Intern in Audit Review

I take part in the work of a team that audits an important client. I have been asked to work on admin pieces and deliverables in about equal proportions. The team members are extremely supportive, coaching me through new tasks and allowing me plenty of time to submit work. Their review of my work is also very constructive and helps me develop skills quickly. The team is generally very friendly and genuinely concerned with my experience as an intern.

I have indeed tremendously developed my software skills: increased proficiency in Microsoft Excel, learnt to use PDF editors, firm-specific software and tools. I have improved my networking and professional communication skills, by having a chance to network with more senior staff and to talk to the client (to a certain extent). I have gained deepened knowledge of audit practices and standards, legislation, financial regulation, corporate governance. I have improved my discipline and I feel I can be more accountable and responsible for my work.

I believe I was given virtually the same level of responsibility as a first-year graduate, but my work was constantly reviewed by both graduates and seniors. However, this did not mean that they would amend it, but instead ask me to modify the parts that I had made mistakes on initially. Overall, I felt accountable for the work I did, even though it was accountability to other team members, and not directly to the client.

I received incredibly serious support and guidance. My team members were not reluctant to explain to me what kind of career I could embark on with the firm further down the line, nor were they afraid to share their experience in honesty, so that I could understand what life is like as an employee of the firm. Altogether, I was given the guidance I needed both to be a good intern and to succeed in transitioning to an entry-level professional.

The culture is shockingly friendly and open. People find it easy to be themselves in the firm, to open about their personal lives and individual aspirations. The team is very socially-engaging even during working hours, and lunch time is always a good time for conversation, most of which might not even relate to work. People value learning and personal development in the company, and you are encouraged to widen your skillset. Generally speaking, the atmosphere isn't corporate and competitive, which is impressive for such a big company.

I enjoyed that my internship offered me the opportunity to experience the working life - something very different from the student experience. Routine wears us down as much as the lack thereof. I was given the chance to work on a serious engagement straight away, I got treated just as any other employee - instead of simply being regarded as a burden to the team or "an intern to keep busy". I enjoyed that my commitment to contributing to the team was mirrored by the team in their effort to give me the chance to do so.

Yes

Get a good grasp of what the role is about, so that you can talk specifically about what you can do. Stay informed of the corporate world - read the FT, for example. Be ready to discuss the latest trends in the professional world, but not necessarily with a direct reference to EY. Practice a little bit for the assessments. Get a good night's sleep before the assessment center. Stay calm and try to only view an internship as a small step in a much larger design. Don't overestimate the importance of seeming like the perfect candidate - try to be relatable, not impressive.