KPMG First Year Insight Programme Review

I really enjoyed KPMG's Insight Programme, I flew home early from a university trip in New York in order to attend this event. It was well worth the extra effort to come home because I learnt a lot more about KPMG, the areas of KPMG which offer insight programmes and internships along with networking with KPMG employees to find out what it is like to worth within the company. Along with this, I enjoyed the KPMG programme because we were pushed intellectually and it was a programme which was stimulating.

I felt really valued as the staff members got to know everyone by name by the end of the first day. I was made to feel valued, and staff members constantly asked if I was enjoying the day, or if there was anything else they could do to enhance my experience. Everyone was treated equally and with the upmost respect, and this helped me to relax and enjoy the two day event as I felt welcome and valued.

I received a lot of guidance and support from the very first moment when staff members explained the criteria for the two days meaning it removed doubt as to the events happening, and I received a lot of support. My requests were dealt with promptly and to a high standard, and I left the insight programme with a lot more knowledge about KPMG than I previously knew

I feel the skills I developed will help me on my degree programme because I had to present to three KPMG employees on a subject I was introduced to the previous day. This meant I had to come out of my comfort zone and pitch to employees whereas I haven't really had the opportunity to do this before. It will certainly help in my degree as next term I have many PowerPoints to present and doing the First Year Insight Programme has helped me become more confident. Finally, I have also learnt how to make good presentations with a powerful impact, which has given me some ideas to implement into my own presentations.

I fell the insight programme was well structured as it was over two days meaning everything wasn't rushed into a single day and it meant that all areas of the business and business challenge could be covered in a clear manner without being rushed. I liked how the business challenge was covered over two days meaning we could be introduced to the initial project and could have time to think about ideas that following evening to bring back to the group the following day. Networking in the evening of the first day is what I really enjoyed because I could get to know staff members and have a clear idea in my mind as to whether the KPMG programme was suitable for me.

I think it was a good atmosphere on the insight programme, from the staff members all the way through to people attending the insight programme itself. This is because it was a non-serious atmosphere which was good, as it meant I could relax and didn't feel tense at any point during the event. The atmosphere was very welcoming and it allowed me to feel I could approach all members of staff and I also got along well with a lot of people on the insight programme too.

KPMG invested a lot of time and effort into this event, and it helped me personally in terms of helping me to define my personal brand as well as improve my presentation skills. KPMG had clearly put a lot of effort into this event because they provided a lot of resources and a lot of employees took time out of their working day to come and speak to us.

It helped significantly. This is because we had talks from all areas of KPMG allowing us all further insight into the role you would be working in at KPMG. Along with this, the networking event at the end of the evening gave me chance to speak to employees personally, and gave me a chance to ask them specific questions about their role and receive honest answers in return rather than trying to paint a perfect picture of the role. I was also exposed to some of the downsides to each job, such as long hours, stressful times and many clients at once, however this was good because it means I am aware of this and it helps me to make a better decision as to how suitable KPMG is to me.

It helped me understand the culture a lot, I could see how suitable KPMG is to me, and their core values were constantly mentioned, meaning I fully understood what KPMG were expecting from employees working here. Along with this KPMG values were installed in us all throughout the process meaning we all fully understood the company culture and values by the end of the assessment.

It was very helpful because we had talks from all areas of KPMG and it meant that I could make a rational decision as to the position most suitable for me within KPMG and in terms of career path too. It was good to listen to all areas of KPMG available to me because it meant I could keep an open mind if I wished to change business sectors.

My costs to attend were too much to claim for this event, meaning I did not bother claiming back any expenses because I had no receipts available to produce proof.

Yes. On the first day we got to meet and network with employees in KPMG from all areas such as partners, to directors to first year post graduate students. I found this event really good as I could find out more about their role within the business and also make connections on LinkedIn with a lot of employees. It was really helpful because employees gave their honest opinion of what it was like to work at KPMG and it reaffirmed my decision and interest to work for KPMG.

I found the event really good because it gave me a chance to meet employees and speak to them personally - a chance which not many people get. I also stayed until the end of the networking event because it was a fantastic opportunity to talk to current employees and to get answers to my questions.

Yes there is a coding academy for employees to attend during lunch time, and a KPMG sailing club and KPMG boating club too which employees are able to get involved in outside of work.

Yes.