Audit Internship - Summer Vacation Scheme Review

I highly enjoyed working as an intern with EY - throughout the entire internship I felt highly supported, the internship was well organised and provided me with varied, interesting and challenging experiences.

I felt highly valued by my colleagues. Many of those whom I worked with had also completed the internship and there was a strong sense of empathy and consideration of my skill level and how I could best contribute. Offers of help and support and opportunities to challenge myself were incredibly forthcoming.

The support level by my assigned councillor was exemplary, with regular meetings and goal setting to ensure that I got as much out of the internship as possible and that I could contribute as well as possible to the company. The support from supervisors in the different teams I was working varied (understandably often with the level of workload they were dealing with) but were consistently attentive and I never felt that I couldn't approach them.

How busy I was depended on which team I was working with and how much work needed to be completed within that team. Some days I was very busy, others less so. I would say that out of a six week internship I could only recall one or two days where I was notably quite quiet. I appreciated that there were always online training modules to further skills such as Excel or opportunities to get involved with other areas of the company such as the EY foundation when there was a little less work to do.

I would say that I was given the level of responsibility appropriate to my skill level and role within the team. My supervisors were always keen to challenge me and provide me with opportunities for leadership, but were mindful of what was appropriate for an intern.

The professional skills I developed at EY are skills for life that I am confident that I could transfer to any organisation. The training in the specific service line I was working in have been highly beneficial in bolstering my confidence for working in that area in the future and have enriched my understanding of my university studies.

The atmosphere was very friendly and welcoming. In particular the open, spacious layout of the office provided a great balance of having some peace and privacy for work whilst also being very open to communication. The office was a busy environment, but the atmosphere never felt frantic or stressful. My colleagues were very friendly and attentive both to myself and to each other.

The organisation of the internship was stellar. The application process is quite extensive, but also very well structured and organised so that you are always aware of your progress. The actual internship began with a full induction day for all interns UK-wise in London, which could have provided logistical challenges, but the event ran very smoothly. Assignment of work was also highly organised so that you knew your schedule of work and what teams you would be working with weeks in advance. Goal setting, meetings with councillors and feedback provision were all administered very smoothly.

I felt that the firm invested highly in my personal development. And excellent channel for this was an initial councillor meeting whereby I had the opportunity to express my personal goals that I wanted to achieve throughout the internship and what I wanted to learn and experience. Those whom I worked with were aware of these goals and with some initiative from myself coupled with a genuine desire for my development from my colleagues I was able to achieve them all.

The opportunities for future employment are clearly stated on the internship programme. There is easy to see career progression with a clear way of branching from the internship to the graduate scheme and beyond. The perks available are also appealing.

My fellow interns and I bonded really well over the internship despite our not necessarily often crossing paths during the work day. We organised nights out, frequently messaged each other to see how we were enjoying the experience and remain good friends. I have heard from interns in other offices that the same applies!

My internship was in the Glasgow office, and since I already live there my cost of living was not especially altered. For work nights out or events, various venues were suggested that varied in price so that we were able to vote about where to go and could exercise some control about what was spent. In general the cost of living (food, rent etc.) in Glasgow is generally relatively inexpensive to some of the other EY offices, in particular the excellent transport links in Glasgow including the buses and subway system mean that it is easy to travel to and from work with little expense.

Glasgow nightlife is consistently varied and vibrant, offering a plethora of sophisticated bars, cosy pubs, numerous night clubs catering to all music preferences from cheesy pop to deep house, comedy clubs, restaurants of every variety, theatres etc. There is something going on every night and the internship didn't burden me with such overtime that I wasn't able to fully engage with it and enjoy it.

Work life balance is definitely valued at EY, and opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work both associated with EY (offering sports teams, interest groups, volunteer opportunities etc.) and aside from the company altogether were plentiful. My internship took place over the summer months which is notably quieter than the busy season after Christmas where there is more overtime, but the culture of the company is sensitive to the need for time for activities and relaxation out with work.