Meet Harriette, a Life Sciences Intern at Accenture

Length of your internship and when you began: 7 Month Internship – from January to August

College course: BSc in Psychology and Disruptive Technologies in DCU

What drew you to this company when you were seeking an internship?

As someone studying a psychology-focused degree, I felt that Accenture was offering an alternative to the typical placement options offered to us, and this really appealed to me. I have always been more interested in applied psychology, rather than clinical, and this internship provided the opportunity for me to explore what psychology can look like within a global professional services setting. This was something I didn’t see offered elsewhere for psychology students.

Another aspect that drew me to Accenture was because of the company’s focus on harnessing AI to transform businesses, I saw it as an extremely valuable and relevant organisation to gain experience in which would also allow me to play into my study of disruptive technologies.

What expectations did you have before you began your internship?

I went into this internship with only a few expectations, especially because I had no previous background in business or consulting and wasn’t entirely sure what to my day-to-day role would look like. However, I did enter this internship with the hope of gaining an insight into the different types of work being done in Accenture and having the opportunity to develop my professional skills.

I was also hoping to explore how my interests in both psychology and technology could be applied in a professional setting. Knowing Accenture's reputation for innovation and its focus on emerging technologies, I felt it would be a place where I could gain meaningful experience, challenge myself and learn more about where my skills and interests might fit within a large global organisation.

Can you describe a typical day in your role? How does it compare to the expectations you spoke about in the previous question?

My day-to-day schedule varied quite a lot depending on the projects I was involved in and the tasks I was focusing on. My time could be spent in team meetings, conducting research, completing training, supporting and attending project discussions, creating deliverables or collaborating with colleagues across different tasks. The variety of work meant that I was constantly learning something new and being exposed to different ways of thinking and working. My expectations were all exceeded when it came to my role, which allowed me to gain relevant experience and develop professionally, while my position within Life Sciences gave me an amazing insight into the interactions between creativity, innovation, technology and customer service.

Did the scope of your work change as the internship progressed? 

Yes, my role and responsibilities definitely developed as the internship progressed. At the beginning I spent a lot of time getting my feet grounded, meeting new people, learning about the company and becoming comfortable with my role in the team. As the weeks went by and I settled into my role, I was able to take on more responsibilities and take more ownership over my tasks. 

As I became more familiar with the organisation, I branched out, collaborating and supporting my team members on various tasks, as well as reaching out to different areas of the company to see where I could get involved, gaining a wider range of experiences which were relevant to my degree. Although my role didn’t change over the course of my internship, the work I was doing, as well as my approach to the work developed as I gained more experience.

Has this internship made you feel as though you’re on the right career path, or are you going be pursuing a different field afterwards? 

Yes, this internship has definitely made me feel like I am on the right path. I wasn't sure going into the placement if consulting was something I would be interested in pursuing long-term, but over the past seven months I have really enjoyed the variety of work, the opportunity to solve different problems and the chance to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines.

At the same time, the experience has shown me that my interests in psychology and technology can have practical applications in a business environment. Whether I continue within consulting or not, this internship has given me confidence that I want to pursue a career where I can combine an understanding of people with innovation and emerging technologies.

How has your internship made you feel more prepared for working life? 

This internship has helped me become much more confident in a professional environment. I have developed stronger communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, as well as learning how to manage my time effectively across multiple projects and priorities. I have also become more comfortable presenting ideas, contributing in meetings and collaborating with people across different teams.

Beyond practical skills, I have learned the importance of taking initiative and being adaptable. Working in a fast-paced environment taught me that there is always something new to learn, and that seeking out opportunities and asking questions can often lead to some of the most valuable experiences and personal growth.

What are the things about this company that you would recommend to others looking for an internship, such as culture, benefits, workload, etc?

One of the things I would recommend most about Accenture is the people and the culture. Throughout my internship everyone was incredibly supportive, approachable and willing to share their knowledge. As an intern, I always felt encouraged to ask questions and get involved. In particular the Accenture Song Life Sciences team always made me feel welcome, encouraged me to do well and made me feel part of the team from the very beginning.

I would also recommend Accenture because of the variety of opportunities available. There are countless projects, industries and teams to learn from, allowing interns to gain exposure to a wide range of experiences. If you are curious, proactive and willing to step outside your comfort zone, it is a great place to develop professionally and discover what areas interest you most.