Smart Futures Intern Review

The smart futures programme is a two week programme which gives you a real insight into the world of work. The first week you work alongside other smart futures interns which involves building up essential skills such as communication skills presentation skills and most importantly, team leading skills. You are placed in new groups every day for that week and given different activities each day. My personal favourite was the dragons den activity where we pitched an idea to real business clients. The second week you are paired with an employee who works at EY and you kind of shadow what they do throughout the week. For example you might sit in on client meetings, draft emails etc.

The most important skills I developed were presentation skills, communication skills and team leading skills. These are all skills that are vital to have if you want to be successful in the working world and are generally helpful in real life too. Before starting the programme I did not feel very confident with public speaking, but the programme really pushed me and helped me be more confident.

I very much enjoyed my work experience at EY. I initially had only applied because it was a paid internship, but I genuinely enjoyed my experience! Being this young it is difficult to get work experience and a first hand experience in a professional business environment. It allowed me to get a head start in the working world, allowing me to network with professionals of many backgrounds.

The programme was highly organised. From the first induction we were clearly told what the programme would entail. Our daily activities were also very engaging and help was always provided if needed. The programme was clearly structured, with one week being team leading activities and the second week being actual business experience. Support was provided throughout the entire programme.

I was in awe of the diverse and inclusive environment that EY had with people of many different backgrounds working together. Everyone I came across was very friendly, welcoming and always happy to help. The office was a highly comfortable and productive environment. I could definitely see myself working there.

Ahead of working at EY I was very unsure of my career path. Getting first hand insight of being in an office environment and what a day to day task involves helped me understand that I would enjoy a career similar to this. I was given a lot of guidance throughout my experience especially by other employees who were open to sharing how they decided their career path.

I was paid for my experience. Travel costs were covered by the pay and we received meals for the first week.

There were many opportunities to meet new individuals. The employee I was shadowing took it upon herself to ensure I met individuals from many different sectors of the company. For example, one day we took a trip to EY Seren in Shoreditch which was a completely different environment to the London Bridge and Canary Warf offices in a very refreshing way.

Yes

This was a very invaluable experience which not a lot of young people are given. A lot of us do not receive real experience especially this early on. I think it provides a very useful insight. Furthermore, as EY is part of the top 4, whenever I tell people I had an internship with them, people are always very impressed, which creates a good first impression.

EY are looking for applicant who want to grow and develop their skills and are open to being in new environments so ensure that you emphasise this in your application. You are also given a telephone interview which is a very good opportunity to ask questions about the work experience if you have any.