Smart Futures Review

Working for EY was by far the best way to spend my summer; not only was I able to work alongside like-minded passionate individuals, but I was able to network and meet important employees at EY who really did open doors for me.

As one of the largest accounting firms on the planet, you'd assume that employees were seen as disposable individuals, but that's not the case at all! As soon as you walk through those large revolving doors, and are greeted by the friendly doorman you automatically get a sense of belonging, which is why it is so easy to see why people choose to stay at EY.

From the everyday activities, to the group work, EY provides a whole range of support. Students are given laptops during the work placement in order to help with work efficiency, EY "buddies" are made in order to help you settle in and have someone from the company to give you insight and wisdom, and finally, mentors. Mentors help you throughout Year 13, providing moral and intellectual support, as well as a third-party perspective you really can't get anywhere else.

As I intend to study Geography at University, I feel it is necessary to be able to have such an opportunity to see what working in a professional services firm is really like. Geographers must be versatile and have a diverse range of skills, and that was necessary of me whiles I was at EY. I had to always make sure I was one step ahead of the work and made sure myself and my team understood the task at hand. Using those skill to work independently and alongside my co-workers really will help me at University and beyond.

From day one, you get a real sense that EY had structured and planned the Smart Futures programme to ensure both employees and students were able to make the most of the experience. All activities were learning points, whereby myself and my peers were able to engage in interesting and diverse activities which catered for all.

The atmosphere at times was simply amazing; myself and my peers would really enjoy the whole team orientated activities, as well as the individual tests where we would have to show what we were really made of. It was really competitive at times, but that just added to the enjoyment everybody was having.

They provided activities to show you where you need to improve and really made you step outside f your comfort zone. Initially, I wasn't very confident when speaking in front of a group of people; however, as the days went by and I was constantly involved in endless presentations, you almost came natural to me and I felt like I really did change as an individual because of that.

We were exposed to what seemed like a diluted version of an everyday job for most employees at EY; however, that insight that we were so graciously given proved to be more helpful than most expected. I never really understood the pressures of the company, but as you walk down the hallways you get a real sense of how hard you must work to be an employee at EY.

EY clearly outlined from the first day that they are a very family-orientated company. The sense of belonging really inspires employees to work at their very best and it rubs off on people such as myself. I felt accepted at EY, as if my hard work had paid of and now I was where I needed to be. The company really does make the best efforts to make every employee feel at home, which is a great feeling to have whiles working.

I've really reconsidered my future plans and see working at an accountancy firms as a viable option. The whole misconception that EY is just an accountancy firm really shadows how diverse the roles available are.

Fortunately, over the three week programme I was paid.

I had the opportunity to meet and speak to different employees from EY from all over the hierarchy. I was given the opportunity to speak with partners at the firm, as well as having a client meal with a partner at EY and one of their clients, whom was able to hand out great advice and tips. The activities outside of EY also meant that I was bale to meet people at places such as RBS, where I was working for a week, as part of the Smart Futures programme.

As mentioned previously, EY presented a wide range of opportunities to interact and network with members of the firm, an outside the firm too.

I think that because the work placement was so short, that it wouldn't have been feasible to have the Smart Futures students involved in anything after work.

By far the best work placement I have been on, I'd recommend it to anyone who really does want to make the most out of rare opportunities such as this one. It ticks all the boxes and provides you with a priceless work experience.