Iona University’s Post

📣Wrapping Up an Inspiring First Week of Our Virtual Internship Program! Our first week of the internship has been an incredible journey filled with learning, inspiration, and growth. We’ve had the privilege of engaging with executives from leading companies such as Shell, Capgemini, EY, JP Morgan, and many more. Here are some key takeaways: 1. Embrace Diversity and Stay Curious: Listening to diverse personal stories and asking insightful questions are crucial for growth. Our interns explored why professionals choose specific career paths and delved into various industry roles. 2. The Power of Soft Skills and Professionalism: Communication, teamwork, and adaptability complement hard work and technical skills. Maintaining professionalism is vital for building strong relationships and advancing in our careers. 3. Explore Multiple Paths and the Role of Finance: Trying different things and embracing various career routes, from degrees to apprenticeships, is important. Recognizing finance as a bedrock of every industry highlights its universal relevance. 4. Commit to Hard Work and Continuous Learning: Consistent effort unlocks opportunities. Embrace learning continuously because, as they say, once you stop learning, you start dying. 5. Value of Mentorship and Skills: Having mentors guide your journey is crucial. Remember, no skill is lost; doing whatever you do well might be your unique selling point. A heartfelt thank you to all the executives and mentors who shared their experiences and insights. We are excited to continue our journey, embrace new challenges, and explore the diverse opportunities in our industry. Here’s to another week of learning and growth! 🚀 #Internship #ElizabethRobertsAccounts #ERA #GrowthMindset #HardWork #Networking #CareerDevelopment

During the summer break, I explored potential career paths for my future endeavours. As a part of this pursuit, I sought and obtained acceptance into the Bright Network transformative four-day virtual program - IEUK 2024: Finance, Professional Services & Consulting. The program aims to provide an immersive experience by incorporating the following components: Participation in dedicated panel discussions to gain valuable insights into the professional landscape by engaging with authoritative representatives from esteemed organisations. This will enable me to cultivate a profound understanding of the industry and acquire essential tips for navigating the early stages of my career. Involvement in interactive workshops designed to facilitate audience engagement. The program will feature workshops conducted by prominent entities such as Deloitte, PwC, and ICAEW, where I will actively participate in exercises and receive constructive feedback on my performance. An opportunity to interact with Bright Network Alumni, allowing me to glean firsthand experiences from recent graduates about their career trajectories. This will equip me with valuable comprehension of their initial job pursuits, including expectations, effective job search strategies, and best practices for professional presentation. Participation in this four-day virtual program represents a pivotal step in my professional journey. Furthermore, I aspire to leverage this experience to explore additional internships and career prospects in the foreseeable future.

Reflecting on My Summer Internship at EY: A Journey of Growth and Learning As I transition back to college after an enriching summer internship at EY, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey of growth, learning, and professional development. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but also equipped me with invaluable skills and insights that I am eager to bring back to my academic life. Embracing the EY Culture From day one, I was welcomed into a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. EY’s commitment to building a better working world was evident in every project and interaction. The supportive environment, coupled with the guidance of experienced mentors, made it easy to adapt and thrive. Key Learnings and Experiences Real-World Application of Theoretical Knowledge: Working on diverse projects allowed me to apply the theoretical concepts I learned in college to real-world scenarios. Whether conducting financial analyses or participating in strategy sessions, each task reinforced the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry. Developing Technical Skills: The internship provided hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies. I gained proficiency in data analytics and financial modelling which are crucial in today’s business landscape. These technical skills will undoubtedly enhance my academic projects and future career prospects. Building Professional Relationships: One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was the opportunity to network with professionals across different service lines. Enhancing Soft Skills: Beyond technical expertise, the internship honed my soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Collaborating with diverse teams taught me the value of different perspectives and the importance of effective communication in achieving common goals. Understanding Industry Dynamics: Exposure to various industries and clients provided a comprehensive understanding of market trends, challenges, and opportunities. This holistic view of the business world has deepened my interest in pursuing a career in consulting and strategy. Returning to College with a Renewed Perspective As I return to college, I am excited to integrate my internship experiences into my academic journey. The practical knowledge and skills I acquired at EY will undoubtedly enrich my coursework and research projects. Moreover, the professional relationships I built will serve as a valuable resource for future endeavours. I am grateful for the opportunity to intern at EY and for the support of my mentors and colleagues. This experience has been a significant milestone in my career development, and I look forward to leveraging these learnings to make a positive impact in my academic and professional pursuits. #gratitude #EY #learning #growth #journey #intern

Food for Thought for CA students seeking internships- Since it is the time when you select a domain to start your practical exposure with, never make prenotions about any division/area. Before applying anywhere, I’d recommend to seek a guidance from your mentors, who can walk you through a but about each domain and do talk about your areas of interest, so a recruiter can guide you better. Switching profiles later is not easy! Choose wisely!

