Technology Consulting Vacation Student Review

The experience as a whole was really enjoyable. The culture at the company, which it prides itself in, lived up to expectation. Everyone I met or worked with was accommodating and open but also interested in what I was doing. The chance to work on a client project is not one I thought I would get and really added to the experience, encouraging me to develop good relationships with colleagues within the client business, KPMG and contractors and taste the lifestyle of a consultant and the opportunities to travel that come with that.

I felt valued for the work I contributed. the work I was given was not complex but was almost always relevant and of real use to the project rather than just for my own benefit. I don't feel like I made a huge contribution to the project but I certainly helped out and believe my presence was viewed positively.

I had a Buddy, Performance Manager and People Leader. My buddy supported me with any general issues I had surrounding the internship and was extremely helpful throughout. However, I would have appreciated more communication before the internship began with regards to living arrangements and expectations. Particularly, knowing I would be on a client site 4 days a week rather than at the London office as I had planned. My performance manager as well as various members of the project team were really supportive with any tasks I had to complete or questions I had.

Day to day I had enough work to keep me busy as tasks were given to me by my manager. There were only a handful of instances where I had to work outside of office hours. As expected some of the tasks were monotonous but there was good variety and generally the application or relevance of the work was clearly evident.

I worked closely with my performance manager on tasks and although individually was not given a large amount of responsibility, I completed many important tasks. As I became more familiar with processes I was trusted to complete more of these with more independence. I don't feel like I was there long enough to take on lots more responsibility and the nature of the role I had in particular did not lend itself to longer term deliverables that I could personally own.

I have developed a wide range of skills and understanding in a variety of areas including general work/office environment and conduct. Networking particularly is a valuable skill that I have developed and will continue to build on in the future. Until now, I feel I had underestimated it's importance. The internship project specifics will be less important but I feel I have a good grounding for the future in the business world having come in to this with little awareness and knowledge. Travelling in London and to client sites made organisation and planning especially important.

The atmosphere in the office was very friendly and welcoming. Everyone I spoke to seemed willing to answer questions as well as just have a chat about their role at KPMG. I was also based on a client site for a portion of the internship in which KPMG and client employees as well as contractors worked side by side in a great environment.

After initial arrival and getting set up with our teams and offices the internship ran extremely smoothly. My only point for improvement would be the communication before the internship regarding what we would be doing and where. Although I was informed I would be at the London office, I was actually put on a client site for three or four days every week and only found this out the week before i moved down to London to stay in a rented room which may not have been necessary had I known earlier!

I felt the company invested in me by giving me the opportunity to work on a client project at the client site as well as get a taste of various work streams within that project. We were encouraged to complete a log relating to specific development targets and how we were meeting them which really helped to ensure we were doing and requesting enough work and feedback.

Extremely excited to have an offer of employment following my graduation next summer. The atmosphere really won me over along with the potential opportunities to develop quickly and meet so many new people as well as catching up again with friends and acquaintances made on the internship.

I was away from London until Thursday evenings but the events I did attend were really good fun. Some were organised by KPMG and others organised amongst interns. This was a great way to get to know people away from the work environment. On the client site working with the project team there were several social activities with colleagues staying in the same hotel including bowling and cinema trips.

London is very expensive but it also brings opportunities and quirky things that other places don't have such as a neon ping pong or crazy golf bar. Also, being in London almost guarantees there being friends from university nearby so you can normally find someone to do meet up with! Th cost you often forget is just getting the tube everywhere but that is extremely convenient.

London nightlife is great as you would expect. However as mentioned above, it is also quite pricey. Making plans ahead of time will definitely save you money. A couple of times the entry prices caused us to change plans last minute but the place is so big and busy you'll always find somewhere to go. Was also impressed by night bus service for getting home afterwards!

The opportunities were there and I took up a few social ones while I was there but the four week internship was not really long enough to get involved with other regular clubs given how busy we were most of the time with other events being put on for us. Colleagues were great and organised meals out and cinema/bowling trips while we were on the client site.