Internship Review at KPMG

The Role

Role Description

I worked as an 'advisor' for KPMG in the Public Sector orientated department (IGH, Infrastructure, government and health). My role could be most easily described as a consultant who focussed upon IT projects for the public sector.

My daily duties varied depending upon which project I was working on - although getting coffees for people was never one of my jobs! The working hours varied slightly depending on the urgency of the work at hand. On average, I would arrive in the office by 9 and leave at 6 - which is not bad considering friends at investment banks were working atleast 09:00 - 22:00 as a standard day.

Whilst working for KPMG I had a number of different projects which occupied my time. To begin with I worked with a Director on a project to improve the marketing material for the department. This was interesting because it gave me a solid grounding of the services that KPMG offered as well as enabling me to understand the processes required to actually obtain contracts and work.

My main project was working as part of 5 person team to deliver an operational review for the FSA in the space of 4 weeks. This project was extremely interesting and, perhaps more importantly, very useful for my personal development. I was given real freedom to complete my tasks which were vital for the progress of the project. I thought beforehand that as an intern I would be given tasks which were unimportant; however, I was given work to do that the rest of the team were dependent upon so I was definitely was able to contribute to the project. The nature of the work varied but my main task was to analyse the partners which the FSA had contracted to provide services for them. The rest of my team were meeting these partners in week 2 of the project so I had to insure that I delivered the preliminary analysis within the week. For the rest of my time on the project I continued analysing the delivery partners in more detail as more figures became available. Additionally, it was my responsibility to co-ordinate the team who were based in different offices around the country so that they were able to interview all the partners as well as staying in contact with the rest of the team.

My final project was organising and delivering a training programme for a management team from Libya. I was working with a Manager to produce sufficient material for a series of presentations for a weeks worth of training. This 2 week task was rewarding because I was given an opportunity to work outside of the department I applied to to give me an idea of other opporunities/business areas within KPMG. Additionally, it was interesting to work with people from Libya and begin to realise how business practice differs greatly between the UK and Libya. This opportunity to work abroad or with KPMG staff from around the world greatly attracted me to KPMG which is able to offer these opportunities due to its size and coverage.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The work was challenging and interesting which therefore made it enjoyable. If I had been given menial tasks to do for 2 months it would have been extremely boring. However, at KPMG I had to opporunity to be given work which my team valued and appreciated.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

My colleagues at KPMG were all very supportive and appreciative of the work I did for them. After all, the work I did meant that they themselves had less to do so they were always thanking me for my efforts.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The staff at KPMG were great. Any problems I had I was able to speak to management easily without feeling stupid or like a burden. Furthermore, the staff in general were really friendly and people working in my department whom I had never met would introduce themselves to me or offer me help if they could see I was struggling.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

On the whole I had a good balance of work. Occasionally I would have to work later than I was contracted to but this is part of the job. I was rarely bored because I always had work to do. Even when work on the project had died down for a day it was easy to find more by asking people around the office who were always appreciative of extra help.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was given a reasonable amount of responsibility because I was given tasks to do which were essential for the completion of the projects. This was great because it made me feel like a valued member of the team and enabled me to develop vital business acumen and skills.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Obviously, being a Historian the work I did did not assist with my degree studies. However, the work and training I received have given me a massive insight in to the business world and taught me important skills which will be invaluable when applying for graduate placements and jobs in later life.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The atmosphere was really friendly. It was nice to know that I was able to go and chat to anyone I wished or ask a colleague if I was having difficulties. The offices in KPMG are open plan with no set desks to encourage unity. This was interesting considering how one day I ended up sitting next to a partner and was offered a day of shadowing after introducing myself as an intern.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

It was well set up. We had 2 days of training prior to working in London and were given our own personal contacts to ensure we were never too out of our depth.

All interns are given a 'buddy' (a recently qualified graduate), a performance manager and a department manager. This was useful because it gave me a number of points of call if I had problems and for those I felt stupid/embarrassed about asking about we had a relatively junior buddy to help us with.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

KPMG invested a considerable amount in my personal development.

I was given considerable training both before and during the placement. Also, being involved on a project with a team gave me a significant insight in to certain aspects of consultancy which will greatly benefit me should I chose to follow this career path.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• National Travel
• International Travel
• Company Parties/Events
• Healthcare/Dental

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Interview for graduate placement in 2 weeks.

But KPMG have enough space that they could employ virtually all students who get an internship so I am relatively confident that if I am good enough I can find graduate employment.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Most of the placement students kept in touch throughout the duration of the placement and we would arrange nights out in London. Also, after work drinks with the rest of the KPMG team were always fun and playing rugby for KPMG helped me network with people from different departments.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Living and socialising in London was quite expensive but I was paid enough by KPMG to easily cover the costs.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Very good and varied nightlife in London.
Decent public transport and night buses to get home after cheaply too.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Lots of opportunities to get involved with KPMG sports teams and socities.
Also, through colleagues I worked with, I was asked to play for a local rugby team.

Review 141/141 for KPMG

Previous