Discover EY - Women In Business Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Discover EY, Women in Business programme in London, April 2018. We have been very well looked after at Hilton London Bridge and the two days have been packed with workshops and talks; no minute has been wasted over the two days. Particular highlight is the focus on women in business, promoting equality in the company.

There was plenty of opportunity for audience participation and questions from the audience. This meant that we felt valued and our opinions were listened to. The opportunity to ask questions meant that I felt my concerns and queries about applying to the company were heard and I have left with a much better understanding of the company.

There was a “table host” who was a young employee on each table of 8 students. This meant that we had instant access to insider knowledge about the company, and she could answer any smaller more personal questions that you didn’t want to ask the whole room over the microphone.

The information has been invaluable in assisting my future application to a summer internship at EY. Hints and tips about how to succeed at assessment centre, and hopefully eventually at a final partner interview, have been particularly useful as I don’t know where I could have received this information elsewhere.

As I said above, no minute has been wasted over the two days. Extremely well structured, with more information about the company given on the first day, to enable a more workshop, interactive-style focus on the second day. This meant that we could use information learned on the first day when completing mock tasks on the second day.

Really friendly atmosphere throughout the whole experience, right from initial application and phone interview to the end of this discover EY programme. I am yet to find an EY employee that is not really enthusiastic about the company and eager to answer questions on any topic. Everyone makes you eager to join the company without being fake; everyone has been a great ambassador for EY.

Not much time for this in two days but they managed to fit some in ! We did a mock assessment centre task which will be helpful when we eventually go to assessment centre. There was also a presentation task /workshop which developed skills we’d use in our working lives.

Our “table hosts” were actual employees and they were really open and honest about what working at EY is really like. It helped that they were recent graduates on the graduate scheme as this made them really accessible and relatable, and they were great ambassadors for the company. I definitely feel eager to apply having heard the great things !

As I said above, the employees on our tables gave a good insight into what it feels like to work here. EY prides itself on being people-focused and this really came across during the programme. Particular highlight was a talk about diversity and integration, something that EY is very focused on, and this gave valuable information about options for a good work-life balance eg maternity leave etc.

Really valuable as there was a speed networking where we could go around and talk to representatives from all the service lines and really get to understand what they do day to day. This was particularly helpful as I was unsure before the programme about which aspect of then company I wanted to work in and now I can make a more informed decision.

EY have been more than generous and have paid for all my train travel to and from the event. They have also paid for great accommodation at Hilton London Bridge, more than adequate for a student and very luxurious ! I was given accommodation for the night prior to the event as well, so I did not have to make an early commute on the first day. Breakfast lunch and dinner provided - all delicious !

Yes, as mentioned above there was a speed networking event which was very useful as it gave an opportunity to meet someone from all division sectors in the firm. Also during breaks the speakers were around and available to ask any questions that were specific to their area of expertise and were always friendly.

Plenty of opportunity to network and socialise with the other students attending; this was encouraged with an initial ice breaker and time to talk over lunch and coffee breaks. They also provided a bowling social with food and drinks in the evening, which was great opportunity to network in a less formal setting.

Yes they talked about a women’s societies and other societies you could get involved in with the company, as well as charity work with nominated days off to do this. They also have socials after work to promote relationships within the team. This was all very exciting prospect for a future with EY.

Yes I definitely would recommend to anyone considering a career in financial services. I would also recommend it to someone who did not know what they wanted to do as it gives a really good insight into the world of work and the different options there are within one particular company.