EY Leadership Academy Spring Intern Review

The EY Leadership Academy, the 4-day program I participated in, was at the same time very challenging, and very enjoyable. From start to finish, we were all able to see how much we had improved in terms of teamwork, leadership skills, and valuing our team partners. We learnt how to deal with different leadership styles, and how to adapt our own to others. Overall, a great week.

The participants were truly the ones the program was designed for. We were the central focus, and if we had any issue or comment we were encouraged to share it. In addition, EY has put a lot of effort in the organisation of this week, not only to promote the company, but also, and primarily, to make us improve and evolve.

In addition of the program organisers, Mary and Karen, each 7-person group had its own facilitator: an EY professional who was there to assist through every step and challenge of the program. In addition to provide support and guidance, the EY personnel was there to answer any question we might have about the company, and was more than welcoming and approachable.

Learning about management and leadership theories is one thing. Actually getting the opportunity to put these into practice is another. The EY Leadership Academy gives students challenging task to accomplish in a group, and teaches crucial skills such has being assertive while being able to listen, adapting its leadership to the task required, providing feedback, and many more.

Every day was very well planned and the schedule was respected. It is an intensive program, and respecting the structure was important for us to be able to go through all that was planned. It was led brilliantly, and tailored so that nobody gets bored at any time.

Contrarily to other programs, students here are NOT is competition, and we therefore all quickly became friends. The atmosphere during the program was truly enjoyable; students as well as EY professionals got along really quickly, and this was reflected through the evening events which were truly enjoyable.

EY invests a lot in this program in order to find the leaders of tomorrow. From renting many hotel rooms to designing this whole 4-day program, with the real professionals that are the program designers (Mary & Karen), EY places a lot of effort into this program, and therefore into students.

First, this is not the main objective of the program. It is rather designed for students to develop their leadership skills and to capitalise on their strengths. However, EY professionals were approachable for any question we might have, and a fancy dinner was organised to which an EY partner attended. She was welcoming and open to questions as well, therefore providing us the opportunity to get to know more about the life at EY.

This program is the true evidence of the claim that "EY invests in people". EY truly believes in its people, and is rather people driven than goal-oriented, although it is ultimately a balance.

This is not the main objective of the program at all. We could chat with EY employees, but this is not a typical spring week program to give us exposure to the company. Little help with this regard, but not much.

No expense is to be incurred apart from travel expenses, which EY fully reimburses.

As said, the fancy dinner provided the opportunity to get to talk to an EY partner. Moreover, we could discuss any topic we wanted with EY professionals throughout the program.

The main social event was the fancy dinner. Not to repeat myself, I got the chance to be seated next to the EY Partner, and to ask many of my questions. However, not everybody got this chance, which I find a little unfair. Maybe try and have another partner attending?

Mainly, that EY is open to change and listens to employees. When people want to change office, i.e try another city, EY is more than open to trying and making this possible for everybody to be satisfied, and challenged.

This was an amazing week, and although challenging, I enjoyed it a lot. From making friends and new connections, I had the opportunity to understand what my intrinsic strengths are, how to use them, and how not to overuse them.