EY Careers is introducing the EY Career Residency, a new paid early-career pathway designed to give emerging professionals practical work experience, professional coaching and future-focused skills before they enter full-time employment.
Announced on 17 August 2026, the programme is designed to move beyond the traditional short internship model. Instead of an eight-week internship, EY Career Residency will provide participants with an 8–12 month paid learning and professional development experience combining hands-on client work, coaching and skills development.
The inaugural cohort is expected to launch in January 2028, with applications expected to open in fall 2026.
Opportunity Overview
Programme: EY Career Residency
Organisation: Ernst & Young LLP (EY US)
Location: United States
Duration: 8–12 months
Type: Paid learning and professional experience
Target group: Early-career talent
Launch: January 2028
Applications: Expected to open in fall 2026
What Is the EY Career Residency?
The EY Career Residency is designed as a bridge between academic education and professional employment.
Rather than simply placing students in a short-term internship, EY plans to provide residents with an extended period during which they can gain practical experience while continuing to engage with their academic studies.
Participants will work on meaningful EY assignments while receiving coaching and developing skills that EY considers important for succeeding in an increasingly technology-driven workplace.
The programme is intended to help participants become “day one-ready” professionals by giving them exposure to real workplace situations before they transition into traditional full-time roles.
A Paid Alternative to the Traditional Internship Model
One of the most notable features of the initiative is its duration.
Traditional internships often last only a few weeks. The EY Career Residency, by contrast, is expected to last between eight and 12 months.
During this period, residents will combine:
- Hands-on client experience
- Professional coaching
- Future-focused skills development
- Academic engagement
- Remote and in-person experiences
- Exposure to EY’s professional environment
This extended format is intended to give participants more time to understand professional expectations, develop confidence and demonstrate their capabilities.
Skills Participants Will Develop
EY says residents will develop a combination of technical and human-centred skills.
These include:
- Critical thinking
- Professional judgment
- Curiosity
- AI and technology fluency
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Decision-making
- Workplace professionalism
The programme reflects EY’s view that professionals entering the workforce need more than technical knowledge.
As artificial intelligence and advanced technologies continue to change professional services, employers are increasingly looking for people who can combine technological understanding with judgment, communication, curiosity and trust.
Combining Education With Real-World Experience
The EY Career Residency is structured to allow participants to apply what they learn academically to real-world EY work.
Residents will remain engaged with their academic studies while gaining practical exposure to professional assignments.
This creates an opportunity for participants to understand how concepts learned in classrooms translate into actual business and client environments.
The combination of academic learning and professional experience could also help residents make more informed decisions about their future careers.
Remote and In-Person Experiences
The programme will include a combination of remote and in-person experiences.
This model reflects the changing nature of modern workplaces, where professionals increasingly collaborate across different locations and use digital technologies to deliver work.
Participants will therefore have opportunities to develop not only technical and professional capabilities but also the communication and collaboration skills needed to succeed in flexible working environments.
What Happens After the Residency?
The career pathway does not necessarily end when the residency concludes.
According to EY, participants may have the opportunity to join EY US full-time as analysts, with their elevated entry point reflecting the skills and experience they have developed during the residency.
This could provide successful residents with a transition from structured learning and professional development into a full-time career.
Some participants may also have the opportunity to take part in 360 Careers, a structured experience designed to provide exposure across different areas of EY.
These areas can include:
- Audit
- Tax
- Technology risk
- Other professional specialties
The programme is intended to help participants develop both specialist expertise and a broader understanding of the business.
Participants may also have opportunities to work toward professional qualifications such as the CPA credential, depending on their career pathway and eligibility.
Skills Arcade
Another element of EY’s broader early-career development approach is Skills Arcade, an optional immersive learning experience.
Skills Arcade uses gamified workplace scenarios to help early-career professionals explore how they make decisions, collaborate, learn and adapt.
Participants receive a personalised Skills Card highlighting their strengths and working style.
They can then use these insights through EY-led development sessions to translate their strengths into practical workplace capabilities and future career opportunities.
Who Is the Programme For?
The EY Career Residency is aimed at early-career talent, particularly individuals who want to gain substantial professional experience before entering a traditional full-time role.
The programme may be particularly attractive to students and emerging professionals who want to develop their skills while maintaining an academic connection.
Applicants should monitor EY’s official careers channels for the detailed eligibility requirements once applications open, as the information currently available does not provide a complete list of academic, citizenship or degree-specific requirements.
Application Timeline
EY US is expected to begin accepting applications for the inaugural class of Career Residents in fall 2026.
The first cohort is scheduled to launch in January 2028.
Because the programme is still being introduced, prospective applicants should watch the official EY careers platform for application dates, eligibility requirements, available locations and specific application instructions.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The EY Career Residency represents a different approach to early-career recruitment.
Instead of asking graduates and students to transition directly from classrooms into conventional entry-level roles, the programme provides an extended period of paid professional learning and practical experience.
For participants, this could mean entering the workforce with greater confidence, stronger professional judgment and a clearer understanding of how organisations operate.
The opportunity is also particularly relevant in an era when AI is transforming professional services. EY is placing emphasis on both AI and technology fluency and distinctly human capabilities such as curiosity, judgment, collaboration and communication.
For ambitious students and emerging professionals interested in professional services, consulting, assurance, tax, technology and related fields, the programme could provide a valuable foundation for a long-term career.
Key Details
Programme: EY Career Residency
Duration: 8–12 months
Paid: Yes
Format: Remote and in-person experiences
Target: Early-career professionals
Applications: Expected Fall 2026
Cohort launch: January 2028
Organisation: EY US
