Scholar/Intern Review

A scholarship scheme with EY and University of Warwick. Receive bursaries towards living expenses whilst at university providing I achieve a 2:1 or higher each academic year. 4 week placement in summer between years 1 and 2 of university which I have completed and from July 2017 will be starting a 12 month placement before returning to final year at Warwick. Day-to-day on my 4 week placement as an Intern, I was involved in audit tasks such as revenue checking, reviewing financial statements and annual reports, and completing audit checkslists. I also had to redraft letters and occasionally speak to clients. I spent most of my time at the EY MLP office in which I was placed within small teams of two or three people who gave me tasks and to whom I reported back. For the rest of the time I was placed at a client site in which I was in a team of five or six, each of whom would give me tasks which we would then often discuss as a team if need be.

During my placement the two greatest developments for me were my networking and IT skills. I was asked to complete a lot of tasks on excel that although I was familiar with the software, I had not done before. I therefore learnt a lot of the auditing tools that can be used on the programme and became more efficient at completing tasks via excel. Networking was also an important area of development for me as in an office environment in which I did not know anybody it was necessary to be able to speak to new people both professionally and socially. I became more competent at communicating as I had to ask for help, speak to clients, and convey concerns with things I found.

I enjoyed my four week placement for the most part, especially while in larger teams on a client site as there was more communication and my work was more important. Sometimes in the office however, I found myself with little to do which on a four-week placement was less than desirable. I am looking forward greatly to my 12 month placement starting in July.

The bursaries and paid internships provide a monetary indication of my value which is above what I would expect for such a scheme. Whilst working for others as an intern I received good feedback on what I was doing and therefore felt valued by other individuals. However I believe at my stage in employment for EY it would be difficult to say that I was particularly valuable to the firm.

The program is very well structured and I am always made aware of any changes to this structure. Inductions occur at almost every opportunity to not leave you in the dark with regards to what is expected of you. On the 4 week internship my review from my mentor was problematic as I had not worked in any particular team long enough to receive comprehensive feedback but next year I believe this will be better organised and more relevant.

Much support. There is always someone to talk to when help is required. I am never left feeling incompetent when asking questions and people are always willing to help.

Much support. There is always someone to talk to when help is required. I am never left feeling incompetent when asking questions and people are always willing to help. (was unsure regarding the difference between parts a and b)

My salary more than meets my costs especially at my current level of qualifications. Living costs are low as a student and the wage is sufficient to help me with more than just basic costs.

There are many company events but as I have not worked here for long I have not been exposed to many of these.

Yes

It is a company in which you feel valued and there is a good structure of work coupled with a good pay packet. The company is ethical and the attitudes in the office are largely positive.

Be prepared and take time over the application process but by the time you get to the interview stage with the assessment day you should be confident as you have done well to get to this point. From here they will not filter down too much as it is almost a check of your credentials rather than a test. There is nothing I can think of that I would like to have been told.