Vacation Scheme Student Review

I found my internship difficult because it was really boring. I wasn't ever given very much to do so had to spend a lot of time doing online training or research into the company and my sector. It wasn't what I imagined it would be like.

I felt valued when given work to do, but that wasn't very often.

My buddy who was on the graduate programme was lovely, as were all the other graduates. They also seemed to not have much work to do so had sympathy for the fact I didn't have any either!

Not busy at all... Work came along every 2-3 days on average. I did ask around for work- but I didn't want to do that too often as I felt like I was disturbing people and making them go out of their way to give me work to do. There was never a time when I felt like I was being stretched.

When I had tasks, they were sometimes quite important to projects, for example making interview notes and proof-reading things. However, I wasn't given that much work, so can't really say I was given much responsibility overall. I get some responsibility on a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) day. I undertook two days of CSR work while I was there and both times were really enjoyable. The experience was one part of my internship that I feel I did get satisfaction from.

I had to be quite resilient to get through the difficulties of my internship, so that was useful. I didn't gain any actual skills in accountancy or any holistic skills that I didn't have before.

My office was quiet a lot of the time as lots of people were on holiday or worked in other offices or from home. When everyone was there it was ok, but it wasn't like there was loads of banter.

I wasn't really organised at all..When I first arrived most of the department weren't aware that I would be there for 2 months so asked me if I was just there for a day or a week, which was a little disheartening. Also 2 weeks before the end of my internship, I was wiped off all the KPMG systems because of a HR admin error in which the end date they had for me on their systems was different to the one in my contract. This caused IT problems which I spent about 2 1/2 days fixing myself. Two of the managers, who were the only other people in the office that day, were really supportive when they found out the problems I was having, and even rang HR to further discuss the situation. After that HR phoned me and apologised for the whole situation, which was good of them. However, in that phone call I was told that I would be called again at the end of my internship with news of whether I had received a partner interview or not. I didn't hear anything at the end of my internship. After a month of waiting I sent an emailing asking if their was any news and never got a reply. 2 months after the end of my internship, I rang and was then told that I had progressed to the next stage of the graduate scheme application process. I'm fairly shocked that they have treated me like this, especially considering the fact that they're actually still interested in employing me and considering the awful experience I had with HR on my internship.

The induction to the company was really fun, well organised and I really enjoyed it.

After the issues I have had with HR, there is no way I'm working there.

The other people on the programme in the office were really nice. We went out a few times to the pub after work and when the opportunity arose sat together at lunch. However it was a bit tricky to organise because often people couldn't come because they were working away at a client. I should also mention that I was commuting to the area, so maybe things would have been better if I was living there.

Things are cheaper up North.

Didn't really experience it, so don't really feel I can comment.

I took part in two CSR activities while I was there and they were really good fun.