Horizons Programme - Technology Consulting Analyst Review

I had a varied experience on my placement. I had two projects which I really enjoyed and gave me a great exposure into what it's like to be an Analyst at Accenture. I got to experience working out-of-town (and the free hotel an expenses that come with it), working at client sites and working from home. On the other hand I did have a bad experience where I wasn't given any work, yet asked to come in from 8.30 - 6 and had a very unforgiving manager. Overall it was a great learning experience with bits that I absolutely hated and with bits that I loved!

On the two projects where I actually had a defined role and work to be getting on with I felt highly valued. At one project I brought in to develop something for a client and I essentially led the creation of a deliverable which made me felt massively valued. On the other hand, at the project where I had a bad experience I felt very undervalued and was even told by my manager that I wouldn't be given that much work/responsibility because I wouldn't be a permanent member of the team.

Again varied by managers but overall was given good support and guidance.

At my first project I was literally bored the whole day from 8.30 to 6 with little work. On my other projects I had a decent workload which allowed me to get a good experience into the work of an analyst without feeling overwhelmed.

Varied by project, on one project none. On another great deal and on my current project a decent amount.

My skills were developed all round. Even where I had a bad experience I learnt a lot in terms of how to deal with that. I think that the skills and experienced I gained have put me in good stead for future internships and jobs.

Varied by office location. But as a gap year intern at the age of 18 it was often difficult to relate to or find common ground with colleagues which made the atmosphere a little dull at times.

Overall it was well organised and there was constant contact available between those that ran the internship.

It is evident that a great deal was invested into us interns, the first week is entirely training and case study activities. Also there are a wealth of training resources available to all Accenture employees including us interns.

For the Horizons programme it is possible to a apply for a development scheme - however that wasn't attractive to me as it requires you to commit 3 years after university to Accenture and I didn't feel comfortable making that commitment. However, in terms of internships whilst at university, prospects are quite appealing.

Most of the other interns were from outside London, growing up in London all my life and from a different background to most other interns, there was a bit of a cultural gap but overall the social scene was decent.

I live in London anyways, as I have all my life so I can't really comment on this except for if you're from outside London you may find things a bit more expensive. If you do find yourself working out of town hotel, food and drinks can be expensed so that reduces living costs quite a bit.

It's London - there's something for all kinds of tastes and probably the best nightlife in the UK.

There were. There are clubs and societies at Accenture similar to how you would find at university. Also every couple of months a social is organised for the interns which is nice.