EY is extending the traditional internship model, giving some college students up to another year of paid work and training before they join the firm full time, according to Business Insider.
The Big Four accounting firm is launching a paid career residency for assurance interns. After completing the usual eight-week internship, participants can continue working part time for EY remotely for another eight to 12 months while taking college classes.
The program will include coaching, skills development and work on EY projects. Students who successfully complete the residency and receive full-time offers would join EY as analysts rather than staff, potentially taking on more responsibility from the start.
EY said it received more than 24,000 applications from CPA-track students over the past year and made 2,400 internship offers. Applications rose 33% between 2025 and 2026.
AI is changing what young workers need to learn
EY says the longer program reflects changes in professional services, where AI is taking over some of the routine work traditionally assigned to junior employees. Instead of spending as much time assembling presentations, drafting proposals and synthesizing information, entry-level workers are increasingly expected to apply judgment, interpret information and communicate recommendations.
The residency will focus on skills including critical thinking, professional skepticism, judgment, collaboration and communication through simulations and real client work.
EY Americas Chief Talent and Culture Officer Ginnie Carlier said the firm had been considering changes to its internship model before generative AI became prominent, but that the technology accelerated the effort.
For EY, the longer runway is designed to help students build skills before they enter full-time roles, while giving the firm more time to assess and develop potential hires.
