Leadership Academy Student Review

A very enjoyable 4 days. The EY team challenged us with long hard days, but also gave us time to be social and relax in the evenings. The food was delicious and we got to use the gym and the pool. Everyone was friendly and nice and we all learnt a lot. It was a very worthwhile 4 days.

I felt extremely valued during my time at the Leadership Academy, advice from experts was always available to me and we were treated like business professionals. The challenges were exciting and new and the EY team brought in friendly experts in body language and communication to help us. EY seemed very keen to provide us with the best opportunities available and we now have fast track privileges.

The whole program was very well structured, with the group being separated into 4 teams of 7, each with its own facilitator. There was a good mixture of guidance and opportunity to showcase what we had learnt as a team. The facilitators helped us when required but for the most part left us to work it out on our own. They gave us constructive feedback which was useful.

During the program, I learnt more about being a leader than I had in my whole life prior. I also developed my problem solving, team work and communication skills through the various challenges and team activities. The skills I learnt will be vital for any future team based university work or when I go into the workplace.

The structure of the program was fantastic. We started by getting to know each other and making hypotheses on what makes a good leader. We then conducted team challenges, taking it in turn to fill certain roles. We also conducted a group task that was filmed and so could reflect on our performance. The program culminated in a individual presentation on the final day's group work.

The general atmosphere was work hard play hard. Taking in new ideas from Mary and Karen (who were brilliant) was serious time but we then got to go outside and conduct team challenges which were great fun. I think all the students were quite surprised by how fun the program was and by how good the accommodation facilities were.

EY invested hugely into the program. Mary and Karen who were experts in personal development ran the program and were fantastic. Jane, a body language expert, was also brought in to give one on one lessons in body language and speech. It seemed no expense was spared and we even got free hoodies and water bottles!

At the partner's dinner we got a chance to speak to a current EY partner who told her story of rising through EY and what it was like to work at each stage. Recently graduated employees of EY were also at the partner's dinner where we got the chance to network with them. We could also talk to the facilitators (current EY employees) at any time to find out about their jobs at EY.

Very helpful. Karen and Mary, who work with EY a lot and ran the Leadership Academy, said they like EY because they stick to their modern values. EY seems a forward thinking, modern company that is striving for equality and keeping to its set company values. At the partner's dinner, the female partner gave a talk on how EY is working towards gender equality. Their staff seemed very happy to work there.

The program did make me think on what I wanted to do as I got the chance to speak with current employees within the different service lines. Having done the program,EY does appeal to me as everyone seemed so friendly and forward thinking. However, being a leadership academy, this wasn't really the aim of the program and so didn't occur too much.

Reimbursement was very generous, some people who flew from Spain got their flights paid for, and the accommodation they provided was free and fantastic. We got access to a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner and got to use the pool and the gym which were free and modern. We were treated as if we were partners in the firm.

At any time we could speak to current employees. These cam in the form of the facilitators who helped with each team and so we could talk with them during the day or in the evening in a more social setting (with a drink). A dinner was even arranged where recently graduated employees were invited to network with us students and a partner even attended who we could talk to.

The social events were great fun and a good chance to get to know each other better. These happened every evening and activities such as Shirades, and a team quiz were put on. Great food and beverages were provided for free and the networkers who were invited to attend the partner dinner all seemed really keen to talk to us.

Many employees play football, hockey or Netball for EY and because it is a global firm there are matches and tournaments against each division often on a regional basis and yearly on a global basis. Our facilitator, volunteered with children every Thursday evening and so it seems there are many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work.

The whole 4 days were a fantastic experience. I made some great friends, had fun and learnt a lot about myself. Everyone on the course was friendly and happy to help and it portrayed EY in a very good light. I will definitely take the skills I have learnt forward to my university work and into my first full time job. Would absolutely recommend.