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  Katie

Katie

MBA school: Wake Forest University, School of Business
Undergraduate degree: Kinesiology, The College of William and Mary
Office: Charlotte
EY business group and specialty: Advisory — Financial Services Office — Financial Services Risk Management
Rank: Senior
Time with EY: 13 months

What was the transition from business school to Ernst & Young LLP like?

The transition went smoothly. Before my first day, I was assigned a peer advisor and a formal mentor, or “counselor,” who really helped me acclimate to life at Ernst & Young. During my first week on the job, I attended firm-wide orientation, as well as training specific to my service line. Ernst & Young does a great job giving all new hires the tools they need to be successful. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and happy to make you feel like part of the team.

Which MBA courses have helped you the most since joining Ernst & Young?

Business school prepared me extremely well for a career in Financial Services Office (FSO) Advisory. Although all of my MBA classes offered challenging coursework, and the opportunity to work in teams (which is fundamental for success at Ernst & Young), I took a Capital Markets class which proved to be very relevant to my current role. We explored the organization of financial markets and the impact of the new regulatory reform agenda, and the work gave me valuable industry perspective.

What was Ernst & Young’s interview process like for you?

It was an exciting and informative experience. When I travelled to Charlotte for the final round of interviews, I had the chance to meet with multiple senior managers and partners. I left the interviews feeling that I really got to know what life would be like working for the company. After I was extended an offer, many of my future colleagues contacted me to welcome me to Ernst & Young. I can honestly say that I felt like part of the team before I started the job.

What has been your favorite project or client experience so far?

I have been fortunate to participate in many great projects during my first year at Ernst & Young. But my favorite client experience so far was assisting a leading US bank with the development of its resolution plan, or “living will,” as required by the Dodd-Frank Act It was a remarkable learning experience to participate in a project so early in my career that touched every part of the bank.

Why did you choose Ernst & Young?

After business school, my goal was to join an organization that was truly committed to engaging and developing people to reach their potential. Because I was focused on finding a challenging work environment within the financial services industry, FSO Advisory at Ernst & Young LLP was the perfect fit. From my first day on the job, I realized Ernst & Young was a special place to work. The organization has a team-oriented, collaborative culture that is very distinctive in the consulting industry.

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