Summer Intern Review

I really enjoyed my time working at EY, the work was varied and interesting and I felt challenged but supported in what I was doing. There were lots of opportunities to meet other people in the office and learn about different service lines.

I felt very much valued by my colleagues. They were happy to take time out from their work to give my guidance in what I was doing and answer any questions. I had two coaches over my time who pushed me to do my best but made sure I wasn't overburdened. They made sure that I was comfortable with my work.

Management were very good at giving support. The managers regularly checked in with how I was feeling and were very open to me asking them questions and talking to them. I had a meeting towards the end of my placement with a senior manager who didn't make me feel that he had better things to do and through his comments I could tell that he had paid attention to how I was doing over my internship. I was given the opportunity to shadow a partner, who was friendly and happy to talk to me about anything, it didn't feel like I was having to interview him or be interviewed.

I was quite busy each day, and often left the office later that interns on different projects. I was rarely in the main EY office but was out on client site but the resourcing team was really good and placed me on an audit that was very close to my house. I always had work to do and more would be given if I wanted it. I wasn't too busy and the expectation was there that I would speak up if I had been given too much to do!

I was given a lot of responsibility given I had no background in audit. Within a few days I was visiting the client by myself and discussing points for explanation with them. I was given tasks to do that would be mine alone to complete and to liaise with the client to make sure I had all the information I needed. Everything I did was reviewed in the same way that a graduate's work would be reviewed.

This internship has been invaluable in teaching me not just about the world of auditing and what it is like to work in the sector but has also shown me the kind of skills I will need to work at a big four company. I have been stretched and learned a lot over the past six weeks that will come in useful when I return to university in September. For me, gaining confidence in talking to clients was the biggest skill I took away, I am far more confident in doing this now and that will bode well in whatever I do in the future.

The office was warm and friendly. Whilst professional, everyone was relaxed and welcoming. It was clear that while people worked hard to get the job done, it wasn't without fun and there was a good team atmosphere. People were always happy to help each other out which made the atmosphere feel open.

The internship was very well set up. We were given our clients in the first week ready to start on client site the next week. There was a slight mix up with some of the admin which meant we had some issues sorting all of the technology side of the internship but they made sure everyone was set up for when they went to client site. It was clear who our points of contact were and there were check in meetings that happened at regular intervals.

We were given a lot of support in learning about the basics of accounting from our colleagues and there were web based learning modules that we completed. My buddy sent me a document outlining the steps of an audit so I had an idea about the basics and one of my coaches took me through the basics of accounting so that I wasn't working without knowing why I was doing things.

The number of opportunities upon employment are huge, and many people spoke to me about all the things that people can do. There are chances to move location and service lines and do things that you wouldn't get the chance to do otherwise. You get qualifications and exposure to lots of businesses.

I didn't see much of the other interns because of being away from the office but when we were all together there was a good social scene. We were invited to all of the office events and were able to participate in them the same as a full time employee. We had some good evening events together and we went and got lunch together when in the office. The office arranged some meetings with partners that we all went to so we could catch up then too. We all got on well.

I lived at home so this was fairly reasonable but the rent and travel in the area is fairly expensive. If you travel to client site you can expense the travel so that side isn't too bad. Most of the interns lived at home or borrowed a room from a friend that had a uni house nearby. There are student halls etc too, so there are plenty of places to stay. Socialising isn't cheap, but it is slightly cheaper than if you were in London.

The night life in the area is fairy lacking but Reading does have some clubs that people go to. I didn't go out during my internship but there are plenty of bars open late in the evening. Outside of Reading there isn't much nightlife until you get to Guildford but some people head into London instead.

At EY there are loads of opportunities to get involved with outside of work. There is a charitable foundation you can do things for and there are loads of networks covering all sorts that you can join in with. Staff are encouraged to get involved in these. In Reading there is a good football team that posts its match results to the office and lots of people are involved in.