Summer Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the internship programme at PwC. They were very generous and everyone I met was friendly and down to earth. Even though I was only there for a short time, I gained a valuable insight into the professional services industry and have walked away with a conditional job offer at the end- so it was probably the highlight of my summer.

The more senior members of the firm didn't talk to us like we were new and didn't know anything , they valued our insights into many current issues and always made us feel like a part of the team. During the programme I had a chance to work on a presentation about leadership that would be shown to different departments. The workers who had been there for a long time made me feel really involved, like I was actually working there and an important member of the group.

We got assigned to 'buddies' during our stay, someone who has been there for a short time and mine made me feel really at ease with any questions I had - no question was too small. We also had a people manager and he was great- he was always checking up on us to help with our presentations and group work and to see how we were getting on.

Most of the internship was gaining an insight into PwC, so we were given talks from all the different departments most days and participated in activities, mainly exercises that were related to the things they worked on. There was a good balance of working on our final presentations or group projects as well as just chatting to people who work there.

In groups we had to come up with ideas for a strategy day for the Deals department- this involved finding a suitable space for 240 people, a caterer, and team building activities. This was left entirely up to us - but it was good fun as well. Other times we didn't have as much responsibility, but I suppose there's only so much they can ask Interns to do.

As well as talks we had soft skill sessions, such as how to use programmes like Excel, PowerPoint etc. We had advice on how to do well in presentations- beneficial for our individual ones we had to prepare for the last day. The skills I gained will be valuable to me in my final year at uni, as I have to use many of these computer programmes and will have to give presentations too.

There was a pleasant atmosphere - it was somewhere I could imagine myself in and enjoy coming to work every day. Everyone was so friendly, even senior members were so easy to talk to and this put my mind at ease. There's what's known as 'hot-dealing', you book your desk each day and this gives a flexible approach to where you sit.

It was very well organised. We went away to London for 3 days for an induction at the beginning- This meant getting a flight and transfers and being put up in luxury accommodation. This was definitely a highlight! We got to meet other interns from all over the UK as well. The whole programme was carried out really well as we had a set timetable and weren't ever left wondering what we needed to be doing or where.

PwC sells its people- so it wants to invest in them. I really found by talking to workers that by working there you really do get invested in, they put a lot into training and development and this was evident even in the short time we were there. All the skills sessions really build up your profile.

I got a job offer in the Deals section, particularly Business Recovery Services. As long as I get a 2:1 in my final year, I'll be ready to start next Autumn. I'm so chuffed with this because this was probably my preferred department out of all that we looked at. I'll be working towards gaining my chartered accountancy qualification as well, which I'm excited about.

We were lucky enough to attend the Forensics department annual BBQ where we mingled with workers outside the workplace and got free food and drink! It was a great chance to speak to people outside the workplace and I also made really great friends with the people who also did the internship.

I travelled from home everyday so there was only the cost of the train for me. Being Belfast the cost of living is a lot less than say London, or many other places in the UK.

I know the nightlife is good because I grew up going out there- and also at the weekends me and the other interns went out for drinks in the city , within walking distance of the office.

There were lots of social events on throughout the year. There's what's known as 'First Friday' where workers go for drinks at the Hilton hotel across the road- a great opportunity to socialise and unwind at the weekend.