Quinn Internship Programmes

The Year Long Internship Programme is an optional programme open to penultimate-year Bachelor of Commerce, BSc Economics and Finance and BSc Business students. During the programme students will register for a year-long online reflective module designed to enhance the learning opportunities available throughout the year. Assessment will be structured on the work-based learning experience during the 9-12 months paid work placement. By choosing this option, successful candidates increase the duration of their degree to four years.

Employers have the opportunity to partner with the UCD Quinn School on both the: 

• Year-Long Internship Programme and the 
• UCD Quinn Summer Programmes 

To discuss internship opportunities or to find out more, please contact us at quinninternships@ucd.ie.

I undertook my placement with Interpath Advisory, joining the Dublin office when the firm was just establishing its presence in Ireland. Being part of a small, agile team allowed me to work closely with Managers and Associate Directors. This hands-on exposure was invaluable, fast-tracking my development and immersing me fully in the world of finance.

After an intense and rewarding 13 months in Dublin, I transitioned to Interpath London’s Debt Advisory & Value Creation team in London for a summer Internship. London’s reputation as a global finance hub proved true, where the scale of clients was unlike anything I had seen before. Being part of this dynamic environment challenged me to think bigger.

Equally important was Interpath’s social culture. Whether it was weekly run club, summer socials, or team dinners, it meant that it was not always just about work. 

 The 15 months provided a level of commercial awareness that uniquely blended academia with real-world practice. 

The internship experience has been an invaluable opportunity for me!

Being a Financial Analyst (Operations) intern at Microsoft this year, I was able to learn so many new skills and technologies through all of my projects. I discovered what areas I would like to focus on in my future career, and also what areas I didn't enjoy so much - which is valuable information for me as I prepare to go into my final year.

Apart from work, I was also able to get involved in Microsoft 'societies' that allowed me to build my network, make connections, and get involved with driving the Microsoft culture of diversity & inclusion - which has definitely been a huge highlight for me this year. 

What you learn, in terms of both work and your soft skills, is so beneficial and sets you up for success after you graduate. I would highly recommend taking the internship opportunity. It is a true differentiator and will be a great addition to your experience! 

From day one, KPMG provided me with a structured and comprehensive training program that equipped me with the necessary technical knowledge and skills required for the role. The firm's commitment to professional development ensured that I had access to a wide range of resources. This ensured I was able to contribute effectively to client engagements.

One aspect that truly stood out during my internship was the emphasis on collaboration and teamwork. KPMG fostered a culture of inclusivity, where all team member’s ideas and perspectives were valued. I had numerous opportunities to work on complex projects, collaborating with colleagues from various departments. This exposure not only enhanced my technical abilities but also honed my interpersonal and communication skills, which are crucial in a client-facing role.

My 9-month transfer pricing internship at KPMG Ireland was an incredible learning journey. It provided me with invaluable professional development, exposure to diverse clients, and a supportive network of colleagues. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I received and the knowledge I gained during my time at KPMG, which I am confident will shape my future career in transfer pricing and beyond. 

I completed a 12-month internship in Primark’s HQ as a Trainee Merchandiser. My role as a Trainee Merchandiser was to ensure we get the right product, in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantities. This involved the merchandising and buying teams working closely together to develop ranges to send to over 400 stores globally. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Primark. I was given an immense amount of responsibility which was key to my development throughout the year. I gained a wide breadth of skills, both professionally and personally. 

I feel excited heading back to my final year knowing I have found what I love to do! I would highly recommend taking up the opportunity to participate in the internship year offered by the Quinn School, the experience will be invaluable to both your studies and your professional career. 

I completed my internship in the Audit & Assurance department of Deloitte Ireland. I found the experience very beneficial. I learnt how the industry works in real life and how to apply the knowledge that I learned in the classroom to the working world. I feel I developed my personal and professional skills during my internship. My time management skills and communication have also improved as I needed to work with different teams to meet deadlines.

I am delighted that I decided to complete this internship. I feel I have gained experience and exposure which were completely different from university life. I will make use of the experiences that I gained and the skills that I developed in my future career journey and would highly recommend to anyone to complete the internship programme if possible.

I chose to take part in the internship year to experience ‘real time’ learning in an active workplace. I interned in Northwell Health where I was able to apply the theories I studied during my course to a vibrant company setting. Northwell Health offered a unique experience by structuring my internship into three stages.  I spent time in government relations, hospital finance and business development. 

This year long internship afforded me to the opportunity to complete my work placement abroad in the USA. I benefitted enormously from a move to a large city like New York. I had to embrace a new job, a new city, a new culture and arduous journey into the world of property. The year also offered me the chance to improve my interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. I was given responsibility for a variety of tasks. I was required to understand and navigate financial statements and their link to the operational side of the business. The experience was extremely rewarding and affirming, as were the projects for which I had complete responsibility eliciting change.

I would highly recommend the internship year to any student. It was a superb opportunity to improve my skills including networking, communication, organisation and most importantly, the language of professionalism. The internship year allows a student time and space to grow and development their strengths and to work on their weaknesses through positive feedback.