Summer Technology Consulting Analyst Review

I had a brilliant experience at Accenture - I was lucky to be put into a team of great people on a very interesting project. My day to day work was varied and kept me busy, and my work was tailored to my strengths - I frequently tackled problems that needed solving, which I enjoy.

I felt very valued by my colleagues and superiors - when I spoke those around me really listened and acknowledged my points of view, and always considered my solutions to problems or ideas that could be taken forward to project level. I felt valued personally too - I got on very well with everyone in the team.

I worked very closely with my line manager. We had feedback sessions at least once a week to track my activities and check that I was making good progress. As well as this, my line manager and other superiors in my team were always happy to help when I encountered difficulties.

I was busy enough that I didn't really have time to take a break for lunch (instead I ate at my desk), but not so busy that I was working excessive/ridiculous hours (the latest I left the office was 7pm-ish). Some days were busier than others simply due to the team's weekly schedule.

I was given lots of responsibility on the project - I was given certain areas of the project to own, thereby all queries from Accenture people across the programme (over 100 people) regarding these areas were directed at me. As well as this, I frequently interacted with the client directly.

I believe that the project management skills I acquired in this placement will be extremely useful when I start my final year project at university. As well as this, I think that more general skills such as time management skills and professional interaction with others could also come in handy.

On my project, the atmosphere was a little strange - this was because the client had teams from multiple consultancies working under one roof, with a seating plan that separated teams. However, Accenture's head office had a great atmosphere - lots of places to take a break from work (bean bags etc)

The internship was well organised in almost all areas - the induction week was insightful and interesting, with a mini project to give us a taste. However, the career supervisors had trouble finding roles for all the interns - this resulted in a quarter of interns without a role on a project and left to look for their own role on a team (difficult given the fact that we had just arrived and had no contacts in the company!)

Given the fact that it was only a ten week internship, I think that the company invested in us more than they were required to. We had an induction week in which we had an intensive day long Excel training course (Excel is key in this company!) and we had several sessions based around our personal branding.

I knew that if I performed well, I had the possibility of being asked to return upon completion of my degree. I was delighted to find out at the end that I had performed to this standard, and I have come out with a job offer. This was the case for many other interns too!

Upon joining on the summer internship, interns are sent off to work in different teams on different projects, usually in different locations - therefore we didn't see too much of each other throughout the internship. However, the early careers HR team did their best to organise events for the interns so we could keep in touch!

I commuted from home to London for the placement - but the cost of everything is high, which comes with the territory. Rent in London is expensive, as are drinks - however, Accenture provided drinks and food at all events that they organised (including a joining social and a leaving social).

Everyone knows that London has good nightlife! The only problem is the costs associated with going out / socialising in London - as mentioned above.

I believe that Accenture has endless opportunities in the form of sports clubs and other societies, however I can't really comment on this - I wasn't there for long enough to consistently get involved in any form of activities.