My name is Sean O’Neill, and I am a third-year accounting student at Queen’s University Belfast. I applied for this scholarship when I was in upper sixth in school while studying for my A-levels.
I saw the brochure for the scholarship and thought it was too good to be true. I applied immediately without hesitation, as accounting/finance was something that I was interested in and wanted to pursue a career in.
Receiving this scholarship has been one of the best things to happen to my academic career. The financial support has eased a lot of pressure throughout the year, but even more valuable has been the academic support received from KPMG. Being able to ask my mentor questions and receive real-world examples has helped me achieve top marks in my modules, and that guidance has been invaluable.
The guaranteed place on the summer internship programme has been another important benefit. My own internship experience in the KPMG Belfast office was extremely enjoyable, and it gave me a clear insight into the type of career I want to pursue.
Personally, I think it’s a no-brainer to apply for the scholarship. With KPMG’s help and support, I have thrived in my studies. The scholarship has provided so many opportunities for me.
I am looking forward to starting in the Tax department in KPMG as a trainee accountant in September 2027, and without the scholarship programme, securing a graduate role would have been much more difficult.