Ernst & Young Intern Conference

This past winter, I was lucky enough to do an internship in Ernst & Young's tax group in the Salt Lake City office. Most students do an accounting internship during the summer, but because Salt Lake is such a small group, they only hire interns for the winter tax busy season (January to April). I loved the people I worked with and had a great experience. At the end of the internship, I received an offer to join the firm full-time after I graduate - we are so grateful that I already have a job lined up more than a year before I graduate, especially in this economy.

Every summer, E&Y holds a conference in Orlando, Florida for all the interns. Even though I wasn't currently an intern at the time of the conference, I was invited to attend. So I packed my bags, kissed the hubby goodbye, and off to Florida I went!

It was nice to get away from school for a few days, but it was sad to leave Michael behind. We decided it would be worth it for me to go because E&Y put me back on the payroll for the week. :)

Let me tell you...Florida in August is HOT HOT HOT and sooo HUMID!! Literally, I would get all ready in the morning and by the time I made it to the conference center (about a five minute walk) I would feel like I needed to shower again - I would be sweaty and my hair would be hopelessly flat. 

The hotel was set up with different buildings of rooms that surrounded a "lake". It was different that anything I have been to before, but so beautiful!

Over 2,000 people were in attendance, so there was lots of excitement all the time. It was amazing that they were able to accomidate that many people with hotel rooms, meals, etc. The week consisted of large general sessions (all 2,000 attendees in one room!), lots of yummy meals, break-out classes in smaller groups, a "team challenge", and a night at the Disney World parks! 

One night they let the interns loose in the parks - I am so grateful that BYU has such a presence in the accounting world because it makes events like this so much better! I automatically have friends that share my  same culture and values. My good friend Anne has been such a blessing through my accounting experience. We both were interns at Caselle in Provo after our junior year, and then we both were interns for E&Y together in Salt Lake. We have gone to all the trainings, etc. together, and she has been so fun to have around!

Most people were so shocked when they realized I was married and that we don't drink at BYU. It was the most popular topic with my peers during meals. I had kinda forgotten that BYU is different in that way! I really enjoyed the opportunity to share the gospel and talk about how important the family and the Word of Wisdom is to me. It was really funny to hear what some people's assumptions were about BYU students.

My group for the team challenge was the "Beam Team" - it was basically a day of EFY without the spiritual aspect.

A few of the BYU interns from offices across the country.