After an eventful four days, I'd love to share that I have completed the IEUK 2024 Internship Programme held by Bright Network Thank you James Uffindell for warmly introducing us with your decade of experience and Philip Yarrow and Dylan Bone for hosting. I wanted to thank all the employees and guest speakers from PwC, Deloitte, ICAEW, Clyde & Co, Nestlé, BT Group, and Adobe for their eye-opening presentations and share the most important things I took from their learnings. Day 1: 1. Ajay Kabra from PwC giving insightful information in taking on challenges with a growth mindset and taking risks by just going for it. 2. Deloitte's Joao Martins illustrating the power of communication, purpose, feedback,  and skills such as time management and problem solving are key in teams. 3. Zoe Wells/Aidan Ward-Hendry at ICAEW on transferable skills, working in teams through active participation and having IT skills for problem solving. 4. PwC's Charlotte Sangster providing a key session on personal branding and selling ourselves as its importance is monumental to show competency. Day 2: 1. Laura Tye from Clyde & Co with a memorable story about her journey and learning experiences and embracing resilience to grow and evolve in career. 2. British Airways's Victoria Stedman beside Rachel Delaney explaining the mission and vision, the geopolitical conflicts and other factor affecting tasks. 3. Daisy Thompson and Juetong Liang from Nestlé on sustainability and the vital importance of addressing its economic, social and environmental issues. 4. Marie Fukuura from Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I explaining quick and achievable strategies for extensive research in expanding the portfolio. 5. Aileen Nathan from Mondelēz International on the need for storytelling in order to engage emotions, trigger facts, and look after our environment. 6. Charles Frost from Alpha Site, LLC. on sales of human knowledge through codified and human knowledge. Goals and 5 sales profiles as tools to guide. Day 3: 1. BT Group's Sara Jones and her journey teaching her to keep curious, be kind, adapt and change for the better, as failure is inevitable 2. Ryan Mairs and the skills of mental resilience and about not persisting. Adapting and understanding why is key, hence its essential to support others This experience has been invaluable to me and I hope to take it further in my learnings in the future.

From First Class to First-Hand Insights: My Journey So Far! ☀ I am beyond thrilled and grateful to share some significant achievements in my journey 🎊: 🎓 First Class in my 1st Year of Degree - Achieving a First Class in my first year is a testament to my dedication and hard work. It inspires me to keep pushing the boundaries of academic excellence. 💼 Completed the IEUK 2024: Finance, Professional Services, and Consulting On Demand Virtual Internship! This virtual internship was a game-changer, offering me a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience with the sample work given. For instance, for the Audit Simulation work sample given by PwC, I gained insights into critical metrics for auditors, including calculating materiality and conducting company audits. Besides that, here are some of my personal favourite messages that I found insightful from the talks held:  1. Ajay Kabra: Ajay talked about his experience overcoming impostor syndrome until he successfully became a partner at PwC UK. It was truly motivating and relatable. He also highlighted the need and importance of continuous skill development. 2. Joao Martins: Engaged us in a leadership exercise where we developed a course plan including a timeline to advise a high-profile M&A client on a deal, emphasizing communication and problem-solving skills. It was useful to see how leadership and teamwork comes hand in hand to produce high quality work.  3. Zoe Wells & Aidan Ward-Hendry: Shared valuable insights on commercial awareness and people skills. Amazing tips on how to improve on my commercial awareness and make me better prepared for work in the future! This internship has been an incredible opportunity to learn from industry leaders and develop both technical and soft skills. I am excited to apply these learnings in my future endeavors! Thanks for organising this useful programme Bright Network!

Hello LinkedIn! I'm excited to share that, last week, I completed my Winter Externship at PwC! This experience has been invaluable, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a professional setting. During my internship, I had the chance to: 1) Develop my skills in competitive analysis, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of market trends and competive strategies. 2) Refine my research capabilities, learning how to effectively gather and synthesize information to support my personal recommendations. 3) Master the art of time management, juggling multiple high stake projects while meeting deadlines efficiently. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Scott Sears, Erin Brooks, Ashni Shah, and Dipesh Mittal for their mentorship and guidance throughout this internship. Their support and expertise have been instrumental in my professional growth. I'm excited to see what the future holds and leverage the skills I gained at PwC in my future endeavors. #PwC #Extern #Internship #CompetitiveAnalysis #Research #TimeManagement #ThankYou

Though this update comes considerably late, I have opted to still share it, now having had time to reflect on the experience. On the 1st of July, I commenced a 3 week Internship at the esteemed consulting firm Kearney, along with 5 other incredibly perceptive interns. The stated goal of the programme was to provide participants with a first-hand view of the consulting world and the skills it takes to thrive within it. Now I could tell you of the numerous software packages we learnt to use during the time. I could tell you of the consulting-specific skillsets we obtained (such as storylining and how to set up a proposal). I could speak of the many poignant lessons we learnt from our engagements with the full-time staff of the firm. And all of it would be true. But the greatest triumph of this internship was not just in what it taught me about consulting, but what it taught me about myself. During the internship I was forced to contend with uncertainty; as is often the case when presented with a problem that doesn't have just one correct answer. I had to consider my ability to perform as part of a collective, one that often had various views on how to achieve the goal. I had to navigate the corporate environment and the intricacies it entails. I learnt about my interpersonal strengths and weaknesses and the importance of being coachable. I had to confront the balance between confidence and humility; being able to demonstrate intelligence/competence while still acknowledging that there is still more to learn. Finally, I had to learn the importance of EQ in a culture-driven firm such as this one. And in all the aforementioned ways, I am a better professional (and a better person) for having had the opportunity to attend this wonderful internship. To that end, I am grateful to all who made this experience possible including, but not limited to, the Kearney recruitment team, the various mentors offered to us during the period, and the other 5 interns from whom I learnt a great deal.

I am thrilled to share that I've recently completed an enriching internship with the Economic Advisory team at EY. Over the past two months, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of challenging projects that honed my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of public policy and economic advisory. - In-Depth Analysis: I conducted a comprehensive analysis of the time taken, documents required, and the total number of steps across 36 states and UTs for the approval of services as outlined in the BRAP Action Guide. This work not only enhanced my research capabilities but also allowed me to contribute to tangible improvements in the service delivery process. Further, I conducted ITI Trainee Placement analysis to understand the current placement status and the role apprenticeships play for such placements. - Strategic Presentations: I prepared and presented detailed reports and presentations on ITI Trainee Placement and the manufacturing sector in India, providing insights that were pivotal in guiding strategic decisions. Strengths Showcased: - Analytical Prowess: My ability to dissect complex data and extract actionable insights was key to driving strategic recommendations throughout my internship. Whether it was analyzing the nuances of state-level reforms or managing intricate TDS calculations, I consistently applied a data-driven approach to deliver results. - Attention to Detail: In the realm of economic advisory, accuracy is paramount. My meticulous nature ensured that every report and presentation was not only informative but also precise, contributing to the credibility of the work I produced. - Effective Communication: Translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders was a critical aspect of my role. I honed my ability to communicate effectively, whether through written reports or dynamic presentations, ensuring that my analyses had a real impact. - Adaptability and Learning: The fast-paced environment at EY required me to continuously learn and adapt. I embraced each challenge as an opportunity to grow, whether it was mastering new analytical tools or understanding the intricacies of public policy and economic frameworks. I am incredibly grateful to the team at EY for their guidance and support, and I am excited to apply the skills and knowledge I've gained to future opportunities in the field of public policy and economic advisory. #EY #internship #publicpolicy #economicadvisory #TDS #BRAP #professionaldevelopment #careerjourney

For the second consecutive year, PwC have been voted the UK’s number one graduate employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey 2024 which takes into account interviews from over 14,000 final year students across 20 UK universities.   The firm saw over 1,500 graduates and school leavers join over the course of 2024 with over 450 students also completing the summer internship programme.   Alongside this news, PwC have also introduced their Advancing Social Mobility Pathway this year as part of the firms Diversity in Business initiative, helping to boost the confidence and experience of first-year university students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and provide an insight into the opportunities available at PwC.   Read here: https://lnkd.in/eUHzUGPy.