Summer Vacation Scheme Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship in PCS. As someone interested in starting a career in financial services it was a brilliant introduction into work and was an extremely valuable six week. The level of work given to me was enough that I felt properly involved in the team and was interesting and varied.

I was lucky enough to start my placement just before the summer socials and away day, giving me a chance to get to know my colleagues outside the office, and to be invited to golf lessons with two of the team. In the office I felt very comfortable in asking for help and for new work.

My buddy and champion were always on hand to answer any questions I had, either about the work I was set or career development and the managers were willing to help also. Once I had completed work it would go to an associate for preliminary checking and then to a manager - and all amendments were fully explained to me.

I was given a to do list near the beginning of my placement and was mainly left to complete that in my own time. I never felt overwhelmingly busy however there were occasions when I had to ask for more work, although people were quick to offer jobs.

I felt I was given suitable responsibility for a summer intern. I was mainly given compliance work and emails to draft to clients, which was expected. Overall I felt it was a good balance of important base work and client correspondence.

I think the placement has been invaluable in helping me decide on and get my foot in the door, so to speak, for a career in PCS. Its also given me an insight into the base knowledge necessary for a career in financial services, which coming from a Humanities degree I thought I would struggle with. Working at one of the Big Four has been a brilliant experience and will hopefully act as a big driving force in my studies and later on in life.

The office was relaxed and fun, everyone was very friendly and easy to talk to. However, work did not take a back seat to this - everyone takes pride and is very interested in their clients and jobs which adds to a good atmosphere.

The internship was very well organised as everyone within the team knew I was around and would offer me work whenever needed. You're given a buddy and a champion who are there to help and make sure you're hitting your targets. The only area I felt was lacking is the time I spent with the partner - you're meant to have a week shadowing a partner in your department however I sat in on one meeting. Whilst I understand the partner has an extremely busy schedule, I felt my internship would have been more valuable had I been able to shadow a partner in the firm.

All managers were willing to take the time to talk me through technical issues and advisory aspects of PCS and dedicated a lot of time to helping me progress. I also took part in the tax away day, with a workshop in the morning, which allowed me to get a wider understanding of how Deloitte works.

Each SVS is given a partner interview at the end of their placement. Should the opportunity arise I will definitely look forward to a career at Deloitte.

We have a 2 day introduction course at a hotel before the placement starts with all regional SVS's, and on your first day will be taken out for lunch with your buddy's and other SVS students. My department had other socials, lunches and drinks throughout my placement, which I attended alongside golf lessons with two of my colleagues. The social scene was lively and fun - I thoroughly enjoyed all socials.

My placement was in Manchester so living costs are relatively cheap. I stayed with a friend to minimise costs, and the student deals in bars make for cheap nights and dinners.

Manchester has great nightlife, made better by the fact I was living with other students.

There were lots of opportunities to get involved in activities - we have team socials and I was lucky to have similar interests to members of the team so everyone was more than willing to include me in outings!