EY Extends Internships Into Yearlong Residencies Amid AI Shifts

The new Career Residency program invites assurance interns to remain with the firm for 8 to 12 months following their initial summer or winter stint. Participants will work part-time remotely while finishing their college degrees, engaging in personalized coaching and simulations designed to sharpen critical thinking and professional skepticism. This model addresses a fundamental shift in the consulting ladder: as AI assumes responsibility for drafting proposals and synthesizing data, junior staff must pivot toward interpreting insights and shaping client outcomes from their first day on the job.

According to Ginnie Carlier, EY Americas’ chief talent and culture officer, the initiative serves as a catalyst for a broader overhaul of the firm’s recruitment and development lifecycle. Successful participants will bypass the standard staff entry point, joining the firm instead as analysts with higher responsibilities and adjusted compensation. With EY receiving over 24,000 applications from CPA-track students last year, the residency provides a structured path to ensure new hires are equipped to navigate a professional services landscape that prioritizes impact over traditional progression.