EY Extends Internship to a Year with Paid Career Residency
EY is launching a paid Career Residency program that keeps assurance interns employed part-time for 8 to 12 months beyond their traditional eight-week internship. Participants will work remotely on real EY projects during their final year of college.
How It Works
Upon completion and receiving an offer, residents join as analysts, starting at a higher level than new consultants typically begin. The program focuses on developing skills like judgment, professional skepticism, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication through simulations and live EY work rather than traditional coursework.
A Catalyst for Change
While AI has made its impact, EY notes that the idea for this program predates generative AI. However, the technology has served as a catalyst for reconsidering the internship model.
The New Normal
The residency means entry into the profession now involves an eight-week internship followed by up to a year of part-time work before a permanent job offer. This is in contrast to PwC's approach of hiring fewer consultants as AI takes over similar tasks.
Benefits for Students
EY received over 24,000 applications from students on the CPA track last year and saw a 33% increase in applications compared to the previous year. The residency offers an alternative path, lengthening the intake period rather than reducing it.
What the Future Holds
The next two years will reveal whether this approach produces better juniors or merely delays the moment firms decide their needs for entry-level staff.
By Alina Maria Stan
Alina Maria Stan builds connections that people actually feel. As co-founder and COO of Tekpon, she turns product intuition into real moments of discovery, shaping how teams find and adopt SaaS every day. Since 2020, she has led Tekpon’s brand voice, media strategy, and growth plays with a clear focus on human outcomes behind every metric.
Before Tekpon, Alina followed her curiosity across industries and countries, serving as CEO of King Casino Bonus and leading affiliate and brand strategy.