Intern Insights 2026
with Ellen Curran
From Week 1 to Week 12: Reflections on My Time at Deloitte
From winning the Female Undergraduate of the Year to a Deloitte Summer Internship.
Ellen Curran shares her experience as a Deloitte Summer Intern
How I Got the Internship
I started my career with a Sustainability Intern position with RPS Tetra Tech in Dún Laoghaire that summer, which proved to be a fantastic learning experience and reinforced my interest in pursuing a consulting career.
At the same time, I had applied for the Female Leadership Undergraduate of the Year Award through Grad Ireland, which was sponsored by Deloitte. In April 2025, I was fortunate enough to win the award in recognition of my contribution to UCD's sustainability initiatives, as well as my volunteering and extracurricular achievements.
As part of the prize for winning the award, I was offered a summer internship with Deloitte. Looking back, I am so glad that I got to experience both internships because I learned so much about what I wanted from my career.
Starting the Journey
From day one, I felt so welcomed. The internship began with an excellent induction and training programme led by Kevin McDonnell, which provided a great introduction to the firm and helped me settle in quickly. Throughout the first week, we took part in workshops, team activities, and networking sessions that allowed us to get to know both Deloitte and our fellow interns.
By the end of the first couple of days, I had already made great friends and developed a strong understanding of the firm's culture, values, and what to expect over the summer.
Learning and Development
Deloitte's internship programme places a strong emphasis on professional development, with countless opportunities to learn throughout the summer, from Skills4Life workshops and Lunch & Learns to the Intern Leadership Boost.
Every activity offered valuable insights and practical skills that I can carry forward in my career, and some of my favourite sessions focused on personal branding, intelligent automation and design thinking. I also had the opportunity to attend a Toastmasters presentation skills workshop, which I found particularly valuable, as developing confidence in communication and public speaking is something that will benefit me throughout my career regardless of role or industry.
The People Who Made the Experience Special
One thing that stood out to me immediately was Deloitte's commitment to creating a positive and supportive culture. Every person I met during my internship, from fellow interns to partners, was welcoming, approachable, and generous with their time.
At the beginning of the internship, each intern was assigned a buddy, a peer-level colleague who could answer questions and help us navigate life at Deloitte. My buddy made a huge effort to get to know me, check in regularly, and ensure I felt supported throughout the summer.
We were also assigned a People Leader, who provided career guidance and acted as an invaluable source of advice. Regular check-ins gave me the opportunity to reflect on my progress, discuss my goals, and gain valuable feedback.
Beyond these formal supports, I received fantastic mentorship from my wider team. I always felt comfortable asking questions, seeking advice, or looking for guidance when needed.
Community and Social Events
Community and social events were a big part of what made my summer at Deloitte so fun and rewarding. I took part in a wide range of social, networking, leadership, volunteering and inclusion activities, from the OS All Hands and Flight Club social to the Green Beat Festival at the RDS. Deloitte’s commitment to inclusion really stood out through events like the Pride Brunch, which I helped set up as part of the Pride Network. The Intern Leadership Boost in Croke Park was another highlight, with inspiring speakers, workshops and a social event afterwards. We also participated in Social Impact Day; I worked with Age Action Ireland to support older people with digital literacy, which was a particularly meaningful experience.
My Biggest Takeaways
This internship has given me a much deeper understanding of how consulting projects operate, how different workstreams come together, and how consultants create value for their clients.
I developed technical skills in areas such as data analysis, problem solving, and project delivery. Equally importantly, I strengthened many of the soft skills that are essential in consulting, including communication, relationship management, leadership, time management, and adaptability.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is the importance of being proactive. Deloitte is an environment full of opportunities, but it is up to you to seek them out. Whether it is volunteering for a project, attending an event, or connecting with someone new, taking initiative can open doors and accelerate your learning.
Advice for Future Interns
If I could offer a few pieces of advice to future interns, they would be:
- Ask questions. No one expects you to know everything. Be curious, ask for clarification when needed, make sure to listen and take note of the answers.
- Be curious. Explore different areas of the business, seek out opportunities that interest you, and don't be afraid to ask to get involved.
- Take initiative. Be proactive in looking for work, volunteering for tasks, and contributing wherever you can.
- Say yes to opportunities. Some of the best experiences come from opportunities you did not originally plan for.
- Attend social events. They are a huge part of the experience and a great way to build lasting friendships and professional connections.
- Build relationships across teams. Your network is one of your most valuable resources, so take every opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and areas of the business.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes. You are there to learn. Mistakes are part of the process, as long as you take ownership, learn from them, and continue to improve.
Looking Back
Looking back on the summer, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Deloitte.
The combination of meaningful project work, continuous learning, supportive colleagues, and memorable experiences has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Most importantly, the internship has reinforced my passion for consulting and given me valuable insights into the kind of career I hope to build in the future.I leave the experience with new skills, greater confidence, lifelong friendships!
Summer Internships at Deloitte
A summer Internship at Deloitte kickstarts your journey within our prestigious Future Leaders Academy, as the first step in Deloitte’s award-winning graduate programme.
