ITRA Summer Intern Review

Had a fantastic time with the ITRA team, there was a huge amount of variety and travelling (fully expensed of course) with really genuinely lovely people. I learnt new technical skills and got a broad knowledge of ITRA. We were assigned a buddy each and mine was very friendly and willing to help.

Everybody was so friendly and supportive - which is something I really wasn’t expecting. I shadowed directors and chatted with partners and got Nando’s with senior consultants. They really let you know what’s going on and show you what their work is like. The hot desk system meant that I got to know lots of people.

We were given a counsellor a few grades above us and who we had regular chats with. Mine was very friendly and helped me out when I had problems with balancing the different engagements with the presentation we had to do. He kept everything I’d said as confidential and I felt like I could ask him anything.

It really depends, there were times when I felt rushed off my feet (usually when I had to do the presentation at the same time as my engagements) and there were a few times where I was meant to be on a client for a week but the work ended up taking less than a day. When I had free time I just sent an email around and people gave me plenty to do.

I produced lots of deliverables and though my work was reviewed multiple times I would be making the changes they asked for - so they were still owned by me. I spoke to clients alone asking for information and helped to lead meetings with clients and other auditors. The team respected my work and didn’t just redo it or give me useless tasks.

The internship taught me good time management skills and that list making is the best method for me for productivity. I feel much more confident when talking to strangers and those older than me, and don’t feel intimidated by big companies anymore. I think this will definitely help with my degree.

There were times when people weren’t in because they were at client sites or worked part time so that could be a bit quiet, but generally the office was very open and friendly. All grades sit in the same place so you get to know people from consultant to partner. We went out for drinks regularly.

Good direction and inductions from the student recruitment team, though there wasn’t much information given before hand on what actual work we would be doing. The presentation we did was a bit confusing at times but it was a good experience over all. There was a share point site with lots of info on.

I got to go on an ITRA quality event in a different city, staying over and spending two full days training. There were lots of web based learning modules to complete and lots of optional training available (though I did not have much time for them as I was busy with client work).

Am waiting to hear back about the offer but I asked to transfer to a different city. My counsellor thinks that an offer seems likely and I’m really hoping to stay with them as I think it’s a great fit and I have really enjoyed it. The career path seems great.

I didn’t see all of the interns because they were on different floors, but we had some events with all regional northern interns. I saw the other advisory interns regularly and there was another ITRA intern so we got to work together a lot. We had group chats and the advisory interns went out lots with me and our team.

I stayed at home and commutes in to work, so while accommodation was free the train was quite expensive. Food and drinks in the north are generally fairly cheap but it did not really matter because most of the time the rest of the team would pay for us or it would all be on expenses.

It was Manchester so it was great. The number of bars and restaurants there is huge and they are fantastic and varied. I wish I had been able to stay for later but I regularly had to run for the train for the way back and so I couldn’t stay.

There was not much apart from going out for drinks and food. I think that is because we were interns so we did not have much time. Grads can get involved in charity and corporate social responsibility work. They do charity hikes in the Sahara every year apparently so there’s lots.