Business Academy Review

Work experience involved shadowing members of the EY Tax Department. I was brought to meetings conducted by EY Partners with C-suite executives of American multi national corporation in the Tax Industry. This gave me an insight into the workings of the work culture at EY as well as the specific role played by the Tax department.

I developed better communication skills as I had to deliver a presentation to an EY Partner on future technologies that could be adopted by the company, including 5G, artificial intelligence and machine learning. I also gained awareness of the type of work conducted by the Big 4, namely advisory and consulting work.

I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience as I gained new experiences and picked up new contacts. My work experience was enjoyable due to the fact that my buddy was very patient and outgoing. The buddy was also proactive in arranging meetings for me to attend, ensuring that my time was used productively.

My work experience was well organised. Everyone in the team received a laptop and notebook to keep for the week, which allowed us to assimilate easily into the work environment of EY. Scheduled activities were conducted promptly, which allowed me to plan my day effectively to maximize my work experience.

I learnt a lot about the company culture, although I realised that the culture can vary from department to department and from office to office. I gained insight into the recruitment process (and how competitive it is), but this gave me greater confidence in my ability to pass an interview.

I envisioned my future career path as being involved in Finance prior to the work experience. This work experience gave me further insight into the industry, thanks to my mentor who guided me through the week. This gave me affirmation that a career in the Finance sector is suitable for me.

I was paid for this work experience on an hourly basis. The hourly rate was £6.80, which was paid for five days of work. The scheduled hours were 9 am to 5 pm. This made me feel like an employee at EY, as well as giving me a sense of responsibility.

There were plenty of opportunities for networking and meeting other employees in a range of settings, from the cafeteria to the boardroom. I kept in contact with a number of employees through Linkedin following the work experience, which should prove valuable in opening up new connections when I start work.

Yes

I would recommend EY to a friend of mine due to the company's friendly and open culture. I was made to feel welcome throughout the duration of my work experience, which made me feel valued and left a lasting positive impression on me. Hence I recommend this company's work experience and internship opportunities.

The advice I would give to potential applicants is to be yourself. This is due to the fact that EY employees are diverse in nature and hail from a whole host of backgrounds. There is no pressure to conform or 'fit in' and hence potential applicants should not feel pressured in that sense.