Vacation Scheme Student Review

I enjoyed going to the tax business school in London for two days, the knowledge I gained there prepared me well for the rest of the scheme. I found that I was given a wide variety of work to do and found a lot of it very interesting. I thought people in the office made a good effort in welcoming me and built a good relationship with them over the four weeks. Although the first week was tiring (due to a lot of travel) it was definitely worth it.

When completing work for colleges I was given positive or if needed, constructive feedback, this made me feel appreciated. Colleges made an effort to find something for me to do if I wasn't particularly busy and were very welcoming when I first arrived. However, on my first day I was left waiting to meet my buddy for 15 minutes in reception as my original one was too busy so the role had to be reassigned last minute. Also my laptop was not ordered on time so it hadn't arrived by the time I started, I had to use a loan laptop for the first 4 days. Whilst my buddy was away for a few days there was a seating relocation in the office, I however hadn't been told that my department was completely moving area and was left to find out for myself when I arrived. Please note that I don't blame my buddy for any of this as they made every effort to make me feel welcome and these things were not their responsibility.

On the scheme I was assigned a buddy and performance manager, my buddy introduced me around the office and helped me to make connections with colleges as well as ensuring I always had something to do. My performance manager arranged for me to sit in on a client meeting after I had asked if it would be a possibility. I felt that I had a lot of support if needed as I could contact my buddy project manager or student recruitment.

Because my degree subject is in mathematics and I was working in the tax department I can't see any obvious information I have received that will assist with my degree. However, I have definitely developed my skills in being able to prioritise the more important tasks over others, this will assist with my final year of studies. The scheme has helped me develop my confidence in a work environment and confirmed what career I would like to go into after university.

Although there was the situation with my laptop not arriving on time and being reassigned a buddy at the last minute, I believe that the scheme was well structured. The first day consisted of an introduction about what to expect at my local office, followed by day 2 and 3 in London at the tax business school. Whilst on the scheme there was an evening social organised for all of the vacation students so that they could meet each other and a day to volunteer at a nearby charity.

I felt very welcomed on my first day. The environment in the office was hardworking but not too tense. I didn't feel intimidated by more senior staff and when I needed help I felt that I could approach anyone. Colleges would invite me to KPMG organised social events and have also organised a good bye lunch and drinks for my final day of the scheme.

KPMG arranged for us to attend their tax business school in London to provide us with a better understanding of the areas of tax that we would be working in. We were also required to complete basic health and safety training as well as an ethics and diversity course. I felt that KPMG invested a lot in my development whilst I was working with them.

I was given a very wide variety of work to complete, I was assigned to corporate tax, however I was also able to complete some work in transfer pricing and mergers and acquisitions. I also go to sit in on a meeting with a client. All of these experiences gave me a good idea of what to expect if I had a graduate trainees positions with KPMG

The vacation scheme program gave me a good insight into what it would be like to work for the company. Whilst here I was told the core values of KPMG and what they expect from their employees. I discovered that KPMG has a strong sense of community and has a lot of opportunities to volunteer at charities in the local area.

I feel that the experience I had has convinced me that I would like to go into this area when I graduate university. At the end of the scheme there is the opportunity for an interview with a partner of the firm and if successful you will be offered a graduate trainee job for when you finish university. If I get an offer I will consider it carefully but I feel that because of the experience I will be incredibly likely to accept.

Although I am yet to claim my expenses from when I went to London for the tax business school, I was able to claim expenses easily from my assessment centre day when applying for the role. The pay was a reasonable amount for the 4 weeks, however I was taxed on it so will need to claim that back.

Yes, I was invited to drinks by colleges so that I could meet new people. There were also social events for networking arranged specifically for the vacation scheme students. I was introduced to people in my department on my first day so that they were aware of who I was and that they could give me work if they had any spare.

enjoyed the opportunities to meet and network fellow vacation scheme students, a few of us went for a meal whilst staying in London. There was also a vacation scheme social organised by KPMG. There were opportunities to network and meet existing employees however few employees turned up to these events so I didn't get the full benefit of them.

Yes, I was actually invited to a game board evening which was one of the societies members of KPMG have created. I was also given a brief description on the induction day about what societies are available and that if there isn't one you want you can create your own. There is also the opportunity for KPMG members to take paid time off work to volunteer at a charity.

Yes, I would highly recommend this experience to a friend. Not only does it look great on a CV but it also gives you the opportunity to secure a graduate job from it. However, the interview process required some preparation so if you were going to apply you would have to be committed.