Leading Women Intern Review

The insight was an invaluable opportunity and structured very well. We had a program introductory session on the Monday which was brilliant at explaining more about the program and expectations. Throughout the week I got to meet and shadow a variety of different people, demonstrating the diversity within EY. As well as gaining insight into the service line, company and the role women play within EY, I was able to do some project work (including a presentation) with teams which was a great way to get some hands on experience which most insight programs don't provide!

I have felt incredibly valued during my time here. Everyone I met was enthusiastic about sharing their career journey and EY story. I also felt very valued as I was given tasks to complete which helped on projects even though I would only be working in that team for a day! It was nice to be given some responsibility and to feel trusted. I really feel that the leading women team have put a lot of time and effort into this scheme and even though this is only the first year the program has been executed perfectly! I was also very lucky that my buddy set me up with such a fun and varied week, giving me more insight that I could have dreamed!

I was assigned to a buddy who I was told about prior to the program. It was great to have an initial point of contact and a consistent contact throughout the week! I was also given the mobile numbers of everyone I would be with and a detailed timetable. Regarding tasks I worked on, I felt a little out of my depth however by asking questions and for feedback I was able to navigate my way through the tasks.

Even though it was for a week I feel the program really helped me to further develop my confidence in meeting new people and getting stuck in within a team (you didn't really have chance to ease your way in!), the introductory session on the first day was very valuable regarding EY as a company, the leading women program and recruitment information. Furthermore, we had a career counselling call and a call with a member of the EY leading women network which allowed me to better understand EY's approach towards diversity. This time has helped me to better define what I want in a future career and what area I want to work in.

Very well structured, I knew exactly where to be, at what time and what I was doing throughout the program. On the first day I was given a detailed itinerary by my buddy who has organised a really solid week for me! The program also included sessions regarding my future career with EY and women's role within the company.

The office is big so the atmosphere was daunting at first, however I am a confident person and just put myself out there and asked people about their careers and current projects they were working on. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel very welcomed. I really enjoyed my time at EY and everyone I met.

I feel that for a week program the company invested a lot. I met over 7 different women throughout the program who all spent time talking to me about careers, the industry and EY. The program also had resources such as a reflections book which was very useful! At the end of the week I had a de-brief with my buddy in addition to a career counselling session. I really felt valued by EY.

I was able to speak to a range of people at various levels within the service line. This really helped me to see how working at EY fits in with different lifestyles. In particular people spoke to me regarding the different networks the company has and other side of desk activities. I was also able to meet a current first year graduate which was invaluable in understanding life on the grad scheme.

Being able to work in a range of teams and on a range of projects really helped me to not only see but experience the company culture at EY. I was given responsibility and copious opportunities to sit in on meetings and calls not only with working teams, but with clients and international teams.

I was based in 1 service line, so didn't get to experience or learn about others as much. However there were some projects which incorporate people from different teams and offices, giving me an opportunity to gain some insight into that area. The week helped me pin point what I liked and what I didn't like, which I could then speak about during my career counselling appointment at the end of the week.

I was paid £12 an hour for the weeks experience. There weren't really any expenses other than travel to client which I wasn't reimbursed for (it was only 3 tube stops and I wouldn't expect to be).

I was introduced to many teams and took the initiative to ask them questions and understand their role and career path. Everyone was mostly in my team, however I was able to network with our client when working at their site. I also had a women's network call with a lady based in a different service line in the Manchester office which was useful.

There weren't any networking events per say, but I worked with different people every day which provided a lot of opportunities. On the last day I went out for lunch with my buddy and one of the ladies I had shadowed, however as it was a Friday not many people were in the office. Perhaps it would have been nice to have been invited to a women's network event if there had been one on, or if there had been a larger networking opportunity with other members of the program and the different service lines.

Yes! Speaking to so many people I found out a lot about the different side of desk activities and networks that people get involved in at EY. I also saw people who were leaving to go to sports games (one guy plays cricket for EY) and notices about discounted exhibition entry etc around the office.

Absolutely! I think this program is a great demonstration of the role women play and the potential for a career as a women at EY. It was perfect as it was short but provided an excellent insight and some hands on experience to better understand the industry, service line and company.