Intern Review

The work I was given to do was really varied and I was never left alone to struggle through. When I arrived on the first day I was given a personal project to work on for the duration of my internship. Although I was placed in corporate tax a lot of effort was made to arrange days in different departments so I got as much out of my 4 weeks as possible.

From the first day I really felt like the firm was looking after me and really wanted me here - for every piece of work I did I was always thanked and feedback provided.

I was never left alone to struggle through, there were always people nearby who were more than willing to help me with even the most basic problem. I sat with the rest of the department so my buddy was only a few desks away!

I had work to get through for the vast majority of them time. Occasionally I had a few things that needed done quite soon but they were very good at giving me one thing at a time.

I was given enough responsibility to feel as though I was actually helping but not too much that I felt out of my depth. For every single thing that I did there was someone who I could ask and would then check over what I had done before it went further or to a client.

Although my internship is not directly related to my degree, it has developed my business awareness and I feel like I have a much better understanding of what a professional services firm actually does. I feel so much more confident with working in an office environment and I know that I am not expected to know how to do everything from day 1. I am now so excited to finish university and begin working rather than dreading it like I was a few months ago. Although I was only there for 4 weeks they were keen to teach me as much as they possibly could in that time!

The atmosphere was really friendly and everyone sat in small groups with the rest of their department. When they said business casual they really meant it - I was prepared to wear a full suit everyday but it was far more relaxed than that. People were always bringing in home baking and people really did get along well - it was an enjoyable place to be and everyone seemed to be interested and enthusiastic about what they do.

It was very very well organised. My buddy really went out of her way to make it all happen - I had something scheduled most days and I never was left to sit with nothing to do

Although I was only there for 4 weeks I had access to nearly all of the computer programmes and databases which people were more than happy to show me how to use. They act/assume that you will be joining them when you finish uni and really give everyone everything they need to pass the final interview.

I would really love to join KPMG next year - it's a really exciting place to work where there is never a dull moment. They pay and put people though their CA qualification as well as their tax advisor qualification if they are joining the tax department.

Yes! In my 4 weeks I was invited to 4 social events as well as going out for lunch quite often with colleagues. There was always another social event coming up!

The cost of living in Edinburgh is pretty much the same as it is throughout the rest of the UK (outside of London) - going out to bar and restaurants very expensive though compared to what people earn. However, it is still affordable if you don't go out all the time and there are cheaper places.

Plenty of clubs and bars!

Yes! As well as lots of clubs within work there is so much to do in Edinburgh for a city of its size.