Summer Intern - Direct Tax Review

Although initially I was hesistant about undertaking an internship due to previous (awful) work experience placements where they only skills I developed was making a fabulous cup of tea, Ernst & Young provided me with both an amazing time in and out of the office. I was in client meeting on my first day and within a week I was in a room with Financial Directors of major companies. It was incredible from start to finish and I can't wait to go back already!

I felt very valued by the team I was working with, so much so that I am in regular contact with a couple of people and we meet up on a weekly basis for social events. I played netball in an Ernst & Young team outside the office which really enhanced my relationships with several team members. Even with the more senior members of the team, I feel valued as they were always appreciative of the work I did.

I was given amazing support from my counsellor as well as the team. Due to the open plan layout of the office, if I ever needed any help it was very easy to obtain and people could see if it looked like I was struggling.

At times there was not a lot of work, but there was always administrative tasks to do and I was allocated a couple of projects at the start of my placement to do if I had any spare time. They were perfect and if there was ever a lapse in chargeable work I was able to continue with those.

I was given a lot more responsibility than I thought I would be! From the first day I was doing important client work and really getting involved in several projects. I felt as though the work I was doing was valuable and helpful as it would have been the work that a graduate would have done had they had the spare time to do so. As a group of interns, we were able to book out meeting rooms to organise a presentation we had been set and it was lovely to be able to schedule that into your own time without feeling as though you needed the permission of more senior members of the team.

Not only was it an enjoyable experience but I was learning something new every day. If it was technical knowledge about the area of work I was going into or about how to approach client situations, they were valuable skills that I will be able to use in any future job.

It was a very open and approachable office as it was all open plan regardless of your status in the team. It was also 'hot-desking', so one week I would be sitting next to the partner and the next I would be with graduates.

From arriving in Manchester for our induction to the final event it felt as though Ernst & Young had thoroughly planned everything. I always knew what I needed to do from the recruitment process right through to the end of my internship. The organisation of the intern ship was flawless.

I could really tell that the team valued my work and treated me as a graduate who was part of the team, consequently a lot of time was put into training me and explaining the task I needed to do and why I needed to do it.

I have accepted a graduate job which is dependent on passing my degree with a 2:1. I am so excited to be able to go back and I enjoy the way in which my relationship with the team is ongoing, even through term time.

All of the interns in the office got along extremely well. We went out for social nights, ate lunch together and we were also assigned a presentation to give to the partners in the office. All of which contributed to us all keeping in touch and looking forward to working with each other in the future!

It was a lot, however I already had accommodation and knew it would be expensive.

The nightlife was good, but I am familiar with the area so knew that already!

I was part of the Ernst and Young netball team as well as going for meals and drinks with many of the employees.