tasks at hand.

It always ranged depending on what we needed to get done each day, and where we were in terms of the client deadline. Some days were more intense than others, but I always had something to do and my colleagues made sure of that, which was good. I was never expected to work when I left the office as an intern, but I did always offer.

A lot. I was given a wide range of tasks across the six weeks, so got a very good insight into the processes involved in assurance at a basic level. On the job allocations of each client I worked on I would be assigned specific jobs, which I would work through from beginning to end (i.e. putting together the Cash Workbook and so on). This was extremely rewarding and beneficial to me personally.

I wouldn't say that the skills I learnt would aid me in my Degree, due to studying Geography. However, it was great to experience the demands of Assurance, but also the general requirements needed to work in a team in the workplace; something I had not experienced before. The training I received specifically to Assurance has certainly increase my understanding of what Assurance is about and the tasks involved and will undoubtedly help me hit the ground running when I start a graduate scheme in Assurance in the future.

Fantastic. EY prides itself on its people and having worked there for six weeks I can certainly see why. Everyone in the office was friendly and was interested in me and what I had done, rather than it just being me quizzing them. The office itself is hot-desk, so you could sit anywhere, which meant it was easy to meet a whole range of people from different levels within Assurance. Everyone in the office is clearly working hard and is busy, but they always have time to help and support you, while also to have a laugh which makes it an enjoyable environment to be in. From week 1 I was invited by senior members of staff to go for drinks after work and meet other members of the EY team, which shows how inclusive the whole office is.

It was organised to a high level. I had my mentor, but also an intern coordinator within the office who I could always go to if I had any concerns or queries. The central student recruitment team were good at replying to emails and sent regular updates. I also got a personal call from one of the student recruitment team half-way through my internship to check everything was ok and explain the process for the second half of the internship. The offer process was also well explained from the very start so you knew what you needed to work towards.

Massively. The firm got me to do some Online Learning in the first week. After that it was clear the every EY colleague was there to support me whenever I needed, whether it be my first year buddy, or a Partner. They all made time to ensure I understood what I was doing and importantly why I was doing that. This meant I got as much as possible out of the internship.

Very. They set out from day one at the internship induction the process offer and how you will be assessed over the six weeks. This is then what you can work towards over the internship. The chances you get an offer, are high as long as you work hard and well with your team throughout the whole six weeks. I am definitely excited to be returning in September 2016 to start the graduate scheme with EY.

Yes. We met up for intern drinks 3 times during the internship, while I also went to other social occasions with other members of staff, which I was invited to. The team's you worked with on clients were also sociable. I was on an away job for two weeks so every evening I would relax with team and we would go out for dinner/drinks.

Reading was relatively expensive but still much cheaper than London. The cost wouldn't prevent you from socialising and the Office is right next to the train station so is very centrally located.

Not great, nice bars but club choice is poor.

Yes there were, however, I already had outside of work commitments which admittedly meant I could not make full use of these opportunities